Fountain offers new therapeutic program

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

March 2001

Fountain Offers New Therapeutic Treatment Program

ROCKY MOUNT - Fountain Correctional Center for Women held a graduation ceremony Jan. 31 for its first class of inmates to complete a new 90-day drug/alcohol dependency treatment program.

The program, a "therapeutic community" treatment, is the first of its kind in treatment for female inmates in North Carolina.

Lattie Baker, Jr., assistant secretary for Chemical Dependency Programs, challenged the women completing the program to do three things: go home; attend recovery meetings, suggesting 90 meetings in 90 days; and, go back to work, working not only at a job, but with their families and their children, as well. Baker asked that they write to their counselors after release to tell them what helped them, and to provide suggestions on what they think might improve the program.

Jerry McQueen, central regional manager for Chemical Dependency Programs, stated that the new program fills a void in the treatment continuum of care. The program provides long-term residential treatment to minimum custody female offenders who are ineligible to attend any other program.

After lunch, Secretary Theodis Beck gave a well-received inspirational talk to those inmates who had completed the program, followed by fellowship and dialogue among the inmates, families, program, administration and custody staff. Bob Tate, program supervisor at DART Fountain, Superintendent Jimmy Horton and Fran Lee, family program director at the Mary Frances Center, were also speakers at the graduation.

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