Press Releases

Public Safety Secretary Directs Law Enforcement, Community Corrections to Review Use of Force Policies

As many across the nation and in North Carolina express horror at the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, NC Public Safety Secretary Erik A.

Governor Cooper Establishes Task Force to Address Racial Inequity in the State Criminal Justice System

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 145 today, forming the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice. The task force will recommend solutions to stop discriminatory law enforcement and criminal justice practices, and hold public safety officers accountable.

John Coleman Named Director of Correction Enterprises

The Division of Prisons has announced the appointment of John Coleman as the director of Correction Enterprises. Coleman is a 29-year veteran of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and has been the chief of Ohio Penal Industries since 2018.

Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Address Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color

Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 143. to addresses the social, environmental, economic, and health disparities in communities of color

COVID-19 Testing of Caswell Correctional Offender Population Completed

An additional 31 asymptomatic offenders at Caswell Correctional Center have tested positive for COVID-19, as part of a mass testing operation conducted on Friday by the Division of Prisons.

Paul Sherwin Named Director of NC Private Protective Services

Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks has named Paul Sherwin to be the new director of Private Protective Services. Sherwin has been serving as that agency’s deputy director since last year. 

COVID-19 Testing Extended to July 31 for Prisons, Community Corrections, Juvenile Justice Staff

The N.C. Department of Public Safety today announced it will extend until July 31 an initiative that provides voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees in its Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice (ACJJ).

COVID-19 Testing Begins for All Offenders at Caswell Correctional

To protect staff and offenders, Division of Prisons officials today initiated the testing of all 420 offenders at Caswell Correctional Center, as well as continuing to provide testing access and to encourage staff to be tested.

Jennifer Walsh Named Warden at Columbus Correctional Institution

The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Jennifer Walsh as warden of the Columbus Correctional Institution in Whiteville. She had served as associate warden for custody and operations at the prison since 2010.

Escaped Prison Offender Recaptured in Chapel Hill

A minimum custody offender who escaped yesterday from Wake Correctional Center was caught today in the act of trying to steal a car, according to the Chapel Hill Police Department.