Press Releases

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol held its annual memorial ceremony today in Raleigh in remembrance of 67 fallen members.  Remarks were delivered by Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.  Colonel McNeill’s remarks exhibited a continued support for the families, friends and coworkers of our fallen members to include our recent loss of Trooper Nolan Sanders in March.  
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 fifth coronavirus death of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison. “Any death is a tragedy, and we are working hard to handle the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offenders in our custody remains our top priority.”
An offender housed at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women 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 fourth coronavirus death of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison. “Any death is a deeply saddening, and we continue to work hard to deal with COVID-19 in our prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The safety and health of the staff and the offenders in our custody remain our top priority.”
New order takes effect Friday, May 8 at 5 pm   Governor Roy Cooper today signed Executive Order No. 138 to modify North Carolina’s Stay At Home order and transition to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday, May 8 at 5 pm. Certain businesses remain closed as the state continues battling COVID-19. 
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 4-10 as Correctional Officers and Correctional Employees Week in North Carolina, to recognize the important public service provided by employees in the state’s prison system.  “Correctional officers, medical staff, programs staff, case managers and maintenance crews work tirelessly in our prisons, in challenging and often dangerous situations,” said Gov. Cooper. “To protect our communities, these state employees provide security, programs and care, while preparing people to reenter their communities.”
Governor Roy Cooper today signed the following COVID-19 relief bills into law: •    Senate Bill 704 •    House Bill 1043
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 third coronavirus death of an individual in custody at a North Carolina state prison. “Any death is a tragedy, and we are working hard to flatten the curve of COVID-19 in Prisons,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offenders in our custody is of our top priority.”
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.