Mecklenburg County shelved plans to reopen Jail North for young offenders. Why? The main detention center holds more than 2,000 people. Classes and support programs that prepare inmates for release have been thrown into chaos.
Groups working inside Mecklenburg County Detention Center say the packed conditions have complicated their mission. Life Connections of the Carolinas and Step Up to Leadership provide classes, mentorship, and reentry help to those behind bars.
“Classes start getting called off because officers can’t transport individuals to the classrooms,” said Glenn Smith, founder and executive director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, according to WCNC. “Everything gets locked down.”…