N.C. Department of Correction--Correction News--March 1998

Brigman Completes Two-Year Program

ELIZABETHTOWN - It’s approximately 100 miles from Elizabethtown to Raleigh - two hours by car, factoring in early-morning, rush-hour traffic. Benny Brigman, superintendent of Bladen Youth Center, could drive it in his sleep.

Over the past two years, Brigman made the two-hour trip to Raleigh every other month to attend classes as part of the Certified Public Manager Program. In all, he took 12 different classes covering topics such as problem-solving, interaction with others, leadership skills and managerial processes. Each class usually lasted two to three days. "The program took up quite a bit of time," Brigman said. "But it has been helpful. It is a brand new experience when you start managing more than just a handful of people." Brigman, who began his career with the Department of Correction in 1975 as a correction officer at Sandhills Youth Center, was appointed superintendent of Bladen Correctional Center in March 1993 when it was still an adult facility. The facility changed to a youthful offender prison in 1995.

Brigman is the 20th DOC employee to complete the Certified Public Manager Program since the program was accredited to award the certified designation in 1988. A total of 354 graduates from various state agencies have been awarded the Certified Public Manager designation.

At the conclusion of the program, participants are required to complete a project intended to improve the quality of service in the participant’s work place.

For his project, Brigman developed the first work release program for youthful offenders ages 18 to 20 in the state. His project was implemented at Bladen Youth Center this past September. u

NC DOC Correction News- March 1998
NC Department of Correction News
NC Department of Correction Homepage