Monday, December 30, 2024

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Releases Language Access Plan to Support LEP Offenders

Raleigh
Dec 30, 2024

The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) is pleased to announce the release of its Language Access Plan. This initiative highlights NCDAC’s dedication to improving rehabilitation and supporting successful reentry into society. The plan is designed to ensure meaningful access to services, programs, and activities for offenders, their families, and the public who speak Languages Other Than English (LOTE) or are Limited English Proficient (LEP), with the goal of enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and reducing recidivism rates.

As one of the largest state agencies in North Carolina, with nearly 19,000 positions and an annual budget exceeding $1.9 billion, NCDAC manages approximately 31,500 offenders in correctional institutions and over 84,000 supervised offenders living in North Carolina communities. Recognizing the diverse linguistic needs of this population, NCDAC has developed this plan to address language barriers that can impede rehabilitation efforts.

The Language Access Plan also aligns with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Executive Order 13166, (“Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency”), and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), reinforcing NCDAC’s commitment to compliance with federal laws and ensuring non-discrimination and equitable access for all individuals.

The plan is designed to offer staff clear guidance, resources, and a formal process for effectively engaging with offenders and their families who speak LOTE or are LEP. Training programs, resources, and tools to support this initiative are currently in development.  

For more information on the Language Access Plan, please contact carolina.fonseca@dac.nc.gov