Carteret Correctional Center

Carteret Correctional Center, near Newport, is a minimum security prison for adult males.

Carteret was established in 1938 with portable housing units for sleeping quarters. The prison's original dormitory was built in 1948. While the prisons operated under the State Highway and Public Works Commission from the 1930's to the 1950's, Carteret served as a medium security prison. Offenders worked part of the prison's 88.12 acres as a farm and raised hogs to provide food until 1961.

In 1987, lawmakers provided two 50-bed dormitories and a multipurpose building as part of a $28.5 million Emergency Prison Facilities Development program. Two more 50-bed dormitories were provided as part of a $87.5 million prison construction program authorized in 1993.

Carteret Community College works with the prison to provide vocational classes in horticulture and for the developmentally disabled. Classes for adult education and preparation for the GED are also offered.

Offenders work in a number of jobs. They may be assigned to the community work program, Department of Transportation road crews, or work under contract for local government agencies. Offenders may also be assigned for maintenance or kitchen duties. Offenders nearing the end of their sentence may participate in work release, leaving the prison for the part of the day to work for a business in the community.

Offenders may participate in study release or substance abuse treatment programs or the Horticulture Program