19 Prisons in Missouri: A Closer Look at the System

Prisons in Missouri have been a topic of debate and scrutiny in recent years. With a growing prison population and concerns about conditions for inmates and staff, Missouri’s correctional system has faced numerous challenges.

This article will delve into the history of prisons in Missouri, the current state of the correctional system, and the various issues and controversies surrounding the state’s prisons.

We will also explore the efforts being made to improve the situation and provide a comprehensive overview of the state of Missouri’s correctional system.

Missouri Prison Map

Use the Missouri prison map below to locate any facility. Click on the map markers to read our detailed guide of that facility.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Algoa Correctional Center	Jefferson City	1600	Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Boonville Correctional Center	Boonville	1300	Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Chillicothe Correctional Center	Chillicothe	1740	Various	Female	Missouri Department of Corrections
Crossroads Correctional Center	Cameron	1440	Maximum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center	Bonne Terre	3,000	Various	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Farmington Correctional Center	Farmington	2632	Minimum/ Medium	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center	Fulton, Missouri	1,740	Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Jefferson City Correctional Center	Jefferson City, Missouri	1996	Maximum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Moberly Correctional Center	Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri	1800	Medium/ Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Missouri Eastern Correctional Center	Pacific, Missouri	1130	Low/Medium	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Maryville Treatment Center	Polk Township, Nodaway County, Missouri	561	Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Northeast Correctional Center	Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri	2098	Medium/ Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Ozark Correctional Center	Fordland, Missouri	738	Minimum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Potosi Correctional Center	Washington County, MO	800	Maximum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
South Central Correctional Center	Licking, Texas County	2,500	Maximum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Southeast Correctional Center	Charleston, Missouri	1,658	Maximum	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Tipton Correctional Center	Tipton, Missouri	1,180	Medium	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections
Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center	Vandalia, Missouri	2,076	Mixed	Female	Missouri Department of Corrections
Western Missouri Correctional Center	Cameron, MO	1,925	Medium	Male	Missouri Department of Corrections

Algoa Correctional Center

Algoa Correctional Center is a minimum security prison located in Jefferson City, Missouri. It is operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and has the capacity to house around 1600 inmates.

The facility is staffed by approximately 470 personnel who work around the clock to ensure the safety and security of the inmates. One of the unique features of Algoa Correctional Center is that it is the only male institution in Missouri that offers the IFI Program, which is also available at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center.

This program is designed to provide offenders with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully re-enter society upon release. The facility is located at 8501 No More Victims Road, Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Boonville Correctional Center

Boonville Correctional Center (BCC) is a minimum security state penitentiary located at 1216 East Morgan Street in Boonville, Missouri. The facility was originally constructed in 1889 as the Missouri Training School for Boys before being transferred to the Department of Corrections on July 1, 1983.

Today, BCC houses approximately 1,300 male inmates and operates as a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus features several notable buildings, including the Food Commissary and Supply Commissary, which are the oldest remaining structures on the property.

Additionally, the old Administration Building bears a dedication from its original construction under Governor John S. Marmaduke, who had lost the First Battle of Boonville in 1861 as the commander of the Confederate forces directed to hold the city. The battle occurred across the street from the present-day location of the facility.

Chillicothe Correctional Center

The Chillicothe Correctional Center is a state prison located in Chillicothe, Missouri, designed specifically for women. The facility is owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and has a capacity of 1740 inmates at various security levels.

The prison opened in late 2008 at a cost of $120 million, replacing the previous prison that had been established in 1888 as the Chillicothe Industrial Home for Girls.

The Chillicothe Correctional Center provides a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for life after incarceration, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and counseling services.

The facility is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates and regularly conducts training and drills to ensure preparedness for any emergencies that may arise.

Crossroads Correctional Center

Crossroads Correctional Center is a state prison for men located in Cameron, Missouri. The facility, which opened in 1997, has a maximum capacity of 1,440 prisoners and is adjacent to the Western Missouri Correctional Center.

It is a maximum-security prison that houses some of Missouri’s most dangerous criminals. Crossroads was the first prison in Missouri to install a perimeter electric fence with a lethal charge, making it one of the most secure prisons in the state.

