Named Prison of the Year by Inmate & At Risk SAVE Program
Federal Correctional Institution 2 Butner has been named "Prison of the Year." Safeguard Atone Validate Educate has recognized the exemplary rehabilitative programs offered to the 1,700 inmate population. "FCI 2 - Butner is a school of tools," says SAVE President Cedric Dean. "Prisoners are helping prisoners become community assets instead of community-terrorist." The prison's Education Department has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing innovative and creative educational opportunities. The inmate teachers encourage other inmates to accept the responsibility to identify specific educational needs, set personal goals, and select activities, programs and/or work experiences which will help to reach those goals.
October 13, 2011, the prison's Performing Arts class produced a stage play entitled, "Never Give Up On Your Dreams." Two professors from the North Carolina Central University Performing Arts Department were special guest critics. They gave the prisoners rave revues and uplifting feedback. The star of the play, 23 year old Marquette Henderson, was recently released to Charlotte, N.C. where he is pursuing a professional entertainment career. "After hearing those professors tell me that they've never seen a play this good, I am convinced that I can make it all the way," says Henderson.
The inmate tutor/aide program provides an effective alternative to combat inmate idleness and promotes positive use of the inmate labor force. Prisoners are permitted to teach adult continuing education courses and other self-improvement classes. "Inmates enrolled in the ACE program are more likely to make a successful reentry than inmates who are not," says Inmate Tutor Ronald Campbell who teaches two self-improvement classes. "Teachers are breeding teachers. I am a teacher today because other inmates taught me the right way." Campbell, 32, was shot by police as he attempted to flee during his arrest for firearm violations in 2007. Since his arrival to FCI-2 Butner, he has acquired marketable skills, leadership, and mentor training. (The prison's skill training is marketable at least at the normal entry level for specific occupational titles or a cluster of titles).
FCI-2 Butner offers more than 30 adult continuing education courses. Each course has a written curriculum which establishes measurable objectives and goals. Titles include: Parenting, Employ-ability, How to Start a Legitimate Business and Rational Thinking. Vocational training is the crux of the prison's Occupation Education. Most notably, there are automotive, small appliance repair, and culinary arts programs. The automotive training is a product of the Meineke Car Care Center Second Chance Program.
"I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the Meineke Corporation for a second chance at life," says ex-offender Robert Taylor who served time at FCI-2 Butner for bank robbery. "I am thankful for the job opportunity and responsibilities given to me on a daily basis and realize that this second chance for a decent future should not be taken lightly. With these thoughts in mind, I would tell anyone who has been in my position that the Meineke program is beneficial to those who take it seriously." Meineke is garnering nationwide praise for its commitment to closing the window on crime. "Robert has shown up for work on time every day and is a real team player. He cares about the quality of his work and seems happy to have been given the chance to prove himself. This hire was a win win," says Meineke.
In the fall of 2011, FCI-2 Butner's mentoring program expanded its programmatic thrust beyond prison walls to Warrenton Elementary School, one of North Carolina's most impoverished schools. The inmates donated money from their personal accounts to purchase school supplies for the children, while the staff made tangible contributions to the school, also. Dylan Crabtree, a 19 year old GED tutor who is serving 9 years for a firearm offense, said FCI-2 Butner is giving a chance to those who never had a chance. "I am more mature, more stronger, and more wiser," he says. "I never would've been doing what I am doing today without the life-changing opportunities at Butner."
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