Odeom Correctional Institution

County: Northampton

Inmate capacity: 376

Inmate gender: Male

Custody level: Minimum

Staff size: 291

Occupancy: 1961

Administrator: John Vaughan

Odom Correctional Institution

Mailing Address:
485 Odom Prison Road
Jackson NC 27845

Street Address:
485 Odom Prison Road
Jackson NC 27845

Phone: 252-534-5611
Fax: 252-574-2012

Facility #3310
Courier # 10-02-16

NC State Seal

In 1958, the state paid $67,500 for 2,200 acres of farm land in Northampton County across the Roanoke River from Caledonia Prison farm. The parcel of land, known locally as Odom Farm, had been owned by the Odom family for years before its sale to the state and the establishment of Odom Correctional Institution at the site in 1961.

The state first used the tract as a farm worked by inmates who were bused daily from the old Northampton prison and from Caledonia Correctional Institution. The farm is still in use today, but is farmed privately - without inmate labor.

Odom Correctional Institution was built to replace the old Northampton Prison located north of Jackson. Construction was completed in 1961 on the 300-bed prison to provide inmates with physical or mental infirmities meaningful work in a healthy farm setting.

Midway through construction, the department's needs changed and modifications were made to provide for the housing of close custody male felons. Today, Odom houses medium custody felon inmates.

The prison's main building consists of an east and west wing. The east wing has 144 single cells, 24 of which are designated for administrative/disciplinary segregation, built in 1980 and the west wing has dormitory housing built in 1961. Support buildings house recreation and vocational areas.

Inmates may work a variety of jobs around the prison such as janitorial, maintenance and food service. Others may be assigned to medium custody road squads.

Roanoke-Chowan Community College works with the prison to provide continuing education in carpentry and vocational classes in building construction, HVAC and plumbing. Classes also are offered in business administration.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-95 to Roanoke Rapids and then travel east on U.S. 158 to Jackson. At Jackson, turn right onto SR 1108, Bryantown Road, and travel 4 miles to Boone's Crossroads. Then turn right onto SR 1131 and unit is about a half mile down the road.