N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--July 1997

Warren Correctional Institution Dedicated

Warrenton - The shivering crowd at the snowy groundbreaking would have welcomed the broiling summer sun at Warren Correctional Institution's dedication ceremony June 20.

Senator Frank Ballance, Correction Secretary Mack Jarvis and Warren Prison Superintendent Ted Smiley led the dedication ceremonies for the first GPAC prison, a 428-bed, medium custody prison which replaced the 192 beds at Person, Granville, Vance, Warren and Halifax correctional centers. "This is not a celebration," Senator Ballance said. "We must, if we're honest, note that we're on the back end of a problem in dedicating a prison. However, as long as we have criminals....we must continue to build prisons." Frank Ballance volunteered to host the first prison and close five small ones in his area. While more than doubling prison capacity, Warren Correctional Institution will bring down costs to as little as $50 a day per inmate.

"Closing prisons, relocating staff, and opening a new prison takes a great deal of coordination and hard work," Correction Secretary Mack Jarvis said. "Lynn Phillips, Bob Parrott and Ted Smiley worked hard to accomplish this. It was a tall order and they did a good job."

Construction on the $12.9 million Warren Correctional Institution began in Jan. 1995. The prison sits on a 117-acres. The prison is being built in three phases, the first being 428 beds with a 20-man segregation area. Phase II adds 168 single cells to be completed in September of 1997 and Phase III adds another 168 beds.

Prisons Director Dan Stieneke said, "This facility will play a very important role with the Division of Prisons: Bringing out-of-state inmates back home, back home so they can be with their families; back home where our employees can work with them in our facilities."

Stieneke encouraged staff to bring to Warren Correctional Institution the many positive aspects found in the small field units. "Despite the stress involved with closing a facility, the staff have taken it in a positive manner....this too will bring you success."

A groundbreaking ceremony for the next GPAC prison will be held in Stanly County July 11 and another is in the planning stages to be built on the Mitchell-Avery County line.

NC DOC Correction News- July 1997
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