📰 Sheriff Paula Dance: Building Reform and Respect in Pitt County

Introduction

When Paula Dance was elected in 2018, she made history as the first Black female sheriff in North Carolina. But her legacy isn’t just about breaking barriers — it’s about breaking cycles. From the Pitt County Detention Center to the streets of Greenville and surrounding communities, Dance has reshaped law enforcement with a focus on rehabilitation, fairness, and community trust.

A Jail Unlike Others

Most jails are places where people simply sit and wait — for trial, for sentencing, for time to pass. Sheriff Dance has made sure Pitt County’s jail is different.

• She brings in outside organizations (ORs) to work directly with inmates.

• These groups provide counseling, mentorship, and skills training, aiming not just to punish but to reform.

• Inmates are encouraged to engage their minds, not just serve time.

  
  

My firsthand experience: I’ve seen how her jail operates — it isn’t about idleness. Sheriff Dance ensures that people inside are given opportunities to reflect, learn, and prepare for life after incarceration. That approach sets Pitt County apart from many other facilities across the state.

Mental Health Reform

• Sheriff Dance launched a mental health program inside the detention center, recognizing that untreated mental illness drives recidivism.

• The program has gained national attention and will be featured in a PBS documentary in November 2025, showcasing Pitt County as a model for progressive jail reform.

• By addressing mental health needs, she’s tackling one of the root causes of crime, not just its symptoms.

  
  

Community‑Rooted Policing

Dance’s philosophy is simple: law enforcement must be part of the community, not apart from it.

• Deputies are trained to reflect the values of the neighborhoods they serve.

• Outreach programs build trust between officers and residents.

• Transparency and fairness are emphasized, ensuring that policing is not just about enforcement but about partnership.

  
  

Integrity and Leadership

• Sheriff Dance has consistently emphasized integrity, fairness, and effectiveness as the foundation of her office.

• She has become a role model not only for women and people of color in law enforcement, but for anyone who believes policing can be both strong and compassionate.

• Her leadership has made Pitt County a statewide example of progressive law enforcement.

  
  

Looking Ahead

• Sheriff Dance has announced her intention to seek re‑election in 2026, aiming to expand her reforms even further.

• Her priorities include:

  • Growing mental health services in the jail.

  • Expanding partnerships with outside organizations.

  • Continuing to build trust between law enforcement and the community.

    Sheriff Paula Dance’s newest initiative is the RISE Program at the Pitt County Detention Center. It provides mental health support for inmates deemed incapable of going to trial due to psychiatric issues. Instead of waiting up to 180 days for evaluation at a state hospital, inmates can now receive treatment locally in about 45 days, restoring their capacity to proceed with court cases.

    
    

    📰 Feature Expansion: Sheriff Paula Dance’s New Program

    The RISE Program

    • Name: RISE (Restoring Individuals through Support and Empowerment).

    • Purpose: Helps inmates who are found incompetent to stand trial because of mental health conditions.

    • Problem it Solves:

      • Previously, inmates had to wait months — sometimes longer than the sentence they might have received — for transfer to a state hospital.

      • This backlog left people sitting in jail without treatment, worsening their conditions.

    • Solution:

      • Sheriff Dance’s RISE program provides on‑site mental health support at the Pitt County Detention Center.

      • Treatment is delivered in about 45 days, dramatically reducing wait times.

      • Licensed professionals work with inmates to stabilize them and restore their ability to participate in their legal proceedings.

    National Recognition

    • The program is being featured in a PBS documentary airing November 17, 2025, highlighting its success and impact.

    • Sheriff Dance has emphasized that many sheriff’s offices in the region don’t even know such a program exists, making Pitt County a model for reform.

    Other Reform Programs

    Sheriff Dance has also expanded recovery initiatives:

    • S.H.A.R.P. (Sheriff’s Hope and Recovery Program): Assists inmates with substance use disorders through therapy, peer support, and medication‑assisted treatment.

    • W.E.A.R. (Women’s Empowerment and Recovery): A similar program tailored for female inmates.

    Why It Matters

    • Reduces Jail Overcrowding: By treating inmates locally, fewer people languish in jail waiting for state hospital beds.

    • Restores Justice: Ensures defendants can face trial fairly, rather than being stuck in limbo.

    • Humanitarian Impact: Provides dignity and care to individuals who might otherwise be forgotten in the system.

    Conclusion

    Sheriff Paula Dance’s RISE Program is a groundbreaking initiative that blends compassion with efficiency. By cutting wait times from six months to just six weeks, she’s proving that local leadership can solve statewide problems. Combined with her recovery programs, Dance is reshaping Pitt County’s detention center into a place of reform, not just punishment.

    
    

Conclusion

Sheriff Paula Dance’s tenure proves that law enforcement can be both tough and transformative. By bringing in outside organizations, focusing on mental health, and ensuring inmates don’t just sit idle, she has redefined what a jail can be. Your firsthand experience confirms what many in Pitt County already know: under her leadership, the detention center is not just a holding facility — it’s a place where reform is possible.

As she looks toward another term, Sheriff Dance deserves recognition not only for making history, but for making lasting change.