While the prison is known for its strict security measures, it also offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for their eventual release back into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health counseling.

Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center

The Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (ERDCC) is a large prison located in Bonne Terre, Missouri. It houses adult males who may be struggling with substance abuse or mental disabilities.

This facility serves as the point of admission for male offenders committed by the courts in eastern Missouri to the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC). The ERDCC also offers various programs including restorative justice, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, Impact on Crime, Seven points of highly successful people, and Storylink.

Additionally, it operates a cooked and chilled food facility that prepares and transports regular and special diet meals to several other correctional centers in the area. Notably, the ERDCC contains Missouri’s lethal injection execution chamber.

Farmington Correctional Center

Farmington Correctional Center is a state prison located in Farmington, Missouri. It is a men’s prison that is run by the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The facility is located in St. Francois County and has a capacity of 2632 minimum and medium security prisoners, which makes it one of the largest prisons in the state. FCC was opened in December 1986 on the grounds of the former Farmington State Hospital mental health facility, which was founded in 1903.

Today, the facility offers a range of programs and services designed to help prisoners prepare for their eventual release and reentry into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center

The Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center is a minimum-security prison for men in Fulton, Missouri. This facility is owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and serves as a diagnostic center for new inmates.

The center provides assessments and evaluations for incoming inmates, including medical and psychological exams, to determine their appropriate placement within the state’s correctional system.

The facility also offers educational and vocational programs to help prepare inmates for successful reentry into society.

As a minimum-security prison, the center has a lower level of security than other correctional facilities in Missouri. Despite its lower level of security, the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center maintains strict protocols to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.

Jefferson City Correctional Center

The Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC) is a maximum security prison located in Jefferson City, Missouri. It is operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and has a capacity of 1996 inmates.

The prison is staffed by 660 personnel who work around the clock to ensure the safety and security of the inmates and the facility. The JCCC was opened on September 15, 2004, replacing the Missouri State Penitentiary which was an aging facility that first opened in 1836.

The prison is located near the Algoa Correctional Center and is situated at Jefferson City Correctional Center (C-5), Institution, 8200 No More Victims Road Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Moberly Correctional Center

Moberly Correctional Center is a state prison for men located in Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri. The facility has a capacity of 1800 medium- and minimum-security prisoners, according to the Official Manual State of Missouri.

It was opened in January 1963, built from a design by St. Louis architect Marcel Boulicault. The prison has a variety of programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The facility also has a number of job opportunities for inmates, such as working in the kitchen or doing maintenance work. Moberly Correctional Center is dedicated to ensuring the safety of both inmates and staff and has strict protocols in place to prevent incidents of violence or misconduct.

Missouri Eastern Correctional Center

The Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) is a state prison facility located in Pacific, Missouri. This prison has been owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections since its opening in 1981.

MECC is designed to house male inmates with low to medium security classifications, with a maximum capacity of 1130 inmates. The facility is also used to house inmates awaiting transfer to higher-level institutions.

MECC provides a range of programs and services to inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The prison also has a staff of experienced professionals who work diligently to maintain a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff.

Maryville Treatment Center

Maryville Treatment Center is a minimum security prison for male inmates located on the grounds of the former Mount Alverno motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville in Polk Township, Nodaway County.

The center is a custody level 2 facility with a capacity to house 561 offenders. Inmates housed at the facility receive at least six months of treatment and behavior modification as part of the Offenders Under Treatment (OUT) Program and the Board Substance Abuse Program (BDSAP).

The facility is housed in a distinctive yellow belltower building that was once the Franciscan motherhouse and overlooks the One Hundred and Two River.

The motherhouse was built in 1947 and the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville operated the Mount Alverno High School for Girls on the same grounds until it closed in 1971.

The facility began operations as a treatment center for the Missouri Department of Corrections in December 1996.

Northeast Correctional Center

Northeast Correctional Center is a state prison in Missouri that exclusively houses male inmates. It is situated in Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri, and began operations in 1998.

