Press Releases

RALEIGH — Reporters and editors in need of visuals for stories on COVID-19 vaccinations within the N.C. prisons system can find high-quality stills and video here. A Public Affairs detail from the N.C. National Guard was present Wednesday and today at Central Prison to document the Guard’s lead role in vaccinating Prisons healthcare workers, who in turn vaccinate corrections workers and offenders. If you use the visuals, please credit N.C. National Guard.

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We continue to work hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons. The health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. The offender tested positive on Dec. 30 and was hospitalized the same day. His condition worsened, and he died on Jan 20.

Leaders of the N.C. Department of Public Safety and the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice will be available today for a dial-in media briefing at 2:30 p.m. to provide an update on the launch of COVID-19 vaccinations in state prisons. Please see below for details on how to join the call.

The North Carolina prison system has received its first allocation of coronavirus vaccine, and inoculations began Wednesday morning.   “I urge everyone to get vaccinated,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “This is our best shot to protect the health and safety of our colleagues and their families as well as the men and women in our custody. Science has thrown us a lifeline. Everyone should grab ahold.”

A Hyde Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, died at a hospital on Saturday, Jan. 16. “The loss of a life due to COVID-19 is a tragedy and difficult for everyone,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority as we continue to do all we can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons.”

Governor Roy Cooper approved the mobilization of an additional 100 North Carolina National Guardsmen to deploy to Washington, D.C. to support civilian authorities prior to and during the 59th Presidential Inauguration. They will arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday.   This brings the total number of NC Guard men and women mobilized and deploying to Washington, D.C. to 300.    There are 350 Guardsmen currently mobilized to support civil authorities in North Carolina in the event of large-scale protests.  

Leaders with the N.C. Department of Public Safety and the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice will be available today for a dial-in media briefing at 3:30 p.m. to provide an update on COVID-19 and state prisons. Please see below for details on how to join the call.

The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved $5.3 million to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs resulting from severe storms and flooding in February 2020. The grants include:  

Governor Roy Cooper has mobilized approximately 550 North Carolina National Guardsmen to assist with upcoming security needs in Washington, DC and North Carolina. The Governor mobilized approximately 350 National Guard personnel for duty here in North Carolina, beginning this weekend to support state and local authorities and protect the well-being of residents, property, and the right to peacefully assemble and protest.

A Rutherford Correctional Center offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We continue to work diligently to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons because the health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. The offender was hospitalized on Jan. 11, when he tested positive for COVID-19. His condition worsened, and he died later the same day.