Press Releases

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Embery Morton Jr. as the new warden of the Carteret Correctional Center in Newport, N.C. Morton, 44, had been associate warden at the facility since 2015. "Warden Morton is a proven leader with decades of experience and a hands-on style to managing a complex prison," said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. "He brings hard-earned skills and a common-sense approach to his well-earned new position. He is an excellent addition to the team of outstanding professionals who run our prisons."

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.

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We are working 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. 17. He was hospitalized on Dec. 24. His condition worsened, and he died on Jan 11.

A Neuse Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We are continuing 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 for COVID-19 on Dec. 18, the same day he was hospitalized. His condition worsened, and he died on Jan 11.

Agents from the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the death of offender Johnny Autry #0013149, who died Saturday night at Pamlico Correctional Institution.  

Nearly 4,000 air purifiers are being installed in the ductwork of 53 North Carolina prisons in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. “The health and safety of the staff and the offenders in our custody is our number one priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “These devices will help to stop the airborne spread of the virus in our facilities and is another tool to use in our ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of this awful virus.” These “air ionizers” work by making the virus particles heavier and easier to filter.

RALEIGH — 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 2  p.m. to provide an update on COVID-19 and state prisons. Please see below for details on how to join the call. WHAT:   COVID-19 Media Availability

On December 30, 2020, Superior Court Judge Gregory Bell signed a judgment for a Chapter 19 Nuisance Abatement action against a Robeson County residence, 5004 Union Chapel Road in Pembroke, N.C. Chapter 19 of the N.C. General Statutes defines a public nuisance, and allows for a civil remedy to abate such nuisance activities.

N.C. Department of Public Safety, including its divisions of Emergency Management and the N.C. National Guard, are actively planning and coordinating with N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to create options for how Guard personnel may augment existing vaccination resources. The North Carolina National Guard mobilized approximately 50 personnel yesterday and today in support of the anticipated demand requests from state partners and county health departments. The Guard will be operational this week.

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. “We continue working 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. “We sympathize with the offender’s family, as losing a loved one is hard enough, but especially so during the holiday season.”