‘We are still people’: North Carolina women’s prison helps inmates rehabilitate before re-entering society

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – CBS 17 is taking viewers inside the North Carolina women’s prison in Raleigh.

The prison granted CBS 17 evening anchor Angela Taylor rare access to see how the inmates are being rehabilitated before they re-enter society.

Every morning, Lea starts her day off with prayer.

It’s her first semester as a student at the College of Southeastern.

“I really just want to make my children and my mother proud,” said Lea.

But unlike other college programs, this one takes place inside the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women.

Lea said, “We are still people. Yes, we made a mistake. Yes, we are here, but yes we are still people.”

The field minister program is a first of its kind at this facility. Classes began in January of 2024.

These inmates just finished up their first semester. For inmates like Lea, it’s giving her a purpose.

“People said, ‘Oh, that’s the worst you could ever do with your life. That’s it. You’re just canceled. You’re just another number. You don’t even have a name anymore,'” said Lea.

Lea will be among the first class to graduate, and when she’s done, she will hold a Bachelor of Arts degree and work as a field minister within North Carolina’s prison system.

It’s a far cry from what put her in prison. She was convicted of robbery and kidnapping, but she’s determined to leave a better person for her family.

“They’re always on my mind because I want them to be proud, so this degree is not just for me. It’s for my children. It’s for my mother,” said Lea.

The field minster program is one of many inside the secured facility. It sits on 30 acres in southwest Raleigh, surrounded by barbed wire fencing. Inmates can be seen walking around.

On this day, offenders pick up their meals in the cafeteria and take them to where they are housed. Different color tops indicate their custody level. Women wearing pink just arrived.

This is where the process starts, but outside these walls holds a better future.

Cheree Cockerall helps produce North Carolina’s license plates. Each and every one are made right by these women.

“They help us with everything. Any problems or any issues? This is where it’s at,” said Cheree Cockrell, who was convicted on drug and weapons charges.

The license tag plant is a Correction Enterprises operation. Its sole purpose is to offset the challenges of reintegration, reduce recidivism and improve employment rates upon release.

Cockrell is a prime example of success. She will be out of prison in five months after serving 20 years with a forklift certification.

Angela asked, “20 years ago, would you have thought now that you’re leaving that you’d be as prepared as you are?”

“No. no. I definitely don’t. They’ve secured me. They help me. All of us. They are there for us. Mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally,” said Cockrell.

In another building through this locked gate, offenders sew everything from pajama pants to blue jeans.

It’s another Correction Enterprises operation that makes inmates employable upon release.

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, more than 190,000 women and girls are incarcerated in the United States. There are about 2,700 in the state prison population. More than 95% of those will be released someday.

For women like Lea, the field minister program is giving her a reason to be a better person than she was before.

She is not expected to be released until 2033, but she said she is ready to show the world that change is possible after incarceration.

“We’re gonna change lives within this facility and outside of it. We are here to not only gain an education or bachelor’s degree, but to uplift and encourage and to change everything,” said Lea.

Other programs offered include braille transcription, travel and tourism call center and an academic school.

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