Roanoke River Correctional Institution is a state prison facility located in Halifax County, North Carolina, on approximately 7,500 acres of farmland. The facility has been operating since 1892 as a state prison farm and is managed by Correction Enterprises. Roanoke River CI is unique from other correctional facilities in the state, as it operates as a working farm, with about 5,500 acres of farmland under cultivation.
The facility provides various career opportunities for individuals interested in working in the correctional field. Correctional officers, trades/maintenance personnel, and health/medical professionals are among the positions available. Prospective employees can expect sign-on bonuses of $1,500-$10,000 for qualified health/medical professionals with an 18-month commitment and $7,000 bonuses for correctional officers and trades/maintenance personnel with a 12-month commitment.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 1038 |
| Physical Address | 2787 Caledonia Drive, Tillery, NC 27882 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | 252-826-5621 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
Overview
Roanoke River Correctional Institution (RRCI) is a prison located in Halifax County, North Carolina. The facility was originally established in 1892 as Caledonia Correctional Institution and was renamed Roanoke River Correctional Institution in 2021 as part of the Department of Public Safety’s effort to update facility names to better reflect modern-day society’s cultural standards. RRCI is operated by Correction Enterprises, a division of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Location
RRCI is situated on approximately 7,500 acres of land that the state of North Carolina purchased in 1899. The prison is located in Tillery, North Carolina, which is about 15 miles northeast of Scotland Neck and 20 miles southeast of Roanoke Rapids. The prison’s central location in the state makes it easily accessible to visitors from all regions.
Facilities
RRCI has a capacity of 1038 inmates and is divided into four housing units. The prison has a variety of facilities and programs to meet the needs of the inmates, including educational and vocational programs, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The prison also has a chapel, a library, and a recreation area.
RRCI is unique in that one of its housing units is dedicated to men serving a life sentence. This unit is designed to provide a safe and secure environment for these inmates while also offering them opportunities for personal growth and development.
The prison employs a team of correctional officers who work around the clock to maintain order and safety within the facility. The officers receive extensive training to ensure that they are equipped to handle any situation that may arise. RRCI is part of the Central Region of the North Carolina Division of Prisons and operates under the leadership of Warden Wendy Hardy.
History
Roanoke River Correctional Institution, formerly known as Caledonia Correctional Institution, has a long and complex history. This section will explore the history of the institution in three sub-sections: Roanoke River Flooding, Historical Context, and Negative Historical Connotations.
Roanoke River Flooding
In 1999, the Roanoke River flooded and caused extensive damage to the prison. The flooding was so severe that the prison had to be evacuated, and the inmates were temporarily housed in other facilities. The flooding caused millions of dollars in damages, and it took years for the prison to fully recover.
Historical Context
Roanoke River Correctional Institution has its roots in an antebellum plantation that was purchased by the state of North Carolina in 1899. The plantation, which was known as the Caledonia Farm, was originally operated as a prison farm. The prison farm was established with the intent of putting offenders to work.
During the early 1900s, the prison farm was used primarily for agricultural purposes. The prisoners were used as laborers, and they were responsible for planting and harvesting crops. In the 1920s, the prison farm began to expand its operations, and it began to produce a wider variety of crops.
In 1955, the Caledonia Farm was converted into a prison, and it was renamed the Caledonia Correctional Institution. The prison continued to operate as a medium-security facility until the 1990s when it was converted into a maximum-security prison.
Negative Historical Connotations
The history of Roanoke River Correctional Institution is not without controversy. The Caledonia Farm, which served as the precursor to the prison, was originally operated using slave labor. The farm was owned by William Polk, a Revolutionary War officer, who inherited the property from his father-in-law.
The property was worked by slaves until the end of the Civil War. After the war, the property was leased to tenant farmers, and it was eventually sold to the state of North Carolina. The prison that was built on the property was named after the nearby Roanoke River, which has its own history of negative connotations.
The Roanoke River was the site of several violent clashes during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The most notable of these clashes was the Battle of Morrisville, which occurred in 1870. The battle was fought between the Red Shirts, a white supremacist group, and the Fusionists, a political coalition that included African Americans.
In recent years, the prison has faced criticism for its name and its association with negative historical connotations. In 2021, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety changed the names of five of its prisons, including Roanoke River Correctional Institution, in an effort to update them to 21st-century cultural standards. This change was made to better reflect the diversity of modern-day society and to eliminate names with negative historical connotations.
