Press Releases

A Central Prison offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We sympathize with the offender’s family, as losing a loved one is hard enough, but especially so during the holiday season,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We continue working diligently to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons because the health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority.”
RALEIGH – An offender at Nash Correctional Institution, diagnosed as COVID-19-positive, died Christmas night. The 81-year-old offender had extensive underlying medical issues. The offender received a COVID-19-positive diagnosis on Dec. 8 and was hospitalized on Dec. 20 when the patient became more symptomatic.
MARION--Offender Corey Hudson (1309142) died Christmas night at Marion Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in a housing area at 8:37 p.m. CPR was initiated by prison medical staff. Local paramedics responded to the facility and after continuing to attempt resuscitation, pronounced Hudson’s death at 9:28 p.m. Prison officials and local law enforcement are conducting the investigation. Hudson, 25, was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in Buncombe County in Aug. 2019 and was serving a four-year sentence.   ###
An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died. “Losing a loved one during a holiday season is always difficult and we sympathize with the family,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We continue working hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons because the health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority.”
An Anson Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died. “Her death is tragic. We are working hard to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offender population is our top priority.” The offender tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized on Nov. 26. She died on Dec. 21.
Offender Darrell Black (#0512155) died Monday at Piedmont Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in a housing area at 4:52 p.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the offender. He was pronounced dead at 5:21 p.m. at the facility by EMS. DPS officials and local law enforcement are conducting the investigation. Black, 54, was convicted for larceny in Stanly County in Oct. 2020 and was serving a one-year sentence. 
A team of American Correctional Association auditors has recommended accreditation be awarded to the Moore Recycling Plant, a Correction Enterprise operation that recycles license plates and road signs. The recommendation is a high achievement in what is one of the first steps to full accreditation of the prison system.
Last night, an ALE special agent was assisting Concord Police Department when an armed individual opened fire on law enforcement, killing one officer and seriously injuring another. 
A Greene Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died. “His death is saddening. We are working hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offender population is our top priority.”
On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper, Secretary Mandy K. Cohen and Secretary Erik Hooks wrote a letter to local elected officials imploring them to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in their communities by considering additional enforcement measures. “Now more than ever we need help with enforcement from our local partners to fight this raging pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “Taking steps now to protect our communities by enforcing safety precautions will help reduce transmission of the virus and save lives.”