NCJ Number
40567
Date Published
1976
Length
74 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT BY THE NORTH CAROLINA ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REVIEWS THE PROGRAMS AND CONDITIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA PRISONS AND PRESENTS SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORM OF THE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS REPORT WAS TO GATHER INFORMATION ON THE QUALITY OF INMATE LIFE (THE ACCOMMODATIONS, WORK, RECREATION, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, HEALTH, RELIGION, COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE OUTSIDE, LEGAL AID, DISCIPLINE, SAFEKEEPERS, AND INMATE COUNCILS), AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH, IF IMPLEMENTED, WOULD MAKE DISCIPLINE BY THE NORTH CAROLINA PENAL SYSTEM A CONSTRUCTIVE PROCESS. SITE INSPECTIONS, PERSONAL INTERVIEWS, DISCUSSION AT AN OPEN MEETING, AND ADDITIONAL RESEARCH WERE USED TO OBTAIN DATA FOR THIS REPORT. THE REPORT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PENAL SYSTEM, A PROFILE OF THE PRISONS, DESCRIPTIONS OF SELECTED FACILITIES, AND A DESCRIPTION OF LIFE AS A PRISONER. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOUND THE NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM BESET BY MANY PROBLEMS. MOST OF THE PRISONS ARE OVERCROWDED AND UNDERSTAFFED. THREE OUT OF FIVE OF THE OVER 12,000 INMATES ARE MINORITY PERSONS IN A STATE WHERE THE MINORITY POPULATION REPRESENTS ABOUT ONE OUT OF FIVE. THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION'S OWN STATISTICS SHOW THAT 80 PERCENT OF THE CORRECTIONAL STAFF IS WHITE. WOMEN AND MINORITIES WERE FOUND TO BE GLARINGLY UNDEREMPLOYED IN THE HIGHER LEVEL ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS AND OTHER JOB CATEGORIES THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ALSO FOUND THAT MOST INMATES IN THE NORTH CAROLINA PENAL SYSTEM MUST LIVE IN OVERCROWDED HOUSING. THE SYSTEM PROVIDES FEW REHABILITATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OR RECREATIONAL OUTLETS. INMATES IN SOME FACILITIES ARE PERMITTED TO SIT IDLE, DAY IN AND DAY OUT, NOT ENGAGED IN ANY MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY. IN ADDITION, MANY SERVICES AND FACILITIES WERE FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE INCLUDED TO REMEDY THESE PROBLEMS THROUGH SUCH MEASURES AS ACTIVE RECRUITMENT OF MORE MINORITY AND WOMEN EMPLOYEES, THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS, AND PROVISION OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES....DMC