North Carolina Jail Secured After Inmates Overpower Guards, Take Hostages in Hours-Long Standoff
Law enforcement secured the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail in Windsor, North Carolina, on Monday after a group of inmates allegedly overpowered guards and held them hostage for several hours, according to officials. The incident, which began around 5 a.m. ET, unfolded inside the detention center located roughly 115 miles east of Raleigh in the state's coastal region.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) reported that inmates assaulted on-duty security staff and gained control of parts of the facility. At the time, 88 incarcerated individuals and three guards were inside. One guard managed to escape, but two others were taken hostage along with several inmates, authorities said. The exact number of inmates involved in the violence or taken hostage has not been disclosed.
Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies responded swiftly. By 9:30 a.m., negotiations led to the safe release of 18 inmates and the two hostage guards, who exited without further injury, according to the NCSBI. Officials did not specify the nature of the negotiations or any demands made. A second group of inmates was released around 9:50 a.m., and the situation was fully resolved by 2 p.m., the agency confirmed.
During a news conference, Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin stated that only a few inmates remained in the facility as of the afternoon. “The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has made entry into the facility and is working to secure and take the remaining inmates into custody,” he said. Ruffin acknowledged “misinformation and some concerns raised about the facility and the care of the inmates,” but deferred further comment until the investigation progresses. He assured the public there was “no immediate threat.”
The NCSBI reported that all inmates and staff were safe and accounted for, with injured individuals receiving treatment. No details on the number or severity of injuries were immediately available. Inmates were transferred to other facilities, and the detention center remains secured as personnel assess damage. Local residents were asked to avoid the area during the ongoing investigation.
The incident has reignited scrutiny of conditions at the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail, which has faced past complaints about understaffing and inadequate medical care. Advocacy groups have long called for reforms, arguing that such environments can escalate tensions and lead to security failures. The NCSBI and sheriff’s office are expected to release further findings as the investigation proceeds.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jail secured after inmates allegedly overpowered guards, took hostages