WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) – Air conditioning units are coming to Columbus Correctional Institution to cool spaces containing beds, according to the N.C. Department of Adult Correction.

Per the announcement, the new AC units will be installed as part of an initiative to bring cooling to the remaining 34% of beds in the state’s correctional system.

“Construction timelines for this summer anticipate cooling for 426 beds to be completed by the end of this month, another 475 beds by the end of July, and 757 more in August. [N.C. Department of Adult Correction] expects to have all housing areas in the state prison system air-conditioned by early 2026,” the announcement states.

New Hanover County, as well as Orange County, recently had AC units installed to cover all bed spaces.

“In the non-air-conditioned spaces, staff are making ice water available and running industrial-sized fans, following DAC’s Heat Stress Management Plan,” NCDAC adds. “All facilities are using caution for outdoor activities and taking steps to educate and monitor for signs of heat stress.

“The air-conditioning project involves work on more than 140 buildings at 40 state prisons. Besides cooling systems, the upgrades include fire alarm improvements and installation of USB power outlets, which will allow easier charging of the electronic tablets used by offenders.”

The work is providing rehabilitative vocational opportunities for over 200 offenders that are interested in learning the construction trade.

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.