MEDIA ADVISORY: NCCIW offenders begin Women’s Field Minister training
N.C. Correctional Institution for Women will launch 19 offenders on a journey to become college-educated peer counselors and spiritual guides.
A convocation ceremony Thursday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. (please arrive no later than 9:45) will mark the beginning of the first class of the Women’s Field Minister Program. Three classes of male field ministers have graduated from a similar program with bachelor’s degrees at Nash Correctional Institution.
The N.C. Department of Adult Correction partners with The College at Southeastern, the undergraduate arm of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, to provide four years of onsite college instruction for offender participants. Funding is partially provided by former NFL coach Joe Gibbs’ Game Plan for Life organization.
The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the NCCIW chapel. Media who wish to cover the event must check in at the NCCIW Administration entrance, 1034 Bragg St., between 9:30 and 9:45 for a security check, escort to the ceremony site and, if necessary, camera or equipment setup.
All prison guests are required to pass through electronic scanners and a pat-down for contraband. All items, including audio/visual equipment, will be searched. Cellphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches and other electronic devices are not allowed inside the facility. You may bring a paper notebook and a pen to take notes.
RSVP (required) by 8:30 a.m. Thursday: Brad Deen, william.deen@dac.nc.gov, or 984-255-6202.