Roanoke River Correctional Institution is currently a maximum-security prison that houses over 1,000 inmates. The prison is part of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and is located in Tillery, North Carolina. The prison is adjacent to the Dart Cherry Residential Treatment Facility, which provides mental health services to the inmates of Roanoke River Correctional Institution.
Programs and Services
Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of programs and services to help offenders develop the skills and knowledge they need to become contributing members of society. These programs and services include vocational classes, education, recreation, self-improvement, and aftercare.
Vocational Classes
Offenders at Roanoke River Correctional Institution have the opportunity to participate in a variety of vocational classes. These classes are designed to help offenders learn skills that will be useful in the workforce. Some of the vocational classes offered at Roanoke River Correctional Institution include:
- Agriculture: Offenders can learn about farming and agriculture through hands-on experience. They can work on the farmland at Roanoke River Correctional Institution, which includes corn, wheat, soybeans, sweet corn, collard greens, sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers, and melons.
- Cannery: Offenders can work in the cannery at Roanoke River Correctional Institution, where they process more than 150,000 cases of food per year. This provides them with valuable experience in food processing and distribution.
- Kitchen: Offenders can work in the prison kitchens, where they learn how to prepare and serve food. This provides them with valuable experience in the culinary arts.
Education
Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of educational programs to help offenders improve their literacy and numeracy skills. These programs include:
- GED: Offenders can prepare for the GED test, which is a high school equivalency exam. Passing the GED test can help offenders improve their job prospects and pursue further education.
- Adult Education: Offenders can participate in adult education classes, which cover a range of subjects, including math, science, and social studies.
Recreation
Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of recreational activities to help offenders stay active and healthy. These activities include:
- Sports: Offenders can participate in a variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, and softball.
- Fitness: Offenders can use the gym at Roanoke River Correctional Institution to stay in shape and improve their physical health.
Self-Improvement
Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of self-improvement programs to help offenders develop the skills they need to succeed in life. These programs include:
- Self-Help Programs: Offenders can participate in self-help programs, which cover a range of topics, including substance abuse, stress management, and anger management.
- Aftercare: Offenders can participate in aftercare programs, which help them transition back into society after they are released from prison.
Aftercare
Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of aftercare programs to help offenders successfully reintegrate into society. These programs include:
- Minimum Custody Readiness: Offenders can participate in minimum custody readiness programs, which help them prepare for life in a minimum security facility.
- DART Aftercare: Offenders can participate in DART aftercare programs, which provide them with support and guidance as they transition back into society.
Overall, Roanoke River Correctional Institution offers a range of programs and services to help offenders develop the skills and knowledge they need to become contributing members of society.
Mail and Visitation
For information about visitation call 252-826-5621.
All offender mail should be addressed to TextBehind’s facility in Maryland in this manner:
- Name and Opus Number
- Name of Prison (do not abbreviate)
- P.O. Box 247
- Phoenix, MD 21131
Farming and Agriculture
Roanoke River Correctional Institution is located on approximately 7,500 acres of land in Halifax County, North Carolina, much of which is dedicated to farming and agriculture. Inmates who are part of the facility’s agricultural program are responsible for the cultivation and harvesting of crops, as well as the care and maintenance of livestock.
Row Crop/Vegetable Operation
The Roanoke River Correctional Institution has a row crop/vegetable operation that produces a variety of crops, including corn, wheat, soybeans, sweet corn, collard greens, sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers, and melons. Inmates work in the fields, planting and harvesting crops, and maintaining the irrigation systems.
Poultry-Laying Operation
The facility also has a poultry-laying operation, which provides fresh eggs for the facility and surrounding communities. Inmates are responsible for the care and maintenance of the chickens, ensuring that they are fed, watered, and housed properly.
Farmland
The farmland at Roanoke River Correctional Institution is an important part of the facility’s agricultural program. Inmates work the land, planting and harvesting crops, and maintaining the fields. The farm also provides an opportunity for inmates to learn new skills and gain valuable work experience.
Overall, the agricultural program at Roanoke River Correctional Institution is an important part of the facility’s mission to provide inmates with opportunities for education, training, and rehabilitation. Through their work in the fields and with the livestock, inmates learn valuable skills and gain a sense of purpose and accomplishment.