SEPTEMBER 29, 1995

RALEIGH - Shift work is nothing new for N.C. prison inmates. At the Correction Enterprises duplicating plant in Raleigh, a bus arrives about 3:00 every weekday afternoon with a second shift of inmates and the first shift returns to Wake Correctional Center.

"We have run a second shift of inmate workers for eight to ten years," said Fenway Carmichael, the plant's manager. "Demand for our services continues to grow and we're especially busy providing overnight service for bill printing when the General Assembly is in session."

There are 40 inmates on the first shift at the duplicating plant and 15 on the second shift. The inmates run the plant's copying machines with Enterprise employees checking their work. Inmates also do all the manual labor required such as receiving and storing all paper supplies, assembling booklets or janitorial work.

"At six operations we've added a second shift because of the demand for the products made by inmates," said Les Martin, Correction Enterprises Director. "These jobs teach inmates skills and prepare them for jobs when they leave prison."

Every prison assigns inmates to shift work in the kitchen. At New Hanover Correctional Center at Wilmington, 430 inmates eat breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Two shifts each with 18 inmates prepare meals. The inmates work 4am to noon or noon to 8pm. Each worker is responsible for preparing a portion of the meal or keeping an area of the kitchen or dining hall clean.

"Working shifts prepares inmates for the responsibility and schedules they'll encounter when they get jobs after prison," said New Hanover superintendent Larry Snead. "Learning a work ethic is an important part of their prison work assignment."

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Prison Industries with Second Shifts

Plant Industry Location
Duplicating plant Raleigh
Sign plant Franklin Correctional Center
Sewing plant Pender Correctional Institution
Sewing plant, Lincoln Correctional Center
Woodworking plant, Iredell Correctional Center
Upholstery plant Iredell Correctional Center