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Women's correctional facility in danger of shutting down

Submitted by WWAY on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 6:11pm.READ MORE: Women's correctional facility in danger of shutting down
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Nearly 25 female inmates are in danger of losing the place they call home. "I became a grandmother last night. If I was anywhere else, I wouldn't have been able to talk to my children and hear my grandson cry. These women, this staff, they care about what happens to our lives," said inmate Zoritta Wood. Zoritta looks back on what she calls one bad decision that managed to change her life forever. Dabbling in illegal drugs landed her in prison, and eventually the women's correctional facility. "When you're dealing with tragedies, when you're dealing with things that befall your life, and you don't know where to turn," she said. With more than eighty days left in her sentence, Wood, along with other inmates, are on edge; waiting to find out if the facility will lose funding, and have to shut its doors. "We're not going to be working together anymore. We're going to be strung out in different places. It's not going to be the same, it's just sad," said program supervisor Christina Dillon. The facility that once had 36 inmates now is down to 25. Those spots can't be filled because they're frozen in the state's budget. Zoritta Wood wants legislators in Raleigh to know that this facility saved her. "This program changes women's lives. It builds futures, not only that but it helps our children." And what does the future hold for Wood? It is looking bright thanks to the support and redemption she said she received at the Wilmington Residential Facility. "I graduated last May with honors and a degree in diesel mechanics." Wood hopes to pursue a career in truck driving and mechanics. The deadline for the state budget has been extended to next week. The facility expects to hear word from Raleigh next Friday, July 31st. If it does close down, the staff members will be placed in jobs similar to what they are in now. The inmates would be transferred to another similar facility in North Carolina.

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Do they actually take any of this in to consideration for a male

Submitted by This.Kills.Me on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 4:40pm.
Do they actually take any of this in to consideration for a male? NO! I work with someone who's child got in to trouble with drugs and was sent to prison... On the other end of the state. He has a son and was kept from him... I don't see a difference here. I think they should make the "tough call," shut it down, and treat the women just like the men. I would hate to think that the state is playing favorites just so a woman can be near her kids or grand kids. It is terrible to say, but you don't really know what you have until you lose it. If you assist these women in losing something they hold dear, then maybe, they will think twice about their actions. I may sound cold and heartless, but that is the way the state has acted towards men. And in tought times, you have to make tough calls. Shut it down.
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considering the men

Submitted by Shelbyk (not verified) on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 8:03am.
Does anyone consider the ratio of men to women inmates. Men are far out numbering the women in prison. The men get together and figtht for more floor space, better food, better care, more personal rights, you name it. Maybe they should ban together and fight for something worth having, like time to see their children and then and only then could they make this world a better place. My experience with the "system", who needs more of their food, I would give it up intirely to have more time with my children!!!!
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FYI...these women are not

Submitted by GuestME (not verified) on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:11pm.
FYI...these women are not near their children. The woman in the news report, her grandchild lives in California. This is an honor grade camp. There are all kinds of criminals here. They have all worked there way from NCCIW (medium/closecustody) to honor grade. None of the ladies at the facility are 'near' relatives. But they have a smaller facility so the women receive more supportive services that should be applied to all inmates.
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Below the knees

Submitted by Taxpayer123 (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 2:26pm.
This is cutting a program from the economic bottom. If you have to start over and you don't have a support system(friends or family) then you are on your own when you get out of prison. It would be better to let these women stay in a stable, safe environment where they can rebuild their lives. The General Assembly and the Governor should be cutting out beach re- nourishment programs that are putting money down a hole (and once again putting money in things rather than people) and not cutting out programs that actually help people survive and improve there lot in life.
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Those beaches generate a lot more revenue for the state....

Submitted by Commonsensenotc... on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 10:14am.
...than will be paid out to incarcerate these women should they be convicted again. I'm not saying that the facility should be shut down, I'm simply stating that beach renourishment is a large source of revenue that benefits the entire state population, while this facility is an expenditure that benefits a select group. Get past the emotions and look at the Economics. If I had to pick one, I'd choose income over expenditure EVERY time.
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Potentially 36 women...

Submitted by This.Kills.Me on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 4:48pm.
... to be put in this program for how many thousands of dollars. I think that putting people (beach renourishment) to work is more important that someones feelings at this stage of the economy. Besides... Do the crime, do the time. Many projects are being cut all across the board. Our EDUCATORS are taking a hit. Those who teach our children for tomorrow are being cut and you worry about this. I would think about that. They are having to make cuts everywhere. Back to the beach renourishment. If it werent for the beach, our state would be in sore trouble. That is one of the biggest attractions that help build up tax money. Why not keep them pretty, keep the tour-ons coming here to spend their money. Keep our coffers full to possibly spend on this program when we can afford it. That is what got us in to the hard economic times anyways... over spending, over borrowing, and thinking our wants are our needs. Fix that and you fix alot more.
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As

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 7:07pm.
Sammy Davis once sang, "Don't do the crime if you can'nt do the time". There are no similar facilities for males. Wny, in this equal society, should females be treated differently? There are probably many male inmates who have not heard their grandchildren cry. Frankly, the inmate interviewed seemed well annointed with make up.
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Get your facts

Submitted by Openminded (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 6:23pm.
A friend of mine's sister works here, 70 years old and only continues because of these women touching her heart. DID YOU KNOW THE WOMEN WHO STAY HERE ACTUALLY PAY BACK THE STATE for housing??? When they go back to prison the state gets to foot the bill. Our blind governor says we need to get tougher on crime but oh wait, lets close facilities....does she not realize these women are paying for their crimes? They work in the community, are under very strict rules, you mess up, you go back. Get your facts. Oh and lets see, now we have to hire more officers at the prisons!
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Don't do the crime if you can't do the time...

