Press Releases

Today during its quarterly meeting, the Governor’s Crime Commission discussed  prison management practices and efforts to improve safety at North Carolina prisons.

What: Governor's Crime Commission Quarterly Meeting

When: Thursday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Governor’s Crime Commission, First Floor Conference Room, 1201 Front St., Raleigh

RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper has declared Dec. 3 - 9 as Winter Weather Preparedness Week and is urging North Carolinians to plan, prepare and be ready for potentially dangerous winter weather in the months ahead.  

A new law goes into effect today that helps increase public safety at prisons in North Carolina. As of Dec. 1, it is illegal to fly unmanned aircraft systems, also called drones, 250 feet above and within 500 feet of correctional facilities.

Governor Roy Cooper today announced that Disaster Recovery Centers will open this week to help Caldwell and Wilkes county residents who were affected by storms that struck in late October.

Inmate Terry Poole (#0694086) died Tuesday evening at Lanesboro Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell at about 6:20 p.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the inmate, but were unsuccessful.

Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks today announced the addition of three new members to his leadership team.

Approximately 74 federal, state, and local officers combined forces this week in Wayne County to seek subjects wanted on outstanding warrants and to conduct searches of high-risk individuals under the supervision of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Correctional staff from Wake County and local law enforcement are searching for escaped inmate Larry J. Locklear (#0245809).

Secretary Erik A. Hooks today met with employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution to listen to ideas, observations and concerns following the violent attack Oct. 12 that resulted in the deaths of four employees.