Press Releases

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. # # #

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.

The N.C. Department of Public Safety is partnering with the N.C. Department of Information Technology to combat the growing threat of cyberattacks. A new entity – housed in the State Bureau of Investigation’s N.C Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAAC) – will focus on promoting cyber awareness and information sharing and to provide actionable cyberintelligence to private and public sector partners and citizens.

Gaston Correctional Center minimum custody inmate Thomas Walker (#0421574), who was reported missing from the facility Thursday night, turned himself in to prison authorities Friday at 9:25 p.m. Walker was last seen near the facility at 11:21 p.m. on Thursday. Walker, 41, was serving a sentence for larceny over $1000 and was admitted to prison on August 12, 2014. He was scheduled for release this June. Walker has been moved to a higher custody facility and will face charges for his escape.

State correctional and local law enforcement officers are seeking Gaston Correctional Center minimum custody inmate Thomas Walker (#0421574), who was reported missing from the facility Thursday night. Walker was last seen near the facility at 11:21 p.m. Walker, 41, is a white male with a thin build who stands 5-foot-6 and weighs 126 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes originally from Gaston County. He was serving a sentence for larceny over $1000 and was admitted to prison on August 12, 2014. He was scheduled for release this June.

The Department of Public Safety today announced additional action steps taken to improve prison safety. The prison reform measures involve security policies and practices, training and hiring.

Much of North Carolina is feeling the effects of the latest winter storm, and North Carolinians should follow forecasts closely as snowfall spreads across the state, Governor Roy Cooper cautioned today. "Be prepared for heavy snow at times and stay off the roads if you can when conditions get bad in your area," Gov. Cooper said. "Even though the forecast tells us this storm will be short-lived, driving could remain hazardous tonight and tomorrow morning, especially on bridges and overpasses."