NH-DOC FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF FEMALE OFFENDERS

(Concord, NH) The New Hampshire Department of Corrections announced that the Shea Farm Halfway House in Concord is now an all-female facility. As of July 29, 2004 all minimum security female offenders from the Lakes Region Facility in Laconia were reassigned to Shea Farm and all male offenders at Shea Farm were reassigned to other halfway houses. Minimum security females from the New Hampshire State Prison for Women in Goffstown are transitioning to the Shea Farm facility.

"This is a positive change as it allows the department to better manage, supervise and provide programming to female offenders returning to the community," said Corrections Commissioner Stephen J. Curry.

"The efficient delivery of services to female offenders is enhanced by this change in how we do business," Commissioner Curry added.

Shea Farm's capacity is 40 residents. The facility will house inmates who are both working in the community and preparing to return to the community.