Inmate Programs

Our inmate programs were developed with the mission "to provide inmates housed in the Cabarrus County Detention Center the opportunity for change through positive experiences with community and faith-based organizations whose mission is to help individuals become successful and productive members of our community."

The purpose of all programs is to keep the inmate residents productively occupied through learning that provides opportunities for change and reintegration into our community and society.

Currently, more than 100 community members volunteer their time to help with the programs. With the challenges of COVID-198 in an effort to protect both volunteers and inmates, we needed to make changes to classes that accommodate guidelines put in place by the CDC and the State. We hope to have all of our classes offered again by this summer.

Bible studies, AA/NA, Literacy, Circle of Parents (for women) and Inside Out Dad (for men) are offered weekly, along with more intensive classes such as Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Employment Readiness, Building Up U and Adult-Teen Challenge: Stepping into Freedom.

All classes are led by committed volunteers who believe in the mission of our programs. Volunteers have provided nearly 16,100 program hours since 2012 to inmate residents in the Detention Center. In 2019, the cost of a volunteer was $25.43, which saved Cabarrus County $50,580.27 in cost of services.

Stepping Up – Cabarrus County (Launched in 2018)

Cabarrus County Commissioners signed a proclamation to support the Stepping Up Initiative in the fall of 2017. The Cabarrus Detention Center partnered with Daymark Recovery to house a Human Resources case manager who works with individuals that are positive for mental health or substance use screens and links them to services through a transition plan that includes a treatment appointment. A re-entry case manager works with individuals following incarceration, to provide support in connecting services in the transition plan. Between January 2018 and the summer of 2019, 247 inmates left the detention center with a transition plan to follow.

Building Up U (Launched in fall 2017)

Building Up U is a program that focuses on the physical, spiritual and mental well-being that fosters healthy decision making. This program teaches women to identify simple strategies that help reflect on past actions that played a role in their current life situation. Building Up U is taught around the concept of daily life in our house. Each room in the house addresses important concepts used to manage life, provides background as to why the room is important and furnishes activities to move life from stressful survival to joyful living and to full personal brilliance. Women learn to recall, construct and implement new life tools; develop the ability to manage emotions and utilize new decision-making skills during stressful times, while incarcerated and upon release.

AA Recovery (Started in fall 2011)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share experience and hope with each other to try to solve common problems and help others to recover from alcoholism. AA group meetings consist of messages of recovery from active AA members in a recovery program. When inmates are released, meeting information will be made available so inmates can continue the road to recovery, which is started in the Detention Center setting.

Circle of Parents Support Group for Women Inmates (Launched in January 2016)

Circle of Parents is a program of the Cabarrus Partnership for Children. Groups are made up of inmates with children up to age 18 who come together and identify concerns or needs they have as parents or grandparents. The facilitator guides the discussion to maintain relevance and incorporate input from all participants.

1. The curriculum is based on the five protective factors of families:
2. Parental resilience
3. Social and emotional competence of children
4. Creating support for parents
5. Social connections and parental knowledge of child development and parenting skills

Introduction to Domestic Violence Class for Women Inmates (Started in January 2013)

This class provides an overview of domestic violence (DV), including these topics:

• What is DV?
• Facts of DV
• Why does DV happen?
• 10 Myths about DV
• What does abuse do to women?
• What does an abuser get from the abuse?
• What qualities do women demonstrate who survive abuse?
• What can we all do about it?

Restoration Link (Launched in November 2012)

This support group class implements a closed support group that meets the natural and spiritual needs for women who find themselves in difficult circumstances due to dysfunctional intimate relationships, marriages, spousal abuse or divorce. The group provides a safe and affirmative environment for women to address issues of common concern and provides peer contact, an opportunity to learn from others in similar situations, a way to give and receive support and feedback and help in experiencing personal growth. 

Employment Readiness Workshop (Launched in February 2016)

This program helps job seekers with a criminal background by giving them the tools needed to effectively market themselves to employers and re-enter the workforce. The goal of the program is for individuals to become gainfully employed and self-sufficient.

Topics include:

1. Who can help find jobs?
2. How should I respond to the criminal record question?
3. What is the most important thing for an employer?
4. How do I correctly complete an application?
5. What is the most successful way to find work?
6. What hiring incentives are offered through the NC Department of Commerce?

NA Recover (Launched in March 2012)

Narcotics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from narcotics. NA group meetings will consist of messages of recovery from active NA members in a recovery program. When inmates are released, meeting information will be made available so inmates can continue the road to recovery, which is started in the Detention Center setting.

Bible Studies (Started in January 2012)

This program provides faith-based classes using the Bible and Bible-based literature to lead and teach individuals how to live a productive Christian life.

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) (Launched in July 2018)

WRAP is a 10-week group self-designed prevention and wellness process that individuals can use to get well, stay well and make their life the way they want it to be. Developed in 1997 by a group of people who were searching for ways to overcome their own mental health issues and move on to fulfilling their life dreams and goals. WRAP is used extensively by people in all kinds of circumstances, by health care and mental health systems all over the world to address physical, mental health and life issues.

Adult Teen Challenge – Stepping Into Freedom (Launched in August 2019)

Adult Teen Challenge of Sandhills NC is a long-term-residential-faith-based recovery program for men ages 18+ with a drug or alcohol program. The mission of ATC is to Empower, Educate and Equip. The Stepping into Freedom classes are offered to sentenced inmates who are ready to make a positive change in their life through this 12-step class, offered weekly for six weeks.

For more information on inmate programs, contact Jodi Ramirez at jaramirez@cabarruscounty.us