POLKTON, N.C. — A former North Carolina prison is being reconstructed to support students now.
Lanesboro Correctional Institution in Anson County once housed hundreds of the state's most violent prisoners. A new trade school will take its place with the goal of supporting the families of those incarcerated and reducing the number of repeat offenders.
“We have more people incarcerated in this country than any other country in the world and that's the cycle we wanted to break," founder Cyril Prabhu said.
The project is a personal passion for Prabhu after he said he grew up without a father and nearly lost his life to gun violence. Since then, he's worked to support children of those incarcerated through the nonprofit Proverbs 22:6, offering mentorship and financial support to families in need.
Once finished, the new 5 and 2 Trade School will offer a free education to those with incarcerated parents, according to Prabhu.
“Forty-two states in this country have more jails and prisons together than colleges, and so today, it's, like, a special day for us, because we wanted to first begin here, the healing process," Prabhu said.
Over the next few months, he said they will convert the former prison into classrooms and learning spaces for topics like welding, plumbing, cooking and home repair.
While the cost to build will take millions, Prabhu said the state of North Carolina offered to sell the land for just $1 in support of their mission.
Rocky Hupp said the school's creation is an act of God, after he was once incarcerated at Lanesboro. Now, he will be the new school's director of operations.
“Our past, you would think would disqualify us for so much, and those are the very things that God uses to qualify us to do things," Hupp said. “God is bigger than our mess. You know, it's just unreal, being able to come full circle.”
They hope to have the first classes start in the fall.
The project is made possible by donations and community support. Those able to offer a service or donate toward the school can do so by visiting 5 and 2 Trade School online.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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