New Scotland Correctional Institution dedicated

Michael F. Easley Governor		Theodis Beck Secretary
North Carolina Department of Correction

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Pamela Walker
Date: August 22, 2003	Phone: (919) 716-3700

New Scotland Correctional Institution dedicated LAURINBURG- Correction Secretary Theodis Beck today dedicated the new Scotland Correctional Institution, a 1,000-cell close custody facility for adult males. Aaron Plyler, former state senator; state Sen. William Purcell; state Rep. Doug Youngue; state Rep. Donald Bonner; and David Burns, Scotland County Commission chairman joined Secretary Beck, correction officials, legislators, county and local officials and citizens for the ribbon cutting ceremony. "We are here to celebrate that building this facility affirms the Department’s commitment to keeping the citizens of North Carolina safe," said Secretary Beck. "We also are celebrating the 403 jobs the facility means for the community." The 403 positions will generate approximately $12-million in salaries with an estimated annual operating budget totaling $18 million. The facility sits on 147 acres on McGirts Bridge Road near Wagram. It has a standard operating capacity of 864 beds, with 128 segregation cells and 8 health care beds. Inmates will be moved in to the prison in September. In addition to the housing areas, the 410,000 square foot prison will contain administrative offices; warehousing and maintenance; food preparation and dining hall; academic, vocational and religious program areas; medical and mental health treatment; and visitation. Correctional staff will work with Richmond Community College to provide education and vocational programs such as plumbing, welding and electrical wiring full time to 160 inmates. The education programs will include basic skill instruction for inmates who have less than an eighth grade education level and other classes to prepare inmates to pass the adult high school equivalency exam. "The staff of Scotland Correctional Institution are dedicated to ensuring that this new facility will be operated at the highest possible standards prescribed by state law, department policy and procedures," said Don Wood, Scotland Correctional Institution administrator. Scotland CI is one of three 1,000-cell close custody prisons that the Centex Rooney Construction Company was contracted to build for the state. Lanesboro Correctional Institution in Polkton is expected to open in December 2003 and Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville is expected to open in April 2004. "Projections showed a growth in the prison population, particularly concerning inmates who had been sentenced for violent crimes and will be serving long sentences," said Boyd Bennett, Division of Prisons director. "We recognized the need for more high-security prison beds and Scotland and the other two facilities will help fill that need."