In a significant initiative aimed at facilitating the reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society, First Lady Anna Stein and Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes hosted an event at Western Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain. The event was graced by the presence of Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt and North Dakota First Lady Kjersti Armstrong, who observed a driver’s license restoration clinic and explored various rehabilitative programs offered at the facility.
The clinic was a collaborative effort involving staff and volunteers from Pisgah Legal Services and students from the Duke Law School Pro Bono Program. Their mission was to provide legal assistance to incarcerated women, helping them commence the process of restoring suspended driver’s licenses. A valid driver’s license is crucial for securing employment and fulfilling family responsibilities.
Secretary Dismukes remarked on the initiative, stating, “Having a driver’s license as a form of ID and to enable transportation is one of the most important tools for achieving stability after prison.” She expressed appreciation for the contributions of Pisgah Legal Services and Duke Law School Pro Bono Program, highlighting their role in enhancing lives and creating opportunities for those transitioning out of incarceration.
First Lady Stein also lauded the efforts, saying, “I’m proud of the Department of Adult Correction for reaching out to Pisgah Legal Services and Duke Law School’s Pro Bono Program to help this group of women be better prepared to reenter society.” She noted the added benefit of having First Ladies Stitt and Armstrong witness the impactful programs being implemented in North Carolina.
The Duke Law School Pro Bono Program is committed to improving access to employment and housing through efforts like criminal record expunction and driver’s license restoration. They offer free legal services, including record review and petition drafting, often collaborating with local nonprofits to extend their reach.
Pisgah Legal Services conducts clinics across western North Carolina, focusing on aiding low-income individuals in restoring suspended driver’s licenses, particularly those affected by unpaid traffic fines, court debt, or non-driving suspensions. Volunteer attorneys and partners often join these efforts, providing legal advice, petition drafting, and criminal record clearance.
The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction regularly partners with law schools and legal organizations to host driver’s license restoration clinics at various state prisons. The recent event coincided with the participation of the First Ladies in the National Governors Association’s Youth Mental Health Action Lab in Asheville. This gathering united First Spouses and state mental health policy staff nationwide to explore how First Spouses’ offices can advance mental health policies.
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