Inmates help build 'Field of Dreams' for flood victims

North Carolina Department of Public Safety


	North Carolina DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION Michael F. Easley, Governor Theodis Beck, Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2001

Contact:   Pamela Walker
               Public Information Officer
               (919) 716-3700

Inmates Help Build ‘Field of Dreams’ For Flood Victims

GRIFTON - Inmates on Community Work crews have started building homes in a new housing project designed specifically for Hurricane Floyd flood victims. The 56-house project is called the "Field of Dreams."

Inmates at Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury built wall panels for the homes that were transported to the construction site. Community Work crews from Neuse Correctional Institution in Goldsboro and Greene Correctional Institution in Maury will erect the walls and sheeting and set the roof trusses. Outside contractors will complete the construction of the houses. Inmates have already built three houses in Tarboro and two houses in Kinston.

Inmates frame house in Grifton "This has been a very positive project for the Department of Correction and all involved," said Gerald Branker, special assistant to the director of prisons and project coordinator. "Flood victims get the opportunity to buy a nice affordable house and the inmates develop a skill they can use when they’re released."

The housing project is a joint effort between the N.C. Department of Correction, the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, Metropolitan Housing and CDC, Inc. and the town of Grifton.

Inmates assigned to Community Work crews are in minimum custody, are screened prior to being placed on jobs outside the prison facility and are supervised by correctional staff.

-pkw-