North Carolina Department of Correction

Court yard at Polk Youth Institution Polk Youth Institution

Secretary Jarvis's Remarks

August 6, 1997

Butner -- State Correction Secretary Mack Jarvis dedicated the new Polk Youth Institution today opening the state's largest and most secure prison for male youth.

"Gov. Hunt has taken the lead in building the prisons we need, improving our state's schools and building support for youth volunteer programs. All of these will help address our state's crime problems," Secretary Jarvis said. "The new Polk provides the secure space and additional cells we need to manage the increasing number of young men being sent to prison. This facility provides our officers a safer working environment and gives them the tools they need to better manage prisoners."

razor wire The technology and design of the new $43 million facility will increase safety and security and provide housing for nearly three times as many young men as the old Raleigh prison. Polk will house more than 1,000 young men 18 to 21 years old and serve as their point of entry into the prison system. The prison's three single-cell housing units will provide more than 400 cells to house high security prisoners. Old Polk had only 18 cells. The new prison will house another 500 prisoners entering the prison system and going through processing in dormitory-style housing with assigned double bunks.

Correctional officers will control entry into cells, cellblocks and housing areas remotely from secure control rooms instead of by key as in the old prison. Officers will have more control over inmates who will be housed in smaller, separate groups and will have more restricted movement from place-to-place in the prison. Still under construction is the prison's 100-cell super max facility, a new concept designed to provide the highest level of security. The facility will allow prison managers to isolate inmates whose violent and disobedient behavior disrupt prison operations.

As a processing center, Polk will receive 18 to 21-year old male youth from across the state. Prisoners will be identified by checking photo, fingerprints and Division of Criminal Investigation records. They will receive a complete physical. Offenders sentenced for an assaultive crime will be required to provide a blood sample for DNA registration. There will be psychological and achievement level testing. Prisoners will be evaluated for substance abuse problems and treatment will be recommended. The information will help correction staff make prison, work and program assignments.

Prisoners will be put to work in the prison kitchen and in maintenance and janitorial jobs. Other inmates will be assigned to education classes or a substance abuse treatment program. The prison will have 538 employees. There will be 350 working in custody and security. The remainder will work in administrative, medical, programs, religious, educational, mental health and maintenance jobs.

Correction managers looking forward to new facility
Correction officers ready for move to new prison
Polk quick facts
Tour the new Polk Youth Institution
Polk built with new construction techniques
Tour the old Polk Youth Institution
Polk prisoner assignments
Polk Youth Institution's school