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| N.C. prison officials plan separate unit for gangs |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 01/31/2005 |
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North Carolina prison officials want to cut off the gang violence other states have seen by segregating those inmates in a special close-custody unit at a prison in Morganton. Many of the inmates won't get out until they complete a program that teaches them to control their anger and drop their gang ties. "We want to help them think in a different manner, help them resolve a potentially dangerous situation without resorting to violence and hopefully give them the skills to help them renounce their gang identification," said Bob Lewis, the state Correction Department's assistant director of support services. Growing gang activity across North Carolina is sending more gang members to the state's prisons. The Gov.'s Crime Commission concluded last year that about 390 gangs operate in the state, with more than 8,500 members. The department wants to open the 192-bed unit at Foothills Correctional Institution in western North Carolina sometime this summer. It has received a $770,000 federal grant to train staff and complete renovations, such as adding a recreation yard and expanding certain areas. The state will have to assume the program's expense in two years. Some inmates are known gang members when they enter prison, others' affiliation becomes known after their convictions, still others are recruited behind bars. Gangs bring particular problems for prison staff members and other inmates. Sometimes, inmates are required to assault other inmates or staff as part of their initiation. The gangs also intimidate other inmates, and they are often involved with drugs and other contraband being smuggled into prisons. Lewis said the rising numbers of gang members in prison have not led to gang fights or rampant violence, but with nearly 500 identified gang members behind bars, the department sees trouble on the horizon if it does not act now. There are about 35,000 inmates in the prison system. In North Carolina prisons last year, inmates attacked staffers 552 times and attacked other inmates 165 times. Prison officials said they confirmed that 11 assaults were gang-related. |
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This article exposed what it is like to exist in today’s correctional institutions. I enjoy reading articles like this one and articles from author Hamilton Lindley who is an expert at persuasion, influence and leadership from his Waco, Texas base. There are a lot of important lessons to be learned here for sure. Thank you for the insight.
This article exposed what it is like to exist in today’s correctional institutions. I enjoy reading articles like this one and articles from author Hamilton Lindley who is an expert at persuasion, influence and leadership from his Waco, Texas base. There are a lot of important lessons to be learned here for sure. Thank you for the insight.