Former Rivers prison in Hertford County earmarked for immigration detention
An idle federal prison in Hertford County, North Carolina is reported to be set to reopen as a major immigration detention facility run for the US government. The New York Times, citing internal documents, says the Rivers Correctional Institution — which closed in 2022 — is planned to be converted into a centre with 1,400 beds, making it one of the largest such sites on the East Coast.
The Rivers site, located in Ahoskie within Hertford County, was built as a privately operated federal prison and is owned by the private company GEO Group. According to reporting cited by regional broadcaster WITN, the facility shut down in 2022 after a decision by the United States administration to phase out some privately run federal prisons.
Community response and timeline
Local reaction in Ahoskie has already surfaced: in March, about 50 people protested against proposals for GEO Group to reopen the site as an immigration detention centre. The New York Times reports that ICE intends the facility to reopen this autumn.
"There are currently no federal immigration detention centers in North Carolina,"
The absence of existing federal immigration detention centres in the state is one of the facts highlighted by the reporting. A conversion of Rivers would therefore represent a notable change in the region's role within national immigration enforcement.
Who owns the site and what would change
The Rivers Correctional Institution is owned by GEO Group, a private company that has previously operated federal prisons. The site's closure in 2022 followed moves at federal level to reduce reliance on privately run facilities. If the reported plan proceeds, the campus would shift from its current idle state to a high‑capacity detention function under the supervision of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- Location: Rivers Correctional Institution, Hertford County (Ahoskie), North Carolina
- Owner: GEO Group
- Planned capacity: 1,400 beds (reported)
- Current status: Closed in 2022; reported plan to reopen this autumn
Implications
For residents of Hertford County and nearby towns such as Ahoskie, reopening Rivers as an ICE detention centre could have multiple local impacts. These include changes to the local economy if staffing and contracts are awarded, renewed public interest and protest activity, and the return of a large, secure facility to active use. Nationally, adding a 1,400‑bed site would increase detention capacity on the East Coast.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Facility | Rivers Correctional Institution |
| Owner | GEO Group |
| Reported capacity | 1,400 beds |
| Closed | 2022 |
| Reported reopening | Autumn (fall) 2026 |
At present, the reporting is based on internal documents cited by the New York Times and regional coverage. Officials from ICE, GEO Group or local Hertford County authorities have not been quoted in the material provided to InfoRadar; further developments or official statements would be needed to confirm timings and operational details.
Local residents and community groups are likely to follow the story closely. Any formal planning or contractual notices will be significant for how the county prepares for the facility's potential reopening.
