Press Releases

A sergeant at Bertie Correctional Institution has died following an assault by an inmate at approximately 5:30 Wednesday evening. Sergeant Meggan Lee Callahan, 29, died at approximately 6:20 p.m. despite life saving measures conducted by Bertie CI medical staff and local first responders.

Despite sunny skies, North Carolinians need to look out for flooding in low-lying areas, avoid flooded roads, and stay tuned to local weather updates, Governor Roy Cooper warned today.

Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks has named Caroline C. Valand as the next executive director of the Governor’s Crime Commission. She begins her new duties May 1.

Following unusually heavy rains across the state, Governor Roy Cooper is urging North Carolinians to watch for flooding in low-lying areas, avoid flooded roads, and stay tuned to local weather forecasts.

Through an open house on Thursday, April 27, Secretary Erik A. Hooks of the Department of Public Safety, along with W. David Guice, Chief Deputy Secretary of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, will introduce elected officials and community leaders to the renovated Lenoir Youth Development Center

Secretary Erik A. Hooks of the Department of Public Safety today named Kenneth Lassiter as the new Director of Prisons, effective May 1.

Secretary Erik A. Hooks of the Department of Public Safety today named Tracy Lee as the new Director of Community Corrections, effective May 1.

Governor Roy Cooper met with Wayne County leaders today to discuss efforts to help families and communities recover from Hurricane Matthew and to learn more about ongoing needs.

 Inmate Adam Tipton died this morning at a Winston Salem hospital, several days after an apparent suicide attempt. Tipton was found unresponsive in his cell at Piedmont Correctional Institution in Salisbury at about 10 p.m. on April 13.

Balu, a 2 ½-year-old German Shepherd, and his handler, State Capitol Police Officer Kevin Johnson, have worked and trained together for more than a year.

Alcohol Law Enforcement agents charged nine under-aged youths with alcohol and drug violations at an April 9 prom party held at a private residence with no adult supervision.

Governor Roy Cooper today met with Robeson County leaders to urge progress in programs that help families and communities recover from Hurricane Matthew; he also toured several locations impacted by the storm.

Death row inmate Eric Murillo (#0499258) died Sunday morning at Central Prison Regional Medical Center of apparent natural causes. Murillo, 66, was convicted in Richmond County and sentenced to death in April 1996 for the murder of his wife, Beth Murillo. ###

Nearly six months after Hurricane Matthew’s devastating landfall, North Carolina continues to make strides to help survivors and communities rebuild, but more help is needed for full recovery. “Matthew was a life-changing storm for North Carolina that uprooted families, and damaged homes, schools,

As part of its overall effort to assign new missions to prison facilities across the state, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety is working to reduce the use of segregation -- also known as solitary confinement or restrictive housing— and to improve mental health and reentry services fo