When you ask the question to the family and friends of those who are incarcerated “What are some changes you would like to see happen in the prison system?”, the responses are more accurate than if you would listen to someone who has no inside family or friends. That is because we live it daily with them, we are the ones who make the phone calls, fighting with the wardens, advocating for their basic human rights. We experience day-to-day life with the injustices that they face throughout their sentences. When you see that non-profit organizations and others go against the true needs of these men and women that are held by the NCDAC and cater to the employees needs and wants, when they are the true oppressors, the ones who are inflicting the pain and suffering, ignoring the needs of our people yet they get resolve. If you were to just speak to us, the ones in the trenches, those that are behind these walls, and our family who are holding everything down, you will know the truth. You cannot expect the truth from the wardens and their staff at these facilities. Do you really think they are going to be truthful about the things that are happening at their camps under their watch? No, they are not going to speak facts and tell society how staff neglects these men and women. How as punishment they take away human necessities like food, outside time, phone calls, taking away of visitations without notice at times, showers, cleaning supplies, the list can go on and on but just to name a few.
Let us get into some of the answers that I received from family and or friends of someone who is being housed by the NCDAC.
1: “More programs for rehabilitation. Programs to encourage our loved one’s natural talents. I saw a program about a prison in NJ that has a store in their town that sells only things their inmates create. Can you imagine what this would do for our ppl here in NC?? “We have artists, singers, actors, craftsmen, etc. of all sorts locked up with no outlet for them.” This is something that would inspire and be very therapeutic for them.”
The talent behind these walls that could be showcased, aid and assist in their rehabilitation, and help with idleness.
“And More rehabilitation to the ones that are coming home one day like more classes of education and help.”
“Free phone calls, free video visits, free stamps, bigger class sizes to accommodate all, when rec is canceled make them up, there must be better companies to deal with for phone, messaging, letters, etc., the system is constantly down. It costs a fortune to give them anything and we are already paying for services through our taxes, which obviously isn’t going toward staffing because they are always short-staffed.”
2: “Family visits for all prisons, all prisons to be upgraded and all having air conditioning, and better rehabilitation programs.”
“A/C and more time outside, better food with more portion size for adult men! Health care is a real concern.”
“And u already know I believe NC should have conjunctional (family visits) visits and more family contact to keep the bond of the family structure and build it.”
“More visits on the weekends and for 2 hours not 1 hour. Especially when your loved ones are 3:45 min and 2:15 drive away. Getting loved ones closer to their homes would be even better.”
“They also need Free phone calls, free video visits, free getting out text msg, free textbehind app letter msg, they need more communication contact with their families, friends, and support team it’s been proven to work if loved ones that are locked up have more contact with family. Family visits to keep the bond of the family has been proven to help rehabilitate the person incarcerated they need more rehabilitative things and opportunities there for them not punishment”
3: “More classes / opportunities at Maury they give them practically nothing to do take away yard time and prayer groups every single week. It’s hot and they don’t prioritize fixing the ac. They don’t provide real health services meaning you pretty much have to be rolled out on a stretcher to be taken seriously.”
Now when it comes to adequate health care in prison, it is pretty much a joke. Even though under the 8th amendment we are supposed to be protected under and against cruel and unusual punishment. Adequate health care, housing, and food but you see how they treat us.
4: “Some of the policies are so old and outdated. Home visit policy was written in the 70s and is still used. The structure of the family has changed so much that that policy needs to be revised.”
“Also, some kind of structure throughout different prisons within the state. In my experience every camp has its own list of allowed and not allowed items even so much as throwing away something you bought in the last camp commissary.”
“I’d like to see the prices of canteen items lowered. It’s a true rip off now. These companies are making a big profit with the hard-earned money we send our loved ones. The prices are 3 times what we pay on the outside.”
5: “Case managers within the camps need to want to work there and be of assistance to those assigned to them and their families.”
“Most of the case managers are a joke. Our son has had so many he doesn’t even try to learn their name because he knows they don’t care and won’t be there long enough to help.”
6: “They need more classes at all prisons, so they don’t have move around unless they want to. They need AC all prison, they need better food, and better portions these are grown men not little kids. They need way better medical care, getting their needs met, not denial classes, and jobs shouldn’t be taking from them over a write up. Stop taking things from them, stop taking their good time gain time earn time from them that is not ok.”
“More humane conditions, mental health professionals at all camps, focus on rehabilitation with classes, training, CV passes and consistently in rules, visits etc.”
“AC and family visits”
“My son is in prison-Scotland Correctional. He has been there over a year and has only been outside in the yard a couple times. Would like to see them be able to go outside and get sunshine!”
“A decent health care system.”
“When there is a need for special treatment or medication needed, we as the family should be able to sponsor it if needed. For example, there could be approved pharma vendors, we could order the medication when the medical department would prescribe it. Like food packages but for health care. They could keep the meds locked at the nurse’s desk, so there could be nothing going on with selling it etc. but at least it could help the ones who suffer with sickness.”
Here’s one from a man on the inside, “I would like to see better programs to help get out earlier than the recorded release date. I wish we could get better wages for our labor. Because $2.80, $4.90, and even $7.00 a week is not cutting it. Do away with life without parole here in NC, well it should depend on the circumstances.”
From the Founder of Behind the Walls Talk himself, “Doing away with the SRG Program in North Carolina. It hinders us from being able to move forward. It also hinders us from growing and developing and being rehabilitated. It discourages family connections which is also a part of our rehabilitation as well.”
Just to give everyone in society an idea of what we are fighting for daily. You will find that some of the answers that you will hear from the support system of these men may sound repetitive, like-minded, or very similar it is because they see the problems and ways to rectify these matters that we all speak about, especially when it comes to rehabilitation programs. Family visits are visitations that are weekend visits. Where families can come stay overnight at the prison with their loved ones. It encourages good behavior and encourages the family unit to stay together, which is rehabilitative for these individuals. North Carolina has a 30-million-dollar project that will be completed by 2026 in which all facilities will be fully air conditioned. NCDAC mission statement claims to encourage families to communicate and visit with their loved ones, but they have the most bull crap when it comes to even having visitations. Prison staff can deny, terminate, and cancel visits whenever they feel like it for their own reasoning. People drive hours to come visit only to arrive and say that they are not having visitations today, no phone calls no heads up nothing. Can you imagine disappointment and anger on both receiving ends? For all the facilities to be under NCDAC they each have a different set of rules when it comes to scheduling, dress codes, and allotted times for availability and visiting hours. I do not have the answer to why it is this way, when each prison is under one department.
Most of these prisons officials and staff only see them as inmates and do not take our complaints seriously at all. Like a bunch of disgruntled inmates who calls home and tells us. Which is not truthful, we are dealing with constant punishment and oppression while being subjected to inhumane living conditions and lack of accountability from the NCDAC. So, I will close this out by saying this, we are not asking for much at all. The things that we would like to see implemented will only help our future neighbors be better individuals for not only us but mainly for them. We are asking that the Non-profits, preachers, activists, abolitionists, and those who are privileged to go on the inside to take the time out to speak with someone who is a resident of the North Carolina Department of Corrections, not just the paid employees. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact us at (910)-733-7446 or you can email me at btwtalk@yahoo.com