Inmates Seize Control Of North Carolina Jail, Take Officers Hostage

Inmates overpowered staff, took two detention officers hostage and seized control of a regional jail Monday in eastern North Carolina. 

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The incident began around 5 a.m. at the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail, prompting a massive response from state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, according to WAVY News. (RELATED: FBI Shoots Hostage Taker Dead After Hours-Long Standoff, Police Say)

Eighty-eight inmates and three correctional officers were inside the jail when inmates overpowered on-duty correctional officers and took control of portions of the facility, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). One officer managed to escape, WITN reported.

Around 9:30 a.m., authorities negotiated the safe release of the two detention officers along with 18 inmates. The officers were released without further injury, while another group of inmates exited the facility roughly 20 minutes later as negotiations continued, according to WRAL News.

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“The safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community remains our highest priority,” Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said according to WITN. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”

Numerous law enforcement personnel converged on the jail throughout the morning as authorities worked to regain control of the facility, WNCT reported. (REALTED: Prison Agency Turned Tax-Funded Rehab Program Into Unaccountable Slush Fund)

Officials have not disclosed what prompted the inmate takeover or whether any charges will be filed in connection with the incident as of Monday afternoon.

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