Division of Prisons begins conversion to region structure
Secretary Jarvis asks DOC to support the State employees Combined Campaign
Anderson named new Craggy superintendent
Engineering employees certified as professional managers
DOC employees learn life-saving techniques
DOC dentist is really an artist at heart
Education program improves chances of success
Spotlight on Randolph Correctional Center
Employee Appreciation week scheduled
Internal Audit publishes newsletter to help managers improve their operations
| Using the very same technology
that is sure to play a big role in the way
business is conducted in upcoming years,
department employees from nine sites across the
state were given the rare opportunity to discuss
the future of corrections with DOC officials in
Raleigh – all without having to make the
long drive to the capital city. Employees from as far away as Swan Quarter and Asheville as well as employees as close as Wilson and Burgaw were all able to participate in the live panel discussion which was broadcast over the Information Highway. Despite the fact that he was sitting in the Information Highway room at Pender Correctional Center in Burgaw, Jim Byrum, assistant superintendent at Pender, commented, "This has been the longest conversation that I’ve ever had with the management in Raleigh." |
 Probation
officers in Charlotte discuss |
The panel discussion was one of many activities held during Corrections Futures Week, August 3-7, as a way to get employees thinking about the future of corrections. Other activities included technology demonstrations, open houses, tours, job exchanges and round-table discussions.
| Correction Secretary Mack
Jarvis said it’s going to be up to the
employees of the department to make the future of
corrections a success. "I’m asking for all of our employees to get involved," he said. "Let’s see what we can do with this agency in the next few years by working together." Videoconferences held during Correction Futures Week included a downlink from the National Institute of Corrections on psychopaths and information and computer demonstrations showing how to access statistics on the North Carolina offender population. Clips and short videos on voice and Global Position System satellite monitoring of offenders, training films, drug interdiction tactics and general information on the Information Highway were also shown. |
 Members
of the PERT team conduct |
Demonstrations were given on ways the department is already utilizing much of this technology such as using the Information Highway to conduct classification hearings, medical consultations and distance learning programs.
During the panel discussion, Robert Guy, director of the Division of Community Corrections, said future uses of technology may include the use of satellite monitoring to keep track of sex offenders and individuals on house arrest.
"The department needs to continue to be aggressive in the area of technology," he said. "In order to be able to improve the quality of supervision, we have to go high tech. We need to continue to look at technologies to better control offenders, so the public feels safe."
In addition to the videoconferences, Sampson Correctional Institution, Carteret Correctional Center, Hyde Correctional Institution, Western Youth Institution, Morrison Youth Institution, Craven Correctional Institution and others all held various activities at their units including tours and round-table discussions in celebration of Correction Futures Week.
Nicole Sullivan, project director of the Futures grant, said she believed, overall, Corrections Futures Week was a success.
"There will be some significant changes in the future that will really affect how we do business," she said. "I think it’s important that we have started talking about the future and that we continue talking about it, so we are fully prepared." u