NCJ Number
149195
Journal
Forum on Corrections Research Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: May 1994 Pages: 35-36
Date Published
May 1994
Length
2 pages
Annotation
South Carolina's State Park Correctional Center, a minimum-security facility designed to house more than 400 male and female inmates of all ages, operates a specialized unit for elderly offenders and offenders with disabilities.
Abstract
The South Carolina Department of Corrections defines disability to include offenders with physical or intellectual impairments that substantially limit their ability to function independently in the general prison population. The State Park Correctional Center attempts to provide a reasonably "normal" environment by housing both males and females. The atmosphere is low-key and informal, but there is a definite structure to daily facility life. Inmates are required to get up and remain dressed throughout the day, to care for their rooms, to go to meals, and to participate in activities. The center's individualized programming emphasizes leisure activities that can be translated into later part-time work over traditional inmate vocational training. The center also provides release planning to facilitate the reintegration of special needs offenders into the community.