Press Releases

Offender Escapes from Rutherford Correctional Center

State correctional officers and local law enforcement are seeking Rutherford Correctional Center minimum custody inmate Jeremy Keith Fincannon (#1384359), who was determined to be missing after a 7:30 a.m.

Help Available for Local Governments Affected by Florence

Help is now available for local governments working to recover from Hurricane Florence, with more than $7 million in grants and loans already provided, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

Division of Prisons Names a Dozen Employees of the Year

The N.C. Department of Public Safety honored a dozen Division of Prisons staff members today in their individual fields as Employees of the Year for their exemplary work or generous acts that benefited the agency and their communities.

Western North Carolina Readies for Wintry Weather

As portions of western and central North Carolina prepare for another round of winter weather expected to begin tonight, Governor Roy Cooper reminds people to be prepared and to be cautious when traveling in wintry conditions.

Peter Buchholtz Named Region Director for the South Central Region

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Peter Buchholtz as the new Region Director for the South Central Region with an office in McCain.

LaDonna Browning Named Regional Director for Western Region

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named LaDonna Browning as the new Region Director for the Western Region with an office in Valdese.

Community Mitigation Resiliency Workshops in Jacksonville and Kinston

Area residents can get tips and advice on how to protect their families and their homes from future disasters at community mitigation resiliency workshops.

Pamlico Correctional Institute Evacuated Without Incident

More than 550 offenders were evacuated from Pamlico Correctional Institution in Bayboro today without incident after an electrical switch gearbox caught fire last night.

UPDATE: Craggy Correctional Center Inmate Steven W. Coleman Back in Custody

A Craggy Correctional Center inmate who left his work assignment on Feb. 7 is back in custody after being captured today. 

Members of the Woodfin Police Department captured inmate Steven W. Coleman (#0082606) at approximately 3:30 a.m. 

Special Committee on School Shootings Presents Recommendations to Governor Roy Cooper

To strengthen school safety and help prevent school shootings, North Carolina schools needs to ramp up training for law enforcement and educators, improve physical security at schools, gather better information about potential threats, and invest in more mental health support for schools.