NC prisons commissioner: We’re tackling COVID safety issues on multiple fronts

Welcome to NC Voices, where leaders, readers and experts from across North Carolina can speak on issues affecting our communities. Send submissions of 300 words or fewer to opinion@newsobserver.com.

NC prisons are handling COVID

The writer is N.C. Commissioner of Prisons.

Regarding “Why Gov. Cooper needs to release more NC inmates. Now.” (Nov. 29 Opinion):

Yes, 10,870 offenders in state prisons have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. However, the infection rate the Nov. 29 op-ed writer cited does not account for the 31,042 offenders who have been released since COVID began.

Dividing a 21-month cumulative total by a single day’s prison population (approximately 29,00) creates a skewed “over 35%” statistic.

The correct infection rate certainly will not equate to four times that of the general population. Also, comparing spread of infection within a congregate living setting to all of North Carolina is specious at best.

The state has already released thousands of offenders as a COVID safety measure. Extending the Limits of Confinement (ELC) and other initiatives allowed more than 4,500 offenders to complete their sentences in their communities. That’s more than the total negotiated in the settlement after three prisoners and social justice groups sued over prison conditions during the pandemic.

The state prisons population today is lower than at the beginning of the pandemic by 14.4%.

State prisons have implemented numerous infection control protocols to protect staff and offenders. Our offender daily infection rate has hovered between 0.1 and 0.2% for months. Today’s rate is 0.14% (41 offender positives out of 29,394).

Almost 77% of our offender population is vaccinated. And our staff have proven themselves to be heroes during this prolonged public health emergency.

Todd Ishee, Raleigh

Esports can change the game in NC

The writers are Esports industry executives.

Esports is a fast-growing industry that goes far beyond kids playing video games in their bedroom. It has changed the face of sports, with international tournaments, collegiate teams and pro gamers with thriving careers.

Esports revenue is estimated at $1.2 billion. In the U.S., esports viewership rivals some professional sports like Major League Baseball. On the collegiate level, more than 170 colleges and universities have varsity esports teams, offering approximately $16 million per year in scholarships.

North Carolina is on the front lines of this global esports explosion and a new incentives program in the new state budget promises to raise the state’s profile even higher. The new Esports Industry Grant Fund will award $5 million annually to esports event producers spending at least $250,000 in the Tar Heel State, reimbursing up to 25% of their expenses, with priority given to events that employ N.C. residents and draw in-person spectators.

That’s a smart move. Esports competitions are a powerful economic engine, filling stadiums and attracting large audiences — but also spotlighting host cities. When Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six tournament went to the Raleigh Convention Center in 2019, it unlocked $1.45 million in direct economic impact for the city.

Thanks to this year’s state budget, UNC Greensboro and N.C. State will get millions of dollars each to build esports facilities, plus $4 million for an esports mobile arena truck. Those investments will add to several other N.C. colleges that have introduced esports teams and invested in advanced workstation labs and arenas in recent years.

Students studying careers in the gaming industry don’t have to go far to use their skills in the workplace. Companies like Lenovo, Red Storm Entertainment, and Epic Games are headquartered in the Triangle region. In Charlotte, the Charlotte Phoenix is a professional esports organization hosting local tournaments and attracting more gamers.

A stronger esports presence can help to attract students, businesses and highly skilled workers, all of which support community economic development objectives. With our remarkable state history and culture of research and innovation, North Carolina is now seizing the esports opportunity before us to further drive economic growth for generations to come.

Jeff Palumbo

Solutions manager, Lenovo Global Esports

Ed Tomasi

Chief managing director, Subnation Media

This story was originally published December 7, 2021 at 12:44 PM.