Helping Young People Make the Right Choice about Their Future

A growing number of our community's youth are in danger of falling prey to criminal activity. It surrounds them in their neighborhoods, in their schools, even at times in their homes. They face peer pressure that entices them to do things they may regret just to be "accepted" by the group. Most have no idea about the consequences of their behavior. As a result, many young people at an early age begin what may become a painful life of criminal behavior.

Aware that our young people have better choices than a life as habitual criminals, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, developed a new "Reality Program" to educate young people about the risks, consequences and long-term results of criminal behavior. The goal: more positive choices as a result of a good dose of reality.

"Our Reality Program stresses education, not intimidation," said Sheriff Jim Pendergraph. "We want to educate young people about the "reality" of what happens after someone is arrested. It is our earnest hope that each young person who has a glimpse of what it's like to be an inmate in a jail will reconsider his or her options and make better choices. We cannot force anyone to toe the line, but we can certainly let that person know in no uncertain terms what will happen to them if they don't."

Our Mission

To provide the community with a program which will help educate young people about the long-term effects of participating in criminal activity.

We want to give these young people an introduction to the criminal justice system so they can see first-hand the possible ramifications of criminal behavior. They will be made aware of how they must be accountable for their actions.

Who May Participate

The majority of participants will be students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools who have been selected by educators and/or Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police School Resource Officers. Concerned parents can access the program for their children by contacting their child's School Resource Officer.

Young people must be 13 years of age or older to participate. Participants will be in groups of 10 students or less. Each group will be made up of students from different schools.

School Resource Officers will make appointments Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. by calling the Reality Program Officer at 704-353-0819. Parents or guardians must sign a waiver before young people will be allowed to participate.

The Tour

Participants will report to Mecklenburg County Jail-Central, 801 E. Fourth Street. Tours are held on Saturday mornings beginning at 9:00am.  At the time of the tour, parents will attend a "Teen Issues" Forum, also at the jail. Those who participate must provide their own transportation.

The Jail-Central tour begins in the Arrest Processing Center. Participants will observe a finger printing demonstration on the LSS2000 Livescan machine and the mug shot photo procedure.

Next, participants will tour the Magistrate Hall to view a probable cause hearing. Following the hearing, they will proceed to the reception area where defendants are allowed to call family, friends or attorneys.

Upstairs in a jail disciplinary detention unit, participants will be placed in a cell to "feel" the impact of confinement. (They will be closely monitored.)

After the tour, participants will gather in an activity room where a "designated" inmate will speak to them about the consequences of making poor choices.  The inmate's "how-I-got-where-I'm-at" talk will give the young people a realistic view of how accountability for one's actions sometimes means arrest, jail and prison.

The Program concludes with a debriefing in the roll call room where participants will be shown the Mecklenburg County Sheriff"s Office Making Choices video.

For More Information

Check with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department School Resource Officer at your child's school or call the Sheriff's Office Program Officer at 704-353-0819.