Hurricane Helene has left its mark on North Carolina, particularly affecting the state's prison system. Following the storm's impact, which occurred on September 27, advocacy groups are calling for the release of nearly 2,000 inmates due to overcrowded conditions exacerbated by the closure of several facilities. Four prisons—Western Correctional Center for Women, Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution, Mountain View Correctional Institution, and Craggy Correctional Center—along with the Black Mountain Substance Abuse Treatment Center were shut down because of the damages caused by Helene.
According to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, this disruption forced the relocation of approximately 2,190 inmates to other prisons not affected by the hurricane. These transfers have sparked concern among human rights organizations, which argue they’ve led to substandard living conditions for the remaining incarcerated individuals.
“What needs to happen to avoid unconstitutional conditions within our prisons is for people to be let out of cages,” said Dawn Blagrove, the executive director of Emancipate NC, during a news conference called by multiple advocacy groups. At the heart of their complaints is the claim of overcrowding and the urgent need to alleviate the strain on the existing facilities. They are pushing for the immediate release of at least 400 women and 1,500 men who are deemed nonviolent offenders and scheduled for release within the next two years.
The advocacy groups, which include the ACLU of North Carolina and Disability Rights North Carolina, delivered their concerns through a joint letter addressed to the state’s Department of Adult Correction. They argue the emergency circumstances stemming from Helene pose significant risks to the inmates' health and safety as conditions continue to deteriorate.
“Given the emergency circumstances, it is responsible and prudent to minimize the prison population,” the letter stated, advocating for the release of low-risk individuals. Officials from the correction department have responded, with spokesperson Keith Acree disputing the groups' claims, describing them as “misinformed or grossly exaggerated.” Details about specific claims were not provided, with Acree instead promising more information would follow.
Reports from within the facility paint a grim picture of the current situation. Advocates highlight accounts from inmates who reported being confined without access to clean water, limited food rations, and even having to cope with unsanitary conditions. "While people sought refuge from the storm, the incarcerated people were confined in cells without lights or running water for nearly a week," read the letter from advocates, pinpointing alarming instances of detention conditions.
With the prisons still grappled with infrastructural issues like lack of water and sewer services, the forecast for restoring these amenities remains uncertain, confirming fears of long-lasting impacts from the hurricane. The need for action is amplified by the staggering projected cost of the damages caused by Helene, estimated at $53.6 billion, alongside the heartbreaking toll of over 100 lives lost.
Past instances during the COVID-19 pandemic where 4,500 inmates were released to help curb the virus's spread gives the advocates hope. They argue similar steps now could prove beneficial for all involved, ensuring humane treatment of inmates isn’t sacrificed amid the chaos of disaster recovery. "The sky didn’t fall and the streets weren’t run amok with crime,” asserted Blagrove, reflecting on the preceding releases.
While the N.C. Department of Adult Correction plans for longer-term solutions, the advocates are prepared to take legal action if their demands are not met within the next few weeks. Elizabeth Simpson, the strategic director at Emancipate NC, has expressed the aim to avoid litigation but remains resolute should conditions fail to improve. "We always want to avoid litigation, if possible, but we may pursue legal action if the crisis persists," she cautioned.
The situation is now part of broader oversight as North Carolina navigates recovery from Helene. Blagrove articulated the sentiments of the advocates many have likely overlooked during such calamities, saying, "We ask people not to forget those incarcerated as North Carolina recovers and rebuilds.” With the future of many inmates hanging on the response to their pleas, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has revealed the fragile nature of the systems meant to protect citizens, raising significant moral and legal questions about prisoner treatment during emergencies.
