Marion Correctional Institution

County: McDowell

Inmate capacity: 806

Inmate gender: Male

Custody level: Close/Minimum

Staff size: 400

Occupancy: 1995

Administrator: Sid Harkleroad

Marion Correctional Institution

Mailing Address:
Box 2405
Marion NC 28752

Street Address:
Marion NC 28752

Phone: 828-659-7810
Fax: 828-652-0115

Facility #3730
Courier # 12-91-07

Marion Correctional Institution

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.

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 North Carolina prisons to achieve accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA). In order to achieve accreditation, a facility must meet 62 mandatory standards and at least 90 percent of the 468 non-mandatory standards. MCI was 100 percent compliant with the mandatory standards and 98.85 percent with the non-mandatory standards. This achievement is a considerable honor among correctional facilities and means that our standards are among the highest in the nation.

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

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.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 40 west to N.C. 226 (exit 86 Marion/Shelby) and drive south about one mile. Turn right onto the Old Glenwood road, the prison access road is one quarter mile on the left.