Press Releases
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed April 23-27, 2018 as Reentry Week in North Carolina to draw attention to efforts to help formerly incarcerated people become productive members of their communities.
Inmate John Dalton (#04383428) died Thursday at Central Prison after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 4 a.m. during the morning inmate count. Prison medical staff responded and worked to resuscitate the inmate. He was pronounced dead at approximately 4:57 a.m. at the facility.
Dalton, 47, was convicted as a habitual felon in Onslow County on June 30, 2017 and was serving a 6-year, 10-month sentence.
At Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks’ request, the Governor’s Crime Commission has established a special committee consisting of representatives from law enforcement, juvenile justice, courts, schools and others to identify resources and develop recommendations to strengthen school safety.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is proud to announce it will join a collaborative effort to reduce collisions along the I-95 corridor. Through support from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and states along the eastern portion of the U.S., the Drive to Save Lives Campaign is intended to increase visibility of law enforcement over a period of two days.
Local and state emergency management crews are conducting damage assessments this morning after suspected tornadoes yesterday took one life and caused damage in Greensboro and Rockingham County. National Weather Service meteorologists are visiting storm-damaged locations today to make official determinations about tornado touchdowns and intensities.
Governor Roy Cooper and staff have spoken with local officials in Guilford and Rockingham counties today and the governor plans to survey storm damage and join a news conference with local officials this afternoon.
As severe storms move across the state throughout the day into the evening, Governor Roy Cooper encourages North Carolinians to monitor weather forecasts and heed advice from local emergency officials.
This morning at approximately 8:30, an inmate assaulted another inmate at Lanesboro Correctional Institution. Correctional officers responded to the situation and one of the inmates turned and assaulted one of the officers.
The correctional officer and both inmates were taken to outside medical facilities with non-life-threatening injuries. Lanesboro’s close custody units are on lockdown.
Local law enforcement responded to the incident and we appreciate all their support. We will seek assault charges on the inmate who initiated the incident.
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The NC Division of Prisons today announced mission changes at several facilities to address safety, security and operational needs.
Inmate Jermaine Johnson (#0812684) died Saturday at Marion Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell at 8:58 p.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the inmate but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at 10:02 p.m.
Johnson, 30, was serving a life sentence for a 2011 arrest for first degree murder in Cumberland County. He was sentenced on March 17, 2014.
The Department of Public Safety has announced the first meeting of the Prison Reform Advisory Board will be Tuesday, March 20. Secretary Erik A. Hooks has appointed retired Army Maj. Gen. Elizabeth (Beth) Austin as chairperson for the board.