The facility has a maximum capacity of 2,098 inmates and is managed by the Missouri Department of Corrections. As with all state prisons, Northeast Correctional Center is designed to house individuals who have been convicted of various crimes and are serving their sentences.

The prison offers a range of programs and services to help inmates transition back into society upon release. These include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

Ozark Correctional Center

Ozark Correctional Center is a minimum security treatment facility located in Fordland, Missouri. It houses around 738 male inmates and operates a 650-bed substance abuse treatment program.

The long-term program is 12-24 months of intensive treatment, aimed at helping inmates overcome addiction and successfully reintegrate into society. While incarcerated, inmates are encouraged to participate in educational courses to earn a GED and obtain an adult basic education.

The facility believes that participation in educational and vocational programs gives inmates a much higher chance of success upon release. Ozark Correctional Center is committed to providing inmates with the tools they need to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.

Potosi Correctional Center

Potosi Correctional Center is a maximum security prison located in unincorporated Washington County, Missouri. Opened in 1989, the facility currently houses 800 male inmates, including death row, maximum security, and high-risk offenders.

Most of the non-death row prisoners at Potosi are serving long sentences, such as life imprisonment without parole or sentences with a 50-year minimum before parole eligibility, with a small number serving shorter sentences.

PCC has a reputation for being one of the toughest prisons in Missouri due to its high-security measures and strict rules. Despite its challenging environment, the facility provides educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for life after release.

South Central Correctional Center

The South Central Correctional Center is a state prison located in Licking, Texas County, Missouri. It is owned and operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and houses a maximum of 2500 male inmates.

The facility opened its doors in June of 2000 and has since been dedicated to providing a secure and safe environment for inmates. The prison offers a variety of programs to inmates, including education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The staff at the South Central Correctional Center work tirelessly to ensure the safety of both the inmates and the community.

Southeast Correctional Center

Southeast Correctional Center is a maximum security state prison in Charleston, Missouri. It is operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections and opened in 2001. The facility has a maximum capacity of 1,658 male inmates.

It houses some of the state’s most dangerous and violent offenders and employs a staff of over 400 individuals who work to maintain safety and security within the facility.

Inmates at Southeast Correctional Center have access to educational and vocational programs, as well as mental health services and substance abuse treatment.

The facility is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates and is committed to upholding the values of the Department of Corrections.

Tipton Correctional Center

Tipton Correctional Center is a medium-security prison located in Tipton, Missouri. With a history dating back to 1913, the prison spans over 150 acres and boasts a total of 326,860 sq. ft. of building space.

The facility’s address is 619 North Osage Street with a ZIP code of 65081-8038. As a medium-security prison, Tipton Correctional Center houses male inmates who have been convicted of a variety of crimes.

The facility offers a range of programs and services aimed at helping inmates prepare for re-entry into society, including educational and vocational training, counseling, and substance abuse treatment.

Tipton Correctional Center plays an important role in Missouri’s correctional system and strives to promote safety, security, and rehabilitation for all inmates.

Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center

The Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center (WERDCC) is a Missouri Department of Corrections prison located in Vandalia, Missouri.

The facility began accepting inmates in January 1998 and currently houses 2,076 female inmates ranging from minimum to maximum security, including certified juveniles.

WERDCC is responsible for processing female inmates from around the state for assignment to the permanent population at either WERDCC, Chillicothe Correctional Center or community release center treatment programs in St. Louis or Kansas City.

This processing includes prison orientation, educational, psychiatric and medical testing, risk assessment, AIDS testing, and a drug education program. Notably, this prison houses the female Death Row for the state.

Western Missouri Correctional Center

The Western Missouri Correctional Center, located in Cameron, DeKalb County, Missouri, is a state prison for men managed by the Missouri Department of Corrections.

The facility has a capacity of 1925 medium security prisoners, according to the Official Manual State of Missouri. It opened in 1988 and is situated next to the Crossroads Correctional Center, a maximum security facility for men that was closed in July 2019.

As a result, one side of WMCC was converted into a maximum security prison, accommodating many of those previously held at CRCC. The facility is strictly operated to ensure the safety of staff, inmates, and the community.

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