Press Releases

Six months after Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, storm survivors are getting help to recover and work is underway to make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient. However, much work lies ahead and North Carolina and its recovery partners are committed to helping people and communities rebuild, Governor Roy Cooper said today.

Today, many of the leaders in North Carolina’s efforts to get people leaving prison on track to lead productive lives came together in Greensboro to learn, share information and develop new strategies during the 2019 North Carolina Reentry Summit. The summit, “Harnessing Hope for People Returning from Incarceration,” brings together members of community and faith-based organizations with experts in reentry to expand their knowledge of the needs and obstacles faced by people returning home from prison. 

Beginning today, the ReBuild NC Application Center in Wayne County has been relocated. The new Wayne County Application Center is located in Goldsboro at 210 Dixie Trail. Hours of operation will remain the same; the center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All applicants currently being served by the Wayne County Application Center will still be able to maintain regular contact with program staff via phone, email or in-person at the new location.

On March 11 at approximately 6:55 p.m. at Maury Correctional Institution, offender William Walls (#0422980) was assaulted and killed at the facility.  Walls, 72, was struck by another offender during an altercation and was found unresponsive. Correctional officers, medical staff and local paramedics performed CPR until Walls was pronounced deceased at 8:14 p.m. by the EMS.

The State Highway Patrol has taken a suspect into custody after this morning’s shooting in Orange County.  Authorities from the SHP, Orange County S.O., Chapel Hill P.D. and Hillsboro P.D. joined forces to locate the suspect in a wooded area near Blackwood Mountain Rd after an exhaustive search.     At approximately 2:00 a.m., a state trooper attempted to stop a 2008 GMC SUV for a speeding violation on I-40 in Orange County.  The driver of the SUV failed to stop for the trooper, initiating a pursuit.    

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Sarah Cobb as the new Deputy Director for Auxiliary Services for the state prison system. She will assist Director of Prisons Kenneth Lassiter in overseeing programs in the state’s 55 prisons.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor’s Crime Commission Meets Thursday in Raleigh

Governor Declares March 3-9 Severe Weather Preparedness Week Governor Roy Cooper has declared March 3-9 as Severe Weather Preparedness Week and urges North Carolinians to use the time to prepare and practice safety plans in case severe weather strikes. North Carolina is traditionally an active tornado and severe thunderstorm state with spring the most active season, although severe weather can occur at any time of year. 

The N.C. Department of Public Safety recently recognized nursing educator Valerie Trexler as a Division of Prisons Employee of the Year. “Valerie works hard to provide quality health care,’’ said Director of Prisons Kenneth Lassiter. “I am pleased to honor her for her accomplishments on behalf of the agency. She is a dedicated professional.” The Employee of the Year awards were given near the conclusion of a two-day leadership workshop attended by more than 150 executive-level leaders in the prison system on Feb. 18-19.

The N.C. Department of Public Safety recently recognized Division of Prisons program supervisor Ralph Hill as an Employee of the Year. “Ralph is a consummate professional who embodies the dedication to duty shown throughout the agency,’’ said Director of Prisons Kenneth Lassiter. “I am pleased to present this award to him for his exemplary work.” The Employee of the Year awards were given near the conclusion of a two-day leadership workshop attended by more than 150 executive-level leaders in the prison system on Feb. 18-19.