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North Carolina Department of Correction |
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Marion Correctional Institution |
Mailing Address:
Street Address:
Facility #3730 |
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Marion Correctional Institution is a close
custody institution for adult males. The Prison was established as a result of
the $200 million prison construction bond referendum approved by North Carolina
voters in 1990.
The prison was funded in two stages. The first 520 cells were funded in July
1991 and reauthorized in July 1992 as part of a $30 million construction project
in the $103 million prison construction program. During the 1994 special
session, the General Assembly provided $5,358,900 for construction of a 192 cell
housing unit addition.
In 1991, the McDowell County Commissioners purchased 125 acres formerly known as
the Carl Holland farm in the Rocky Pass community and donated the property to
the Department of Correction for construction of the prison.
Grading of the site began in March 1992 and construction was completed in
January 1995. Inmate housing assignments began in June 1995. Marion was
originally designed as a 660-bed medium security adult male prison, but was
redesigned as a close and medium security prison with a capacity for 930 inmates
because the state needed more high security prison cells.
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Marion Correctional Institution (MCI) currently operates as a combination close/minimum custody facility with a housing capacity of 806 inmates. Five-hundred ninety six (596) beds are for regular population and one-hundred sixteen (116) are segregation beds. This facility houses adult male felons and is operated under the Unit Management concept. The minimum security unit (MSU) houses 94 inmates. |
There are approximately 400 staff members who work at MCI. Staff is well trained in all areas of corrections and can apply to attend additional, career enhancing training. The computer training center for the Western Region is on-site at Marion Correctional Institution.
Inmates are assigned to Marion Correctional Institution based on classification, reassignment, demotion in custody, administrative transfer from another close custody prison or segregation housing needs and program needs.
McDowell Technical Community College works with
the prison to provide academic and vocational classes. Courses include adult
education and preparation for the GED tests, information systems, industrial
sewing, cabinet making and horticulture. Inmates may also participate in the
Outreach Program through UNC-Chapel Hill and earn college credits.
In an effort to assist inmates in bettering themselves, Cognitive Behavior
Intervention classes are offered. Inmates may participate in courses such as
Character Education, Reasoning and Rehabilitation, and Thinking for a Change.
These courses offer inmates a different way of thinking their way through
problems and offer them alternative thought processes to moral dilemmas faced by
us all everyday.
Besides program opportunities offered to inmates,
they are offered job training. Inmates can be assigned to a variety of work
programs that include positions in a Correctional Enterprises sewing plant. This
plant manufactures clothing for the division of Prisons as well as other state
agencies. Prisoners work in two shifts of 60 each. Other opportunities include
maintenance positions, recreational positions, kitchen work, janitorial, etc.
Prisoners housed at MMSU are afforded the opportunity to work on-site or back in
the community, where they provide services at no cost to taxpayers. Community
Work Squads perform short term, manual labor tasks under the supervision of a
correctional officer for state and local agencies. Litter Squads go throughout
the area keeping the roadsides and landscape clean and green. These services
have provided a substantial savings to the taxpayers of McDowell County. Anyone
operating a state vehicle is welcome to stop at the carwash station located at
MMSU.
The most recent service extended to the county is the New Leash on Life Program.
This rescues dogs from the animal shelter that otherwise, would be euphemized
and puts them through an extensive 8 week obedience training program provided by
trained inmates at MMSU. Once they have “graduated”, they are adopted into
caring families.
Another money saving measure that was undertaken in 2004 was to have Marion
Correctional Institution annexed into the city limits of Marion. This has
resulted in substantially lower water and sewer costs and allowed these monies
to be spent in other area.
During 2008, Marion
Correctional Institution was among 10
In an effort to assist the Hispanic inmate population, Marion Correctional
Institution offers English as a Second Language classes. This enables these
inmates to better function in our system, and hopefully, upon their release back
into society.
Many of the programs that are offered are done so with the assistance of
Community Volunteers. These programs include structured recreational activities,
Prison Fellowship, Yokefellows, substance abuse counseling, anger management,
religions programs/activities, and self-improvement programs. Our volunteers
undergo training prior to being allowed to work with our inmate population and
through their dedicated efforts we are able to offer the additional programs.
Together with our staff chaplains, worship services for all faith groups are
offered as well as supportive counseling.
An important aspect to be addressed while incarcerated is visits with family and friends.
Visitation
will be by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled by calling
828-659-8559. Appointments can be made Monday-Friday from 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 3
p.m., excluding state observed holidays. Appointments can be made up to 10 days
in advance, but no less than 48 hours prior to the schedule visitation time. The
following schedule will be utilized:
Tuesday-Non-contact Visits for Security
Threat Group Members and Administrative Non-contact
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday-Non-contact
Visits for Inmate housed in Segregation
8:30 - 9:30 a.m
1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Saturday-Regular Population Inmates
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Inmates housed on upper D-unit, E-unit, and F-unit
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Inmates housed on lower D-unit and H-unit
Visits will not occur on holidays. In the event the scheduled
visitation day falls on a holiday, an alternate day will be selected to visit.
Adequate notice will be given to inmates and posted throughout the visitation
area.
Note: Inmates housed at the Minimum Custody Unit will visit
on Sunday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. No appointment is
necessary to visit at the Minimum Custody Unit
Visitors should arrive at the Gatehouse at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visitation time, bring proper ID, and will be subjected to a "routine" search of their personal and possessions prior to the visit.
10 North Carolina prisons earn national accreditation 8/13/2008
Inmates and dogs getting a New Leash on Life 7/7/2004
Marion minimum security unit dedicates new chapel 4/2/2003
Sid Harkleroad to lead Marion Correctional Institution, 9/1/01
Marion inmates do repair work at local children's home, 11/00
Poteat, Franklin take Marion work program to the next level, 1/99
Prisoners renovate and expand Old Fort police station, 9/98
Marion Correctional Institution Inmates Renovate Building for Schools, 8/96
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