Press Releases

Unit Manager Brent Soucier (pronounced Sue-sher) is in stable condition. Both inmates are still receiving medical treatment.    ORIGINAL UPDATE

UPDATE The occupants in today's SHP aviation crash are identified as follows:   The pilot is identified as Trooper R. M. Collie, assigned to Troop I, District 4 in Wake County. The passenger has been identified as Clint Stone, Assistant Federal Security Director with TSA/Federal Air Marshal Service.    

WHAT: N.C. Prison Reform Advisory Board Quarterly Meeting DATE/TIME: Tuesday, June 19, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. WHERE: Governor’s Crime Commission, Room 100, 1201 Front St., Raleigh

At approximately 9:44 a.m. this morning at Craven Correctional Institution, a correctional officer was struck by an inmate in the facial area with his hands. Staff restrained the inmate and the injured correctional officer was taken to an outside medical facility, where he was evaluated and released. The incident is under internal investigation and local law enforcement was contacted. DPS is cooperating with local law enforcement related to any criminal charges that may be filed. ###

Assaults to a correctional captain and inmate took place in two separate incidents on June 17 at Scotland Correctional Institution. At approximately 11:40 a.m. during lunch, an inmate was found injured in his pod by staff. It is uncertain how the inmate was injured, but the injuries noted are consistent with those received in a physical assault. The inmate was transported to outside medical for evaluation and treatment of what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.

At approximately 11:24 a.m. today at Polk Correctional Institution, inmate Alexis Ramirez (#1520499) assaulted three correctional officers with a homemade weapon. Two correctional officers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries; one officer has since been treated and released. Ramirez was transported to an outside medical facility for evaluation and treatment of injuries.

State correctional and local law enforcement officers are seeking Pasquotank Correctional Institution inmate Devonta Respers (#1229310), who was reported missing from the minimum custody facility this morning at 10 a.m. 

Pasquotank Correctional Institution Minimum Custody Facility inmate Devonta Respers (#1229310), who was reported missing from the minimum custody facility this morning at 10 a.m., was captured by prison staff at 11:52 a.m. Prison security staff, using dogs, captured Respers off U.S. Highway 17 in Elizabeth City near the facility. He was found in a ditch next to the highway. Respers, 25, was serving a sentence for assault with a deadly weapon on a government officers/employees and was admitted to prison on Jan. 25, 2017. He was scheduled for release in April 2020.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Drew Stanley as the new superintendent at Warren Correctional Institution in Manson. Stanley replaces Kevin Barnes, who retired.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Roderick Watson as the new superintendent at Johnston Correctional Institution in Smithfield. Watson replaces Drew Stanley, who moved to Warren Correctional Institution. Watson was the Assistant Superintendent for Custody and Operations at Maury Correctional Institution since 2014 prior to his promotion. He has been with the Department of Public Safety since 1993 after leaving the U.S. Air Force.