Pocahontas State Correctional Center

The Pocahontas State Correctional Center is a medium-security prison located on 35 acres just outside the town of Pocahontas, Virginia. The $68.6 million facility was completed in the summer of 2007, and opened in September, 2007.

Details

The prison has the capacity to house 1,000 inmates in the general population, and 24 inmates in the segregation units. The number of people employed at the prison is expected to reach 330.

The prison will provide counseling and group programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Anger Control, Breaking Barriers, and Phases I and II of Psycho-Educational Substance Abuse.

Basic education/GED preparation, Literary Incentive Program, and college courses will be offered to inmates. Additionally, vocational courses will be provided, including electricity, small engine and motorcycle repair, floor covering, general maintenance, carpentry, plumbing and computer literacy.

Responsible for overseeing and constructing of the prison was Warden S. K. Young, a graduate of Emory and Henry College. Mr. Young has 26 years of experience dealing with prisons at all levels.

Pocahontas State Correctional Center will have a recycling program for paper, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, and printer cartridges. Additionally, the prison will produce bio-diesel fuel from waste oil from the kitchen. This fuel will be used in motor vehicles operated by the prison.

External links

* [http://www.vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities/western/pocahontas/ Virginia Department of Corrections: Pocahontas State Correctional Center]

References

* [http://www.bdtonline.com/archivesearch/local_story_232200444.html, Bluefield Daily Telegraph]
* Pocahontas State Correctional Center brochure