Submitted by Stacey (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 10:47am.
Frankly speaking what will we do with these inmates if they close this prison down? There are only 2 women facilities in NC...they can do the time but where will it be? We are so worried about them not having rights but what about when the state is being sued because of overcrowding...who's pocketbook do you think that comes out of. Don't be so closed minded, everyone makes mistakes and this could be one of your relatives. Crime never affects us until it hits home and one of our loved ones is affected. Be careful of how you judge others...some spend 20 yrs and even get death sentences and later in life we find from DNA that a person was innocent of all charges.
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You missed

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:36pm.
my point entirely. If they can offer such facilities for female inmates, why not for male inmates? Watch the news. They have big screen tv and gym equipment. Who's paying for that?
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Would you rather...

Submitted by stacey (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 3:42pm.
Would you all rather see these women rehabilitated on some levels or would you rather just lock them up throw away the key and when they get out they are still committing the same crimes? Recidivism hurts everyone involved, families, employers, employees, kids, communities, etc. We are responsible for our own SAFE communities and if someone is not going to be in prison forever or sentenced to death wouldn't you want them to come out better than they went in? Or would you rather them come out like maniacs because that is what the system does to one that has been locked up for many years, they do NOT know how to function among regular citizens and therefore resort to more crime...this time it could be one of your loved ones that is the victim. You all need to wake up and think about this before you say oh no don't let them have anything. Lock them up, feed them bologna sandwiches everyday, let CO's and other authority mistreat them because their prisoners(this does happen), who cares about gang rapes, and abuse while they are in there? Who cares that is was your brother, your sister, cousin or other loved one? Just throw the book at them. They don't deserve anything and even after they have paid their dues to society for their mistakes, let's ALWAYS make them be criminals even if they come out and want to do better. I am so ashamed of our country when it comes to how we treat people that may mistakes. I am not speaking about the career criminals who make this a lifestyle, I am speaking about the ones who mess up and geniunely want to get back on track. But we as a society have already condemned them to hell, to crash and burn. Good luck America, I hope they don't start sending us to prison for running stoplights and stop signs because utimately when you run one of those you could potentially crash into someone and kill them. That would be a terrible mistake...and you would spend prison time for it. Don't run any stop signs or traffic lights because if you ended up killing someone...you did the crime, you will do the time!! NOBODY will feel sorry for you either!!!
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Either

Submitted by SurfCityTom on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 6:29am.
you can not read or you choose not to read. YOU missed my point entirely. If these kinds of services and facilities can be offered female inmates, why can similar services and facilities not be offered to male inmates under similar circumstances. Why not set the emotional response aside and answer the questions. The question, by the way, has nothing to do with the inmates or their crimes. It questions why there appears to be gender based reverse discrimination. Do you get it yet?
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this is a very small women's

Submitted by GuestME (not verified) on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 10:15am.
this is a very small women's facility that began as a drug treatment center, that was part of DOC. This facilty has a treadmill (donated) and the tv was donated. When allowed or having proper staffing, they may be allowed a volleyball game or a kickball game. Also, the women have a regular size backyard to stretch their feet in, whereas the men have acres. I have only seen that happen twice in 2 years. At New Hanover the local men's prison, they have 2 tvs per dorm, they play basketball whenever the yard is open, volleyball, softball, and they have weight equipment. They have acres to walk around on. These women do not have more than the men in regards to possessions or activities, actually they have less. But you are correct, by being small they do have a better chance at rehabilitation. There are facilities for men throughout the state that have 100 inmates, so they do also have smaller facilities. But you have many more men in prison than you do women, you have 38,000 men in prison and just under 3000 women in prison. There are 6 facilities for women in NC There is no gender based reverse discrimination. But having worked for DOC and personal opinion, i think most honor grade camps should be smaller. Actually many prisons should be smaller. It would give the inmates, the ones that want help, a chance to change. But the state does not find it a worthwhile endeavor.
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That equipment was all

Submitted by Guest21 (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 3:41pm.
That equipment was all donated by volunteers to the facility....maybe you're the one that needs to be educated on what you're talking about
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i think that is true dont do

Submitted by Seduction1990 (not verified) on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 9:46am.
i think that is true dont do the crime if you cant do the time!!!!!
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house closing

Submitted by Guest nancy (not verified) on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 7:19am.
i was at this prison for 20 months and i feel like it is not a good idea to close it..i am still on my work release job that i got from that prison..i have been out since may 21st of 2009 and i can speak on behalf of the house..yes big screen tv , gym activities, that goes to show what can happen when people step up to the plate and serve their community..the staff there has been a blessing to me. i cant change my past but wrfw helped build my future and i would like to say thank you to laura overstreet, and all the staff that helped me grow. by HIS grace, nancy broadway pearson
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