Press Releases

An offender at Eastern Correctional Institution in Maury died Saturday afternoon from injuries sustained in a fight with another offender. Kevin R. Taylor, Jr. (#1551841) was struck with a homemade weapon in a housing unit around 1:15 p.m. Staff responded and provided medical attention. The Greene County Sheriff’s Department was called. EMS arrived and pronounced him dead at 1:27 p.m.
The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named the first female warden in the history of Central Prison. She is Denise Jackson, 55, who has been the warden at the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women in Black Mountain since 2016.
Governor Roy Cooper’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Task Force continues to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infections occurring in North Carolina and is encouraging businesses, schools, health care providers, communities and individuals to prepare as well. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina.
An offender at Maury Correctional Institution died this morning from injuries sustained in a fight with another offender. Andre A. Young-Johnson (1574679) was struck with a homemade weapon in a housing unit around 8:30 a.m. Staff responded and provided medical attention. Local law enforcement was notified. EMS arrived and pronounced him dead at 9:01 a.m.
Last night’s winter weather brought snow across North Carolina, downed trees and caused power outages around the state.  “While conditions are improving, drivers must still be cautious on icy roads and bridges,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “It’s safer to stay home today unless you have to be on the roads.” The State Highway Patrol and local police responded to many crashes during the morning commute - but no fatal collisions are reported. Police have closed some roads and bridges due to icy conditions. 
RALEIGH−The ReBuild NC Buyout Program information meeting planned for tonight in Tarboro has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 27 due to severe weather that is expected in the area later today. The Feb. 27 meeting will be held at Edgecombe Community College, McIntyre Auditorium, 2009 West Wilson Street, Tarboro. Information on the new meeting date and Buyout Program is available on the ReBuild NC website at: https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/buyout. Property owners with additional questions can also call 2-1-1 for more information. 
As this year’s first blast of winter weather moves in to North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper is urging everyone to be prepared. “The state is getting ready, and everyone else should too,” said Gov. Cooper. “Don’t let the temperature right now fool you, because it’s going to get colder and this winter storm will affect most parts of North Carolina. Please pay close attention to your local forecast and be prepared.”
Offender William J. Warren (#0941504) died in an apparent suicide on Feb. 18, 2020 at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City. Warren, 31, was found unresponsive in his cell at 11:20 p.m. by staff who worked to resuscitate him. EMS and local law enforcement arrived at 11:37 p.m. and took over CPR efforts from the custody staff. Warren was pronounced dead by EMS at 11:44 p.m.
As the current forecast shows the potential for snow to impact much of North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper is encouraging the public to prepare. Winter weather will start affecting the state as early as this evening in the mountains and Thursday afternoon into Friday morning outside of the mountains. “Predictions are changing quickly, so I urge everyone to be prepared and continue to monitor their local forecast. Now is the time to prepare while the roads are drivable. If snow falls, roads and bridges can quickly become dangerous, so be careful,” said Gov. Cooper.
El Gobernador Roy Cooper está animando al público a que se prepare ya que el pronóstico actual muestra la posibilidad que la nieve afecte gran parte de Carolina del Norte.  El clima invernal comenzará a afectar al estado a partir de esta tarde en las montañas y el jueves por la tarde hasta el viernes por la mañana fuera del área de las montañas.