Secretary Keller Stresses Education

Secretary of Correction Alvin Keller (center of photo) and Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Reuben Young addressed honors students today at Richmond County High School in Rockingham.

The address to the 12^th grade U.S. government class was part of Governor Perdue’s Education Works program in which she and members of her cabinet are visiting classrooms in public schools and community colleges around the state and talk to teachers, students and local leaders about the importance of education in our economic recovery.

Secretary Keller said education plays a significant role in North Carolina’s correctional system and that “we can plainly see the impact of education – or the lack of it – in the people entering our prison and probation systems.”

He told the students that lack of education is a factor that can contribute to criminal behavior.  People with jobs are less likely to become involved in crime –  and those without a decent education are more likely to be without a job.

He said a strong education system translates into successful students, fewer offenders coming to prison and probation, and fewer dollars that need to be spent on corrections. 

He urged the students to continue their education and to develop skills they will need for good paying careers.  

The Secretary didn’t miss an opportunity to do some recruiting.  He encouraged students to consider jobs in law enforcement or corrections.

2011 N.C. Torch Run for Special Olympics

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics North Carolina

Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state in The Torch Run Final Leg, culminating in the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games in Raleigh. The 2,000-mile, 15-day Torch Run Relay involves more than 2,500 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across North Carolina.

Kicking off the leg from Wilmington to Kenansville are, left to right, Capt. Jim Hock of the Pender County Sheriff’s Department, Wilmington Deputy Police Chief James Moore, Deputy Chris Stewart of the New Hanover Sheriff’s Department and Ricky Rivenbark, assistant superintendent of custody and operations at Pender Correctional Institution.

Officer Edwin Simpson (left), the Wilmington leg coordinator, and Wilmington Deputy Police Chief James Moore with the torch.



Maury inmates help tornado victims

Maury Correctional Institution’s Inmate Service Club made a donation of $300 to the American Red Cross to assist with tornado relief. Inmates learned of the destruction in the Snow Hill area from local media reports and decided they wanted to help the local community. Inmates raised their money by selling family photos during visiting sessions.

Employees at Maury also conducted fundraisers for their co-workers affected by the recent tornadoes. The funds raised were divided between four Maury CI staff members.

Pictured, left to right, are: Summer Woodard, Executive Director of the Pitt County Chapter of the American Red Cross; Chariesse Boyd, Hope Williams, Wade Walston, all of Maury staff; John Herring, assistant superintendent for custody and operations; Michelle Abate and Angela Hunter of Maury staff; Maury Administrator Dennis Daniels; Autumn Hektor of Maury staff; Annette Fullen, administrative services manager; Brad Fields, Maury staff; and Belinda Dudley, assistant superintendent for programs.

Inmates help feed the hungry

Johnston Correctional Institution and Johnston Community College are partnering in a program to raise fruits and vegetables to help feed the hungry. Twenty-four inmates at the Division of Prisons facility in Johnston County started planting seeds this week which will be harvested and donated to the Plant A Row for the Hungry organization.

Inmates plant seeds to help feed the hungry

Plant A Row is a public service program of the Garden Writers Association and the GWA Foundation. Gardeners are asked to plant an extra row of produce each year and donate their surplus to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry.

Phil Beaumont, a horticulturist with Johnston Community College, supervises the project along with prison programs supervisor Annie Reid. Inmates began planting such vegetables as beans, squash, corn, melons, carrots, peas and other vegetables along with some fruits.

All funds for the project supplies are donated from the Inmate Welfare Fund.