Inmates learn to transition back into society

By Julie n. Chang
Published: April 26, 2009

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Morganton --

Almost 200 inmates at Foothills Correctional Institution spent Friday learning about opportunities to assist them in transitioning into society.
Inmates enrolled in the academic programs at Foothills were eligible for the event, teacher Ruth Anne Beaver said.
Inmates with less than a year until release focused on transitioning into jobs, while those with more time left focused on educational and job opportunities within the North Carolina prison system.
The N.C. JobLink mobile bus was on hand to pre-register the inmates. Beaver said the inmates would receive a card with their employment information that their local Employment Security Commission could scan on the spot.
Two presenters on the bus emphasized the importance of presentation when pursuing job opportunities.
In the library, the group heard from numerous speakers about JobStart, father accountability programs, Crossroads Ministries, vocational rehabilitation and probation and parole.
Principal Steve Williams said the information and programs are available once inmates leave, but the fair serves as an opportunity to point them to these groups that help.
Beaver said the goal of the transition fair is to successfully transition the inmates into society and decrease the rate of recidivism.
And for the inmates with more than a year left on their sentences, educational and job opportunities exist as well.
Dr. Rick Smith told a group of inmates that having an "education provides you opportunity."
College correspondence classes are available, Smith said. And the University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Piedmont Community College send professors who provide key courses free of cost to inmates.
Beaver said two-year degree programs and even a four-year degree program are available.
Foothills Program Directors Lewis Forney spoke to inmates about job opportunities such as the inmate construction program.
But, like many jobs in society, inmates must have the necessary skill sets before they can participate, Forney said. Many of the jobs require having attained a GED.
Beaver said inmates may be paid up to $1 per day and many jobs only pay 30-cents per day. Their earnings are maintained in an account and inmates may spend $40 a week.
Foothills Program Supervisor Davina Evans expounded on the programs through the prison.
Evans said inmates who have two years or less until release, and who meet the qualifications, may participate in the home leave program.
The program allows the inmate to return home one day of the month, Evans said. More days or the frequency may be increased as the duration of the sentence decreases.
Community volunteering is another chance for inmates to participate in the community, Evans said.
Emphasis was placed on inmates' health as well. Dieticians from the N.C. Department of Corrections measured inmates' body mass indexes and taught them about nutritious diets.
Tammy Boyd, MD, discussed prevention as a method of keeping healthy.
Boyd included screening for cancers as a prevention method.
Beaver said the first transition fair was in 2008, and the institute hopes to have the event annually.
Williams said the success of the fair is due to the support the administration gives to the education department.