Inmates seize North Carolina jail before law enforcement regains control after hours-long standoff
A prison takeover at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in eastern North Carolina ended Monday after law enforcement officers regained control of the facility following an hours-long standoff.
The incident began around 5 a.m. when inmates overpowered correctional staