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Order was restored to a North Carolina jail after inmates overpowered guards, took them hostage and briefly seized control of portions of the facility, authorities said Monday.
The incident began at 5 a.m. at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor when inmates assaulted on-duty correctional staff and took control of parts of the jail, said Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin.
“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” Ruffin said earlier. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”
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An inmate at the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail took two corrections officers hostage on Monday, leading to a standoff with authorities, officials said. (North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation)
Two corrections officers were taken hostage, while a third corrections officer escaped, Ruffin said. The first responding deputy arrived within two minutes of the initial alert but was unable to enter the jail.
Authorities quickly set up a perimeter around the detention center.
At the time of the takeover, 88 inmates and three guards were inside the facility.
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An agent with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation outside the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail. (North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation)
At around 9:30 a.m., 18 inmates and the two captive guards were released unharmed following negotiations. Minutes later, another large group of inmates was released and left the facility.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) then entered the jail and worked to take the remaining 10 inmates back into custody. At around 2 p.m., the SBI said the facility was cleared.
“All inmates and staff are safe and accounted for, and those who sustained injuries have received treatment. Inmates have been transferred to other facilities for housing, and the detention center will remain secured while personnel assess the extent of the damage,” the agency wrote on X. “The public is asked to avoid the area as crews continue working to clear the scene.”
Officials with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation gathered as they tried to resolve a hostage situation at the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail. (North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation)
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Investigators have not yet determined what triggered the incident, Ruffin added. He said there was no threat to the public.