Prisoners in North Carolina take corrections officers hostage before authorities regain control

North Carolina law enforcement have regained control of an eastern North Carolina correctional facility, Bertie Martin Regional Jail in Windor NC, after inmates rioted and seized control of the jail by overpowering officers, assaulting staff, and seizing portions of the detention center, according to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

The SBI also said that agents with the SBI and FBI have both cleared the facility and that staff as well as inmates are safe and accounted for, and those with injuries have been treated. Inmates have been moved to other facilities as authorities ask the public to avoid the area while they gain a greater hold on the situation.

According to the SBI, the incident began at around 5 a.m. when inmates held two correction officers hostage through force. Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin was the first deputy to arrive at the scene and did so within two minutes of the original call. Ruffin was unable to enter the facility, and only after multiple officers responded were they able to negotiate the safe release of the two officers being held hostage at around 9:30 a.m.

Officials said approximately 88 inmates and three guards were inside the detention center when the takeover began. One guard was able to escape shortly after the incident started, while the other two were held by inmates until negotiations secured their release.

Law enforcement later entered the detention center and worked to secure the remaining inmates. Authorities said some inmates were negotiated with while others were taken into custody and moved to secure locations. Officials also said treatment was provided to inmates who requested medical attention.

More than 20 law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including the FBI, SBI, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and several sheriff's offices from across the region.

No fatalities have been reported, and officials said there is no immediate threat to the public. Investigators have not yet determined what sparked the inmate takeover, and the detention center will remain secured while authorities assess the damage and continue their investigation per WRAL.