Press Releases

What: Convocation for the start of the N.C. Field Minister Program When: August 21, 2017 Time: 10 a.m. Where: Nash Correctional Institution            2869 U.S. 64 Alt., Nashville, NC 27856

Death row inmate Davy Stephens, 62, died Wednesday of natural causes at Central Prison. Stephens was convicted in Johnston County and sentenced to death for the 1995 murders of Lynn Wright, Kenneth Farmer and Michael Kent Jones. Stephens also received an additional sentence of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for each of the murders.

Nearly 40 law enforcement and probation/parole officers, as well as support staff from state, local and federal agencies, joined forces this week for Operation Summer Magic, an enforcement operation that served outstanding criminal warrants and conducted compliance checks on high risk and violent offenders on probation and parole in Franklin County.

Governor Roy Cooper today encouraged visitors to return to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands when evacuation orders lift at noon tomorrow following the restoration of power. “Residents and businesses on Hatteras and Ocracoke are ready to welcome visitors back to share their beautiful beaches and unique history and culture,” Gov. Cooper said. “Thanks to everyone involved including local and state officials for their tireless work to get power restored quickly and safely.”

Department of Public Safety Chief Deputy Secretary W. David Guice today named Chris Oxendine as the new Deputy Director of Community Corrections, overseeing field operations. Oxendine had been an administrator for the Special Operations and Intelligence Unit responsible for the Division of Criminal Investigation and Extradition.

In an effort to improve safety at state prisons, the Department of Public Safety is launching a new approach to train newly hired correctional officers more quickly. New officers will begin basic correctional officer training at the start of their second week on the job, following one week of orientation at their work location. By attending basic training within the first couple of weeks of employment, correctional officers will learn the policies, procedures, skills and abilities to help them be successful.

Department of Public Safety Chief Deputy Secretary W. David Guice today named Annie Harvey as the new Deputy Director of Prisons, effective today. Harvey’s career spans more 30 years with DPS, and she will oversee daily operations of the 55 state prisons that house more than 36,500 inmates. The state prison system has a budget of approximately $1.2 billion and more than 17,000 employees.

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Larry Marion as the new superintendent at Orange Correctional Center in Hillsborough. Marion, 57, was been the assistant superintendent at Orange CC since 2011, and has been with the Department of Public Safety for 26 years. Marion has also served on the Prison Honor Guard unit. “I am confident in the abilities of Mr. Marion. His professionalism and years of dedicated service have prepared him for this opportunity,” said Director of Prisons Kenneth Lassiter.

Governor Roy Cooper today pressed for faster action to restore power to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. The islands lost power Thursday following damage by a contractor to a critical transmission line from the mainland and local officials have ordered all visitors to evacuate.

Nearly 40 law enforcement officers and support staff from state, local and federal agencies joined forces on Thursday for Operation Summer Thunder, an enforcement operation that investigated gang activity in Richmond County.