Marion CI Visiting Hours. How to Get Approved and Schedule a Visit

Step 1. Get on the Approved Visitor List

You cannot visit Marion CI without being on the approved visitor list. Here is how the process works:

The person inside requests blank visitor application forms from the facility and mails them to you. You fill out the form and return it to Marion CI. If you are 16 or older, attach a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. For minors under 16, attach a copy of their birth certificate.

NC DAC runs open enrollment every 6 months. If a new person wants to be added, they apply during the next enrollment window. Up to 18 people can be on the approved list at one time. Clergy may be approved separately in addition to the standard 18-person limit.

Do not plan a trip to Marion until you have confirmed approval.

Step 2. Book Your Appointment

Marion CI does not publish visiting hours online. Contact the facility directly before planning your visit:

• Phone: (828) 803-6300
• Email: [email protected]

Ask for the current visiting schedule and confirm there is an open slot for you. Call again the day before your visit to make sure the appointment is still on. Lockdowns, staffing changes, or other facility events can cancel visits without much notice. A quick confirmation can save you a long drive through the mountains for nothing.

Legal visits are arranged separately. Call (828) 803-6300 for attorney visit arrangements.

Visitor Limits

Each session allows up to 3 visitors at once. Each person at Marion CI can have one session per week with a 2-hour maximum. Plan who is attending before you call to schedule so the count stays within the limit.

Legal visits, clergy visits, and law enforcement visits do not count against the weekly session limit.

Close Custody Restrictions

Marion CI holds men at close and minimum custody levels. People in close custody or restrictive housing may be limited to non-contact visits. If the person you are visiting is in close custody, ask the facility when you call whether contact or non-contact visits apply.

Minimum custody residents have more flexibility in visit conditions. Confirm the specifics when you schedule.

Video Visits Through GettingOut Visits

If you cannot make it to Marion, video visits are available through the GettingOut Visits app. Access it at sso.gtlconnect.com or through your device’s app store. Create a free account, find Marion Correctional Institution, and schedule a visit. On-demand visits may also be available if the person has a tablet inside.

Video visits are a good option for family members who live far from McDowell County or want a mid-week connection without the drive.

What to Bring

Bring one valid government-issued photo ID. Accepted forms include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID. Expired IDs are not accepted.

Leave cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and AI glasses in your car or at home. These are not allowed inside the facility.

For minor children, bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate. If someone other than the parent or legal guardian is bringing a child, contact the facility in advance to ask about any additional documentation.

If you have a metal implant, pacemaker, or other medical device, bring a physician’s statement. Speak with the facility in advance so staff can plan for the security screening.

Security Screening

All visitors 16 and older go through a metal detector and pat search at entry. Underwire bras, metal belt buckles, and large metal accessories can set off the detector. Wear a non-underwire bra and avoid heavy metal items to make entry easier.

Nothing may be brought into the visitation area unless staff has approved it.

Dress Code

The dress code is enforced at every visit. Showing up in prohibited clothing means being turned away. The following are not allowed:

• Halter tops, tube tops, strapless tops, or tank tops
• Bare midriffs
• Fishnet or see-through clothing
• Spandex
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses more than 3 inches above the kneecap
• Wave caps, doo rags, or bandanas
• Pants worn below the waist
• Clothing with STG (security threat group) imagery or profane graphics

Dress in plain, modest clothing. When in doubt, go more conservative.

What Is Not Allowed

Bringing contraband into Marion CI is a felony under North Carolina law. This includes drugs, weapons, alcohol, or any unauthorized item. Nothing may be given to or received from the person during a visit unless staff has explicitly pre-approved it.

Children at Visits

Children under 16 must have a birth certificate on file with the facility. Minors must be on the approved visitor list. Contact Marion CI about any requirements for children coming with a non-parent guardian. Some restrictions may apply depending on the person’s custody level.

Getting to Marion CI

Marion Correctional Institution is at 355 Old Glenwood Road in Marion, NC, in McDowell County. Marion sits along US-70 in the western foothills, about 35 miles east of Asheville and 75 miles west of Hickory. Check Google Maps for current driving directions from your location. Parking is available on site. Before you leave home, confirm the person is still at Marion CI using the NC OPI inmate search.

Medical Accommodations and Accessibility

If you have a mobility limitation or need accessibility support during a visit, call (828) 803-6300 ahead of time. Staff can make arrangements when given advance notice. Do not wait until you arrive.

If a Visit Is Terminated Early

Staff may end a visit early if a rule violation occurs. This can include a dress code issue discovered after entry, a conduct problem during the visit, or a facility emergency. Repeat violations can lead to removal from the approved visitor list.

Staying Connected Between Visits

While you wait for visitor approval or between in-person visits, you can stay in touch by sending mail through TextBehind, setting up AdvancePay so calls can come through, or scheduling video visits through the GettingOut Visits app. See the related guides at the bottom of this page for step-by-step instructions on each.