Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Aug. 12, 1982, edition 1 / Page 11
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STEVE AND WALTER % ...i nn} p (wrppn Rpsidenta Annual “August Jam” Set Fm*_ CampGreen Residents By Teresa Simmons Post Staff Writer August 12 marks the “August Jam" for resi dents at Camp Green. A time when residents invite one guest for a three-hour picnic with music and con versing. You may usually hear adverse information about prison systems...break outs, complaints. But Camp Green, a minimum - security prison in Char lotte, which houses 192 residents (with 62 on work release) possesses a satis fied atmosphere (at least within the realms of their situations). Walter, 25, who has been «prisoned at least since 8 with one year and eight months at Camp Green, points out that the minimum security is a “temptation.” When you’re outsiae of the gate playing basketball it's easy to want to run out into the woods. But the penalty is to re gress on the level scale and probably a return to a maximum security prison. “We have h^fter and more activities here at Camp Green," Walter con tinued. Adult Basic Edu cation Classes; Money and family mana gement class" es; Drug Abuse ahd Al cohol rehabilitation related classes; Community Read iness Training and more classes are offered. “Our goals and objec tives,” according to Super intendent Robert Reese, “are to improve, upgrade and expand the education al levels of our residents and to develop good work habits." Residents have to earn the privilege to be placed on work release. The phi losophy of the system is that if a resident has a job when released, chances for him or her committing a crime on the outside is decreased. PRISON RECREATION The question as to whe ther prisoners should be allowed certain privileges has been topic for discus sion in many circles. “If they are in prison they don’t need any recreation,” may be the reaction by one. “But prisoners are human beings and incarceration is enough punishment for any soul,” may be the response of another. The August Jam, the brainstorm of the Unit Re source Advisory Commit tee, has been an annual occurrence at Camp Green . for the past five years. Committee members, which now number about 12, provide refreshments and music for inmates and one guest. Last year in mates were allowed to in vite three guests but in flation knocked the other two away this year. i About three times a year inmates meet with the committee and submit their lists of wants, needs, desires and complaints. According to one spokes person of the committee, Gaynelle Roberts, "We can't always meet the de mands of the residents be cause they are against po licy." The committee also provides residents with their choice of speakers. Recently professional basketball star Cedric Maxwell spoke at the Camp Once a month some one is chosen to speak, a lawyer for Instance, or someone from Parks and Recreation. "At the first of the year we ask the men who they would like to see. We trv to have them interact with community,” Ms. Roberts continued. The August Jam is just another facet of preparing residents and allowing them the freedom they will assume once they enter the outside world" “It’s a good opportunity for the guys,” Walter ex plained. “It’s a good op portunity to be with your family or girl friend and it’s not, like a regular -visit," Walter attended last year’s August Jam. There is a big differ ence comparing maximum prison systems to Camp Green. “In other places you may learn how to he a better thief,” Walter ex plained. “But once you leave Camp Green there is no reason not to go home without some knowledge." Steve, 27, has been a resident at Camp Green since December 1. He is -looking forward to the August Jam. “It’s some thing I’ve never been to. It will be new to me and I’ll probably relieve more ten sion. It’s a double visit... more like a get-together." Comparing another unit Steve revealed that Camp Green has more recre ation. Everything in Salis bury was fenced in,” he "remembered. “fiut~here the basketball court is on the outside. You have weights to lift, horse shoes and other games.” Steve has even joined the Jay cees and helps with various community projects. Both Steve and Walter are presently looking for jobs. “I give a place one month to contact me. If I haven’t heard from them H5y thert I apply sume place else,” Steve asserted. Walter obtained his GED high school diploma while at Camp Green, Steve plans to begin his courses shortly. REGULATION We have already estab lished' that to receive the privileges of recreation or home passes one has to earn them within the prison system. Camp Green resi dents are to months lu two years to parole or expira tion. And remember Superin tendent Reese’s statement: “No one is automatically allowed work release," it has to be earned^ But even Reese had re servations at first about the August Jam. “We tried it and we have been fortunate. We have been without any problems at all.” It is not so bad to offer softball, basketball, horse -sliues, table games: tele— phone privileges to men or women, especially if they will not abuse them. THE SYSTEM —There are six minimum custody units located in North Carolina with most emphasizing short term education. Work release is the basic objective and goal for most inmates. At Camp Green education is on the site. The popula tion turns over quickly and usually there is not enough bed space. At last -check-, according to Superintendent Reese, 17,500 men and women were imprisoned in North Carolina. Fifty-four per cent of this number were black men and women. Could it be the economy? “The population for blacks was qp before the economy went bad,” Superintendent Reese responded. "There are a number of things - involved." “The ‘We don’t have the same opportunities’ atti tude is a cop out," Reese stated. “Racism is in volved and a high percent age of blacks’ value sys tems are also causes.” Cade Of Hade Coaches Is “An Alarming Situation” Continued from Page 1 black head coaches in basketball in the Charlotte Mecklenburg system, re ports that