Alexander Correctional Institution opens

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

For Release: IMMEDIATE	Contact: Pamela Walker
Date: March 16, 2004	Phone: (919) 716-3700

DEDICATION CEREMONIES HELD FOR ALEXANDER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION New facility will bring more than 400 jobs RALEIGH - Correction Secretary Theodis Beck today helped celebrate the opening of the new Alexander Correctional Institution, which brings more than 400 jobs to Alexander County. "To the community, the new prison will mean economic opportunities," Secretary Beck said. "To the Department of Correction, the 409,000-square-foot institution will provide some needed relief from a backlog of prisoners waiting to be housed. To the inmate who comes here, the prison will mean a reality check that crime does not pay." The prison will initially employ about 400 workers and will have an estimated annual operating budget of $25 million. This summer, the prison expects to add 40 more positions primarily for the medical and mental health sections of the facility. The 1,000-cell close custody facility for adult males sits on 138 acres on Old Landfill Road just outside Taylorsville. The Division of Prisons will start moving inmates into the facility in April. In addition to the housing areas, the prison will contain necessary support areas including administrative offices; warehousing and maintenance; food preparation and a dining hall; academic, vocational and religious program areas; and visitation. Alexander Correctional Institution is one of three 1,000-cell close custody prisons that the Centex Rooney Construction Co. was contracted to build for the state. Scotland Correctional Institution in Laurinburg opened in September 2003 and Lanesboro Correctional Institution opened this January. Alexander Correctional Institution will hold a community open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m. This will be the last opportunity for the public to view and tour the prison before the facility begins to house inmates. Public tours will be available both days along with information regarding employment opportunities at Alexander Correctional Institution. # # #