Inmates take over North Carolina jail and hold guards hostage: Authorities
In North Carolina, inmates overtook the Bertie-Martin Regional detention Centre, taking two guards hostage around 5 a.m., with the incident ending around 1:45 p.m. after negotiations led to the release of some inmates and the recapture of the facility by law enforcement. Initially, 88 inmates and three guards were inside; two guards were taken hostage but later released, while a third escaped earlier. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and all those present were accounted for and treated if injured. Authorities suggest the takeover was related to concerns about conditions and inmate treatment,though specific motives remain unconfirmed. The FBI and other agencies responded, ensuring public safety and securing the site. The facility remains under investigation, with inmates transferred to other locations.
Inmates forcibly took over a local jail in North Carolina on Monday and held guards hostage for a few hours before releasing them through negotiations with various law enforcement agencies, according to state authorities.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said the incident unfolded around 5 a.m., with inmates at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center overpowering on-duty correctional officers.
Recommended Stories
When the takeover began, 88 inmates and three guards were inside the prison. Two guards were initially taken hostage and eventually released around 9:30 a.m., NCSBI said, while a third guard escaped the facility earlier. There were no fatalities.
“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”
Around 1:45 p.m., authorities said the incident ended and that federal and state law enforcement had cleared the facility.
“All inmates and staff are safe and accounted for, and those who sustained injuries have received treatment,” NCSBI said in a statement. “Inmates have been transferred to other facilities for housing, and the detention center will remain secured while personnel assess the extent of the damage. The public is asked to avoid the area as crews continue working to clear the scene.”
At least two groups of inmates were previously released from the facility through negotiations. A few remained in the prison at the time that the sheriff held a press conference. Authorities worked on getting the prisoners back into their jail cells.
It is unconfirmed as to why the inmates assaulted guards and took over the facility, but the incident appears to be related to concerns about conditions inside the detention center and the treatment of inmates. Ruffin acknowledged such concerns as “misinformation” and said he would address that further into the investigation.
ROY COOPER PROMOTES RECORD ON CRIME DESPITE GOP TARGETING HIM FOR FELON RELEASES
The FBI was among the mix of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that arrived at the scene to secure the perimeter. The detention center gets its name from two North Carolina counties, Bertie and Martin.
NCSBI said there is no active threat to the public and that it will provide additional information as it becomes available.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
