A Correction Enterprises employee is facing charges Friday night after he was caught this afternoon allegedly attempting to bring contraband into the Sampson Correctional Institution Laundry facility. Correctional staff discovered nearly 59 grams of marijuana, two cell phones and tobacco in a duffle bag as Christopher Bishop was trying to enter the facility just before 3 p.m. on Friday.
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Inmate Michael Grant (#0665675) died Monday at Maury Correctional Institution after an apparent suicide. He was found unresponsive in the inmate dormitory at 3:30 p.m. Prison medical staff and local paramedics responded and worked to resuscitate the inmate. He was pronounced dead at 4:08 p.m. at the facility
Grant, 42, was convicted for first degree murder in Pender County in 2013 and was serving a life sentence.
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Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks provided an update on prison reform efforts to members of the Justice and Public Safety Oversight Committee today in Raleigh, including sharing the results of a new independent report on prison industry operations. He talked about the department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety and security within the state’s prisons following two tragedies that resulted in the deaths of five prison employees in 2017.
UPDATE: Forsyth Correctional Center inmate Bobby Abraham (#1054681) was returned to custody Monday morning shortly after he left his work assignment in Winston-Salem at 7:40 a.m. Abraham returned to the facility at 11:06 a.m. He will face charges for his escape.
With some melting yesterday and temperatures on the rise again today, North Carolina’s interstates and major highways are in good shape, but many secondary roads and neighborhood streets are still treacherous. Governor Cooper urged everyone to be patient just a little while longer before venturing out and to drive carefully if they do.
As the winter storm that brought heavy snow to many areas in North Carolina moves out to sea, Governor Cooper continues to encourage people to stay off the roads. Overnight temperatures in the teens mean anything on the roads is frozen and will take some time to thaw. Snow and ice that melt today will likely refreeze tonight and create hazardous conditions Friday morning.
Despite temperatures reaching above freezing this afternoon and some snow starting to melt, roads remain slick across much of the state. Another night of below freezing temperatures will likely cause continuing hazardous travel conditions, Governor Roy Cooper warned.
The State Emergency Response Team has activated the Joint Information Center in response to the winter storm impacting most of the state.
Located in the State Emergency Operations Center at 1636 Gold Star Drive in Raleigh, the JIC will coordinate the release of information regarding state storm preparation and response. Individuals are on duty to gather the latest information and assist reporters interested in covering the state’s response to the storm. Additionally, state officials will use this center to conduct media briefings as needed.
With snow falling across North Carolina most of the day, Governor Cooper is reminding everyone to be cautious, and stay off the roads as much as possible.
"This snow storm may be moving a little slower than we thought, but that means its impacts on North Carolina will likely be even greater," Gov. Cooper said. "The snow is pretty, but it can be dangerous. If you don't have to brave the roads, please don't."
State troopers had responded to more than 700 service calls, including more than 500 crashes, as of this morning.
From the mountains to portions of the coast, snowfall amounts will continue to climb and temperatures fall creating more hazardous road conditions. Governor Cooper says the reports of traffic accidents have been increasing throughout the day and he continues to encourage extreme caution for those who must venture out.