N.C.
Department of Correction--Correction News--September 1997
1,000-BED POLK YOUTH INSTITUTION
DEDICATED
Butner - The new, 1,000 bed Polk Youth
Institution was dedicated Aug. 6 after several decades of pushing for a
new prison.
Secretary Jarvis talks with Polk Superintendent
Currie
after prison's dedicaiton.
|
Talk of replacing Camp Polk started 30 years
ago. As plans progressed, Polk Youth Center’s administration began asking
potential new hires if they would be willing to relocate.
Despite community clamor to close what was considered
an eyesore next to the state’s new art museum, it wasn’t until 1993, when
Gov. Jim Hunt called a special crime session, that the General Assembly
appropriate money for the new Polk Youth Institution. Facility Maintenance
manager, Mike Pierce, located the Granville County property after looking
at Johnston County. |
The new Polk Youth Institution will hold 1,079
inmates in both dormitories and single cells and will continue to serve
as a processing center for youthful offenders.
Correction Secretary Mack Jarvis said the work
for Polk’s employees has just begun. "We can’t turn these people out as
bad as we received them. As taxpayers, we can’t continue to build these
mega-prisons. It’s just not fair to the state of North Carolina."
| Jarvis said that having worked for the Department
of Correction through five decades, he has witnessed a dramatic change.
"I remember the dark cells and people talking about the ball and chain
days. We’ve come a long way into a more reasonable, productive era."
Assistant prisons director, Patsy Woodlief, talked
about the Supermax facility under construction at Polk. "This is a new
concept in correctional design. It is a tribute to our goal to protecting
the public, correctional employees and other inmates." |
Secretary Jarvis flanked by Assistant Secretary Phillips,
Deputy Director Woodlief, Deputy Secretary Beck and Superintendent Currie
cut the ribbon as Asssistant Superintendent Lanier looks on. |
Superintendent Currie said he and his staff have
a tremendous challenge ahead of them, and that he has a group of dedicated
and committed employees, a group that he sees as one of the best supporting
staffs in the state.
Assistant superintendent, Virgil Lanier said
the people of Granville County have made them feel very welcome.
About 300 people came to the dedication ceremonies
which were held on a picture-perfect day. Tours of the prison and refreshments
followed the ribbon-cutting.
NC DOC Correction News- September
1997
NC
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