Wayne was established in 1978, when the Department of Human Resources Cherry Hospital transferred the old Purser Building to the Department of Correction. After extensive renovations, the prison received its first inmates in May 1979. For the next two years Wayne housed male youth felons who were first offenders. In 1987, the General Assembly provided for a correction substance abuse program.
Inmates work with professional staff and peer counselors.
DART relies heavily on the principles of Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous with group meetings available in the evenings. Wayne Community College works with the prison to provide classes for adult education and preparation for the GED tests. Inmates may be assigned to work on a Department of Transportation road in Wayne or Lenoir counties or as maintenance or kitchen help at the prison. From Raleigh, take U.S. 70 to Goldsboro and turn right onto O'Berry Center Road. Drive until it ends and take a left onto Old Smithfield Road which will take you to a stoplight.