Press Releases

Offender Christian Rodriguez (#1289662) died Thursday morning at Pasquotank Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in his cell at 1:09 a.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and performed life-saving measures in attempts to resuscitate the offender. He was pronounced dead by the local EMS at approximately 1:40 a.m. at the facility. DPS officials and local law enforcement are investigating the incident.

Governor Roy Cooper and NC DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen today shared an update on where North Carolina stands in the fight against COVID-19 and urged North Carolinians not to let their guard down.  “North Carolinians have made tremendous sacrifices and it is making a difference,” said Governor Cooper. “We remain hopeful that the trends will be stable enough to move into Phase 1 next week.” 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announces today the Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety is increasing its efforts to contain and reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women (NCCIW) in Raleigh. A testing operation occurred at five dorms in one housing unit over the weekend, testing all 161 offenders in the Canary Unit.  A report of test results verified today indicated a total of 70 offenders at the facility have tested positive; a majority of those are showing no symptoms associated with the coronavirus.

An offender housed at Neuse Correctional Institution who tested positive for COVID-19 has died at the hospital as a result of pre-existing conditions complicated by COVID-19. This is the second coronavirus death of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison. “Any death is a tragedy, and we are doing our best to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19 in Prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the men and women in our custody is of the utmost importance.”

Governor Roy Cooper today announced that North Carolina K-12 public schools will continue remote learning through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Cooper was joined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and the Chair of the State Board of Education Eric Davis for the announcement. 

 Governor Roy Cooper today issued Executive Order No. 135 extending North Carolina’s Stay At Home order through May 8. The orders extending closure of restaurants for dine-in service and bars and closure of other close-contact businesses are also extended through May 8.  Governor Cooper shared details about North Carolina’s plan to lift restrictions in three phases once the data show that key metrics are headed in the right direction. 

An offender housed at Pender Correctional Institution who tested positive for COVID-19 has died at the hospital as a result of pre-existing conditions complicated by COVID-19. This is the first coronavirus death of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison.  “Any death is a tragedy, and we must continue our efforts to do all we can to try and flatten the curve of COVID-19 in Prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the men and women in our custody is of paramount importance.”

North Carolina Emergency Management and its State Emergency Response Team partners have formed a Food Supply Chain Working Group to address food production and distribution issues across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help ensure all North Carolinians are fed.    “A critical part of staying healthy during this pandemic is having enough to eat,” said Governor Roy Cooper.  “We need to make sure the food supply chain remains strong and safe for everyone.”  

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Benjamin Carver as warden of Marion Correctional Institution in Marion. He has served as associate warden for custody and operations at Alexander Correctional Institution since 2016.