Rocky path leads to great success story

Everyone loves a success story. Angela Dorman is one.

She made a dramatic change in her life about four years ago when she started working in the Department of Correction Central Engineering Department through the inmate work release program.

“I took what could have been a very detrimental thing in my life and turned it into a positive,” Dorman said.

She was hired by engineering/architectural supervisor George Sgouros to scan and file engineering documents. She had a thirst for learning and turned out high quality work, advancing to a contract employee upon her release. She now is a CAD operator and support administrator.

While working in the engineering department, Dorman, 43, attended Shaw University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA in May with a degree in Sociology.

“If I had my own business and I wanted to hire a person that could help me at many levels, Angela would be the first person I would think about. This is how much I trust both her abilities and integrity,” Sgouros said. He added that her diligence and hard work won the respect and admiration of others in the CAD department.

Dorman hopes to continue her education by seeking a master’s degree in education or public health.

“I would like to contribute back to society in order to honor those who have helped me. Perhaps I can prevent even one person from travelling the same rocky path that I have travelled,” she added.

Swannanoa Volunteers Honored

Renda Dewitt
Volunteer of the Year

Brenda Jarra
Featured Speaker

Renda Dewitt was named Volunteer of the Year at the 2010 Volunteer Banquet in May at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain. Brenda Jarra, program director of the Division of Prison’s Female Command, was featured speaker for the event in the Blue Ridge Assembly building.  Swannanoa Superintendent Debbie Hughes welcomed the many volunteers who provide valuable services at the facility.

Inmates earn degrees from Shaw University and donate to help restore campus

  Eleven inmates at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW) were awarded their degrees from Shaw University on Thursday, May 26th in a graduation ceremony held in the prison’s chapel. Two inmates earned bachelor of arts degrees and nine earned associates degrees.

   Gwendolyn Chunn, a nationally known juvenile justice expert and former president of the American Correctional Association, spoke to the graduates.

  At the end of the graduation ceremony, inmates who are members of the NCCIW Women’s Club and the NCCIW Recreation Club presented a check for $1,000 to Shaw University officials to help in the repair and cleanup of the Shaw campus, which was hit hard by a tornado last month.

  “Within 4 or 5 hours after the storm passed through, I had inmates asking what they could do for Shaw,” said Warden Bianca Harris. “You might not expect that coming from here, but that’s how these ladies are."

  Fifty-seven inmates from NCCIW and the neighboring Raleigh Correctional Center for Women are currently enrolled in classes through Shaw University’s Center for Alternative Programs in Education.