Press Releases

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Third Employee Succumbs to Injuries Suffered in Pasquotank Prison Attack

Correctional Officer Wendy Shannon passed away Monday evening at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital from injuries suffered during an inmate escape attempt Oct.

Experts Survey Damage From Storms in Western NC Counties, Confirm Tornadoes in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties

Cleanup and damage assessment work continues in several western North Carolina counties after Monday’s strong storms and tornadoes.

Strong Storms, Tornadoes Impact Western Counties

A line of strong storms moved across North Carolina Monday afternoon and evening devastating a regional airport, damaging dozens of homes, toppling trees, closing roads and leaving several western North Carolina communities without power.

Head of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice to Step Down

W. David Guice, Chief Deputy Secretary for Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, is stepping down at the end of the month, the Department of Public Safety announced today. An acting Chief Deputy Secretary will be named in the coming days.

Department of Public Safety Announces More Actions Following Fatal Incident at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

The Department of Public Safety is taking more action to make prisons safer following a violent attack at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City that claimed the lives of two prison employees on Thursday, Oct. 12.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Veronica Darden and Justin Smith Memorial Services and Media Staging Area

WHAT: Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden and Correctional Officer Justin Smith’s Memorial Services WHERE: Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium               Burnim Fine Arts Center

MEDIA ADVISORY: Veronica Darden and Justin Smith Memorial Services and Media Staging Areas

WHAT: Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden and Correctional Officer Justin Smith’s Memorial Services

Death Row Inmate Dies of Natural Causes

Death row inmate Terry Ball, 59, died this morning of natural causes at Central Prison.

UPDATE: Correctional Officer Midgett Released From Hospital

Correctional Officer George Midgett, who was injured in the Oct. 12 failed inmate escape attempt at Pasquotank Correctional Institution, was released from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Tuesday night.

Pasquotank Correctional Institution Remains On Lockdown

Pasquotank Correctional Institution remains on lockdown after prison staff stopped an inmate escape attempt on Oct. 12 that resulted in the deaths of two employees.

State Prisons Take Immediate Steps to Assess and Improve Prison Safety Following Attack on Employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

The Department of Public Safety is taking immediate steps to make prisons safer following a violent attack at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City that claimed the lives of two prison employees this week.

Department of Public Safety identifies employees who died at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

The Department of Public Safety is releasing the names of employees who died today at Pasquotank Correctional Institution.

Gov. Roy Cooper's Statement on the Deaths of Employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

Gov. Roy Cooper shared the following statement on the deaths of employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution:  

Statements on the Deaths of Employees at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

STATEMENT FROM PUBLIC SAFETY SECRETARY ERIK A. HOOKS

Two employees killed in escape attempt at Pasquotank Correctional Institution

Two prison employees were killed and several others injured in an incident this afternoon at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City.