Jail cell on wheels used to educate children, community

KINSTON, Lenoir County — The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office is using an educational jail cell on wheels to teach children that jail is no place to be.

The trailer was donated to the sheriff's office by the Lenoir County Volunteer Fireman's Association and was transformed a year ago to resemble what the inside of a jail cell looks like.

Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said the trailer is equipped with fake prisoners, a bathroom and metal bars. The department has previously used it at barbecues and fairs to educate the community; he added that while it is a fun prop, it is meant to teach children that jail is not where they want to go.

"You can't bring them into our facility because of regulations and stuff," he explained. "We want them to see what it's like and show them this is not a place that you want to be; we use it for education."

The pandemic has canceled several events this summer, so Ingram said officials have not been able to use the trailer much. He hopes they will be able to use it in the near future.