Topics Related to Prisons

Dogs and the officers who handle them have played a key role in the North Carolina correctional system for generations. The dogs’ keen sense of smell, agility, and accuracy, along with the specialized expertise of their canine officer handlers, has helped improve facility and community safety in ways that may surprise many people.

The third graduating class of the North Carolina Field Minister Program at Nash Correctional Institution received their diplomas on June 7.

SALISBURY — Adult Correction staff are used to reacting quickly and calmly in an emergency. Four employees of Piedmont Correctional Institution did just that while driving back from a meeting, possibly saving the life of a truck driver on Interstate 85.

When Anthony Faison was released from prison, he wanted to make a positive impact on the world.  He went back to school, earned his teaching 
credentials and took a position with Sampson Community College. 

In black robes and mortarboards over tan prison uniforms, 13 offenders graduated from the Field Ministers program Wednesday at Nash Correctional Institution.

Class 20 became the Class of ’22.

The 20th crop of future leaders in Adult Corrections was supposed to finish the year-long Corrections Leadership Development Program back in 2020. Then COVID-19 struck.

The career of a correctional officer is not an easy one. It is a position that has many challenges and requires a sharp focus on safety, professionalism, and integrity in order to keep themselves and those in state-custody safe. It is a role where if done well, they can inspire and help an offender to succeed once released. Right now, finding new correctional officers has been a challenge in North Carolina and across the nation, but one family that has been with the state for a combined total of 70 years has certainly risen to that challenge. Three generations of the Furr family have worked as correctional officers for the state of North Carolina within the Department of Public Safety (DPS). 

In her role as warden at Caswell Correctional Center, Doris Daye sees acts of greatness every day. As a leader, she understands just how important it is to recognize and reward employees who go above and beyond their duties.

DPS and Prisons leadership and staff took time today to memorialize correctional employees who have died in the line of duty. The annual observance took place during Correctional Officers and Correctional Employees Week with a ceremony held at the Randall Building in downtown Raleigh.

Prisons’ first field ministers graduate from college,