In the 1970's, the former state prison at Dobson was put to use as an education facility for inmates from Yadkin and Stokes Correctional Center. At Dobson, Surry Community College provides vocational classes in light construction and automotive repair. Classes are also offered in computer literacy, adult education and preparation for the GED tests. Prison Mental Health services offers a Relapse Prevention Program for Sex Offenders at Dobson. Today, Yadkin and Forsyth correctional centers bus inmates to Dobson for these programs.
Inmates work in a number of jobs.
They may be assigned to community work squads where a correctional officer supervises the squads in short term, manual labor for local and state agencies, Department of Transportation road crews or contract work for local government agencies. Inmates may also be assigned to maintenance, janitorial or kitchen duties. Several groups volunteer at the prison including the Community Resource Council, Yokefellows and Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and religious groups. The prison is about one mile southeast of Yadkinville on Shacktown Road. All rights reserved.