ANSON COUNTY, N.C. -- The Anson Correctional Institution, which used to be called Lanesboro Prison, has renamed, and starting Wednesday will become a facility for female offenders.

• NCPDS said one of the causes was overcrowding of female offenders in other facilities.
• The facility has a recreation area equipped with a gym, a library and an area for educational classes.
• The existing Lanesboro minimum custody unit will continue to house lower risk male offenders.

NCPDS said one of the causes was overcrowding of female offenders in other facilities.

In June, male inmates moved to smaller facilities which ideally could provide better security.

Anson will be an upgrade for many of the inmates moving in. The facility has a recreation area equipped with a gym, a library and an area for educational classes.

“We'll see dividends for years to come because as you know we don't have capital resources to continue to build facilities, and so looking at every facility and getting the maximum use out of it, is our mission going forward,” said NCDPS Director of Prisons Kenneth Lassiter.

NCDPS said female offenders are still only a fraction of the total offenders in the state. The agency said there are around 3,000 female offenders and 32,500 male offenders housed in state prisons.

The existing Lanesboro minimum custody unit will continue to house lower risk male offenders.