Press Releases

As a powerful winter storm moves through the state today, Governor Roy Cooper and state officials urged people to stay home and stay safe, and to exercise caution if your power goes out.

Governor Cooper and state officials are urging North Carolina residents to complete their preparations today for the incoming winter storm, which will cause substantial impacts across the state beginning in the mountains tonight.

The N.C. Division of Prisons is ensuring that all offenders who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot – and who have consented to be vaccinated – are inoculated as soon as possible over the next several days.

A store clerk and underage driver have been charged following a single-vehicle collision that left one passenger dead. On Sunday, Dec. 26, North Carolina State Highway Patrol notified ALE of a fatal collision which occurred in Wilson County at approximately 12:48 a.m.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Uriel Rodriguez Rodriguez, 19, of Wilson. SHP suspected the consumption of alcoholic beverages was a contributing factor in the collision, and troopers subsequently charged Rodriguez with provisional DWI and other motor vehicle offenses related to the crash.

Two additional North Carolina prisons facilities have demonstrated high standards of security, safety and concern for offenders’ welfare that are necessary to earn accreditation from the American Correctional Association. The ACA’s Commission on Accreditation voted unanimously on Jan. 7 to award the distinction to: · Western Correctional Center for Women · Catawba Correctional Center The prison system is pursuing accreditation for all 55 prisons and other operations as part of its strategic plan. A number of other facilities have been accredited.

Officials with the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice have promoted Moses Barrow to Judicial District Manager for Division 2, District 12, effective Jan. 3, 2022. In this position, Barrow will oversee Community Corrections operations within Judicial District 12 which covers Cumberland County.

A strong storm system moving across North Carolina is bringing high winds, flooding, downed trees, power outages and snow in some areas. Governor Roy Cooper is urging North Carolinians to exercise caution during this severe weather today. “It’s better to stay off the road right now in many areas, but if you must drive, stay alert, reduce your speed and turn around if you encounter flooded roads,” said Governor Cooper.

A Greene Correctional offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We are working hard in our ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons. The health and safety of the staff and the offenders is our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We strongly encourage all offenders to elect to be vaccinated and boosted. It’s very important.”

Bertie Correctional Institution offender Dontavian Bartee (#1554435) has died after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell around 6:49 a.m. today. The prison’s first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender and pronounced Bartee deceased at 7:14 a.m. Law enforcement was notified of the death and is investigating, as is common in these circumstances. The Department of Public Safety is cooperating fully in the investigation and is also conducting its own investigation.

Tabor Correctional Institution offender Malek Moore (#1201849) has died after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell around 4:34 a.m. today. The prison’s first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender and pronounced Moore deceased at 4:56 a.m.