he is aware of "certain feelings" of dis content among—btack assistant coaches in the area. “I don't know of any concrete information that could prove their com plaints are justified," he stated “It’s the kind of thing you just can’t put your hand on.” Thompson was hired at East Mecklenburg in 1975 by the principal, Leroy “Pop " Miller, and the ath letic director, Vic Wil liams. He noted that coach es are usually chosen by agreement between the principal and athletic director at a school-with the athletic director gen erally making the recom mendation All 10 athletic directors at Charlotte Mecklenburg high schools w»ite. Thompson said:— When informed that Dave Harris had indicated few blacks apply for head coaching positions. Thomp son virtually echoed the response given by Rudy Abrams to the same in formation: ‘ That’s the same reason they've been giving for the last eight' or nine vears.'' In reference to the dif ficulties Abrams is having in obtaining another coach ing Job, Thompson com mented; ‘‘He did more than a helluva job at West Char lotte. Based on the job he did there. I’d think he’d be a top candidate for any coaching job. Maybe his leaving West Charlotte and Garinger has something to do with his problems-1 don’t know.” Thompson estimates “at least 60 percent" of the high school basketball players in Charlotte are black, and he figures that a similar percentage of the players in other cities in the state are black. As for the number of head black basketball coaches at North Carolina high schools-Thompson knows of fewer than “half a dozen.” —~"1 feel like black child rerr need more leaders and role models period,” Thompson concluded. “We haven’t had this over the years and as a result I think black kids actually respond better to whites in authority because they’re used to them, rather than blacks, being in positions of authority." Mike Pratt of Olympic High School, the only black coach o( a girls’ basket-— ball team in Charlotte Read The Charlotte Post each week. It’s your best source of news about the people you know OVER A CENTURY OF EXPERIENCE 1878-1981 OAK HILL ACADEMY Mouth of Wilson, Virginia 24363 Phone (703) 579-2619 i Coeducational Boarding- — • Accredited—Grades 9-12 0 Church Related 0 Mountain Setting Affiliated with and supported by the BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCATION OF VIRGINIi Oak Hill is open to all students of grades 9 through 12 and post-graduates without regard Jo race, color, sex or national origin. WE'VE STOOD L; THE TEST OF TIME ... Are we the answer to your educational needs? INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE —Ovality Education — Traditional Bask Educational Foundation —Individual Orientation —Small Classes — —Supervised Evening Study Hall —Acodemks—A rt—Musk—Drama PHYSICAL GROWTH «' Athletic Program * Intramural Sports * Basketball * Tennis * J Hiking CAMPUS LIFE SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS + Dedication + Commitment + Christian Eoculty + Chaplain + Christian Environment I living, learning. Shoring, Growing, Structure Otni tad %ee Oar Caatat! ^9^0*0 Ww Wl wBMpwW P*r catalog*, brochurot and appointment*, call or writ*: Carolyn Patton, Admnrionr Socrotory Oak HiM Acodomy, Mouth of Wibon, VA 24363 703-579-2619 APPLY NOW—TERM BE6IHS AUG, 22 Mecklenburg, agrees that there should be more black head coaches, "There de finitely should be more in football," he replied “I'm quite sure some biacks have—applied—for—open ings." Pratt has experi enced "no problems at all" at Olympic, however, “I’ve gotten every position I applied for," he revealed An assistant coach at Eastwav Junior High School, Bill Dulin. has not been as successful as Pratt in obtaining coaching posi tions. Dulin, who was an assistant to Rudy Abrams at West Charlotte, has worked as an assistant coach for six years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and has applied unsuc cessfully for head coach For The Most : JSiecr Shop Our Advertisers! ! ! ing jobs at West Meck lenburg and Myers Park "1 don't know why they went outside the system to hire coaches at Myers Park and Independence." Dulin commented 1 don^-knew what they're basing their qualifications on when they choose a man from Wil mington--a man who had a losing record -over coach Abrams." Dulin said that he is going to continue his efforts to find a head coaching position in Charlotte, even though he feels “frustrated sometimes " "1 don't know if there's any one thing you can put your finger on," Dulin ex plained, “but it seems like when coach Abrams left that was the end of black football coaches in Char lotte "----— Jeryl Todd, an assistant football coach and head track coach at Indepen dence, stated that he is not aware of discrimination against black coaches, “I've heard complaints from other coaches, but I try to have an open mind,' he answered Todd has not applied for head coaching vacancies and feels he is "not ready yet" to be a head coach in football' But he does agree there is a problem for black Cheches in the area: "It's a hard question and I've given it some thought I think there's a feeling that black coaches lack experience and manage ment skills I also think there may be a problem with community accep tance of head black coach es in football and basket ball." Next Week: Comments from local high school principals, school board members, and Supt. Jay Kobinson. I _*100 OFF YOUR DINNER -tr^rTl HOLLY FARMS MIXED FRYER -PRICES GOOD THROUGH SAT AUG. 7, 1982. QUANTITY RIGHTS RESERVED. NONE SOLD TO DEALERS. Mixed Fryer Parts we GLADLY accept FEDERAL FOOD STAMPS! FAMILY PACK HOLLY FARMS WHOLE CHICKEN LB. - U S No 1 WHITE 1TATOES ,0LB- ■ 19 BAG W LOW PRICES _ON FOOD EVERY DAY! 15C OFF LABEL ARMOUR |J2 OZ. CAN TREET 99* I 5* OFF LABEL I 5oz. VIENNA - SAUSAGE 39* F ASST GRIND I MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE 1 lb^19 bagjK WHITE CLOUD DATU TICCI 1C ^ 4-ROLL PACK 2050 N. Graham * Outlet Square • Southpark -4101 Park Rd.
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Aug. 12, 1982, edition 1
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