Vanceboro -Gov. Jim Hunt and Correction Secretary Franklin Freeman joined Craven Prison Superintendent Wilford Shields and other officials Oct. 3 to dedicate the new, 712-bed eastern processing center, Craven Correctional Institution.
| "Since Gov. Hunt took office in 1993, nearly 10,000 new beds have been added to the prison system," Freeman said. "Citizens of this state cried out for an end to the revolving prison door. The legislature responded by enacting sweeping sentencing reforms known as Truth-In-Sentencing. But in order for Truth-In-Sentencing to work Gov. Hunt called for the authorization to build new prisons." |
Gov. Hunt talked about inmates serving longer sentences, paroles being cut by 40% and the need to keep the most dangerous criminals behind bars. "We will soon open four more prisons -Polk Youth Institution in Granville County, the Dan River Work Farm in Caswell County, Hyde Correctional Center in Hyde County and Warren Correctional Institution in Warren County. We must stop crime in our state. That means all of us working together--not just government, but citizens and community organizations as well."
| The governor also praised the
correctional officers who
showed their dedication in the
aftermath of Hurricane Fran by
reporting to work and keeping
the prison system running
smoothly. Supt. Shields praised all those who took part in opening the new prison. |  |
Craven's opening will allow the department to discontinue processing inmates at Hoke and Southern correctional institutions where more than 5,000 inmates are processed. Inmates who enter Craven Correctional Institution from the eastern county jails will be tested, evaluated and interviewed to determine assignments to prisons, jobs and programs.
The $24.3 million prison will employ 371 people and give Vanceboro and Craven County a substantial economic boost.