Foothills Correctional Institution is a prison located in Morganton, North Carolina. It is a medium-security prison that houses offenders in close custody between the ages of 18-25 years old. The prison also has a detached Minimum Custody Unit located behind Western Youth Institution.
The prison was opened on May 2, 1994, and covers an area of 180 acres. In 2019, Teresa Jardon was named the new warden of the Foothills Correctional Institution. She had previously been the operations manager for the Division of Prisons’ western region. The prison has been in the news recently due to an escape by minimum custody offender John Curtis Anderson in August 2021.
| Security | Minimum |
| Capacity | 858 |
| Physical Address | 5150 Western Ave. Morganton, NC 28655 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 828-438-5585 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Location and History
Foothills Correctional Institution is a correctional facility located on 180 acres of land, 3.5 miles south of Morganton, North Carolina. The prison is adjacent to Western Youth Institution. It is the only facility in North Carolina that houses male inmates seventeen years of age or younger. The first offenders entered the prison on May 2, 1994.
The prison is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The facility is surrounded by a perimeter fence and contains several housing units, a medical unit, a cafeteria, and a chapel. The prison also has a detached Minimum Custody Unit, located behind Western Youth Institution.
Foothills Correctional Institution was built to provide a safe and secure environment for youthful offenders and adult male inmates. The facility offers programs and services designed to help inmates acquire the skills and knowledge they need to successfully reintegrate into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Over the years, Foothills Correctional Institution has undergone several changes and improvements. In 2019, Teresa Jardon was named the new warden of the prison. Jardon had been the operations manager for the Division of Prisons’ western region. In 2023, Harold Reep was named the new warden of the prison. Reep most recently served as the compliance manager for the prison system’s western region.
Facilities
Foothills Correctional Institution, located in Morganton, NC, is a male-only correctional facility that provides close and minimum custody housing for up to 858 offenders. The facility opened in 1994 and has since been providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates.
Offender Housing
The facility has 712 single cells for close custody housing that provide a secure and controlled environment for inmates. The cells are designed to accommodate one inmate and are equipped with a bed, a desk, and a toilet. The cells are designed to provide privacy and comfort for the inmates while ensuring their safety and security.
Administrative Building
The administrative building of the facility houses the offices of the administration, including the warden’s office, the deputy warden’s office, and other administrative staff. The building also houses the visiting room, where inmates can meet with their families and friends.
Recreation and Dining Areas
The facility has a recreation area that includes an outdoor basketball court, a weight room, and a walking track. Inmates are allowed to use the recreational facilities during their free time. The dining area of the facility is designed to provide nutritious meals to the inmates. The meals are prepared by the facility’s kitchen staff and served in the dining hall.
Medical and Mental Health Offices
The facility has medical and mental health offices that provide medical and mental health services to the inmates. The medical staff provides routine medical care, including medication administration, while the mental health staff provides mental health services, including counseling and therapy.
Education and Vocational Programs
The facility provides educational and vocational programs to the inmates to help them acquire new skills and knowledge. The educational programs include high school equivalency classes taught by state-certified teachers. The vocational programs include carpentry, masonry, and horticulture, among others.
Overall, Foothills Correctional Institution provides a safe and secure environment for its inmates while ensuring that they have access to the necessary services and programs that will help them prepare for their re-entry into society.
Security and Procedures
Security Threat Group Management
Foothills Correctional Institution maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Security Threat Group (STG) activities, which include any group or organization that engages in disruptive or gang-related behavior. The institution has implemented an STG management program to identify, monitor, and control STG activities within the facility. The program includes intelligence gathering, STG identification, and classification, and targeted intervention strategies to prevent STG-related incidents.
Classification Reassignment
Inmates at Foothills Correctional Institution are classified based on their custody level, criminal history, and other factors. The classification system helps to ensure that inmates are housed in facilities that match their security, medical, and programmatic needs. Inmates may be reassigned to different custody levels based on changes in their behavior, disciplinary history, or other factors.
Promotions/Demotions
Inmates at Foothills Correctional Institution can earn promotions by demonstrating positive behavior and completing educational and vocational programs. Promotions allow inmates to access additional privileges and programs. Conversely, inmates who engage in negative behavior may be demoted, resulting in a loss of privileges and other consequences.
Administrative Transfer
Administrative transfers may occur for a variety of reasons, such as to address safety concerns, to provide medical care, or to facilitate an inmate’s participation in a program. The transfer process is overseen by the institution’s classification committee and is subject to approval by the warden.
Restrictive Housing
Foothills Correctional Institution has a restrictive housing unit for inmates who pose a threat to the safety and security of the institution or other inmates. Inmates in restrictive housing are subject to increased monitoring and have limited privileges. The use of restrictive housing is subject to strict guidelines and oversight to ensure that it is used only when necessary and in compliance with state and federal regulations.
Overall, Foothills Correctional Institution takes security and procedures very seriously and has implemented a range of measures to ensure the safety and security of staff, inmates, and visitors. The institution’s security level is close custody, and visitors must be approved in advance and follow strict visiting hours and protocols. Inmates can be located using the inmate search feature on the North Carolina Department of Public Safety website. JPay is available for inmate communication and money transfer.
Inmate Services
Foothills Correctional Institution provides various services to its inmates to help them prepare for their eventual release and make their stay at the facility more manageable. These services are designed to support the physical, emotional, and educational needs of the inmates.
Visitation and Contact
Inmates at Foothills Correctional Institution are allowed to have visitors, subject to certain restrictions. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved list, and they must provide valid identification. Visiting hours vary depending on the inmate’s housing unit, and visitors are required to follow the dress code and other rules and regulations. For more information call 828-438-5585.
Inmates are also allowed to make phone calls to their loved ones, subject to certain restrictions. They must use the facility’s phone system and are not allowed to receive incoming calls.
Mail and Commissary
Inmates can receive mail from their loved ones, subject to certain restrictions. The mail must be addressed:
- Name and Opus Number
- Name of Prison (do not abbreviate)
- P.O. Box 247
- Phoenix, MD 21131
Inmates are allowed to purchase items from the commissary, which is a canteen that provides food, hygiene products, and other items.
Education and Programs
Foothills Correctional Institution offers various educational programs to its inmates. Inmates can earn their GED or take the Adult High School Equivalency Exam. They can also participate in vocational training programs, such as the Construction Program or Correctional Enterprise Broughton Laundry Operation. The facility also offers in-service training programs to its staff.
Health and Wellness
The facility has a Chronic Disease Unit that provides medical care to inmates with chronic illnesses. Inmates can also receive dental and mental health services. The facility has a gym where inmates can exercise and stay physically fit.
Inmate Trust Fund Account
Inmates at Foothills Correctional Institution have access to an Inmate Trust Fund Account. This account is used to store the money inmates earn from their work assignments or receive from their loved ones. Inmates can use the money to purchase items from the commissary or pay for other approved expenses.
Overall, Foothills Correctional Institution provides various services to its inmates to help them prepare for their eventual release and make their stay at the facility more manageable. These services are designed to support the physical, emotional, and educational needs of the inmates.
Release and Reentry
When an inmate’s release date approaches, Foothills Correctional Institution provides them with reentry services to help them transition back into society. Inmates can participate in programs that focus on education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and more. These programs are designed to help inmates develop the skills they need to succeed after their release.
Inmates can also receive assistance with finding employment, housing, and healthcare services. The staff at Foothills Correctional Institution works closely with community organizations and government agencies to provide inmates with access to the resources they need to reintegrate into society.
For those who are on death row, the reentry process is different. Inmates on death row are not eligible for release, so they do not participate in reentry programs. However, they can receive spiritual counseling and other support services as they prepare for their execution.
Family and friends can support inmates during their reentry process by sending them money, scheduling visitation appointments, and communicating with them through phone calls. Inmates can make collect calls or use the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) system to receive money from their loved ones.
To make phone calls, inmates can use the Connect Network, which is a phone service provider for correctional facilities. Inmates can purchase phone cards or use their trust account to pay for phone calls.
Overall, Foothills Correctional Institution is committed to helping inmates successfully reintegrate into society after their release. By providing them with access to education, job training, and other resources, the institution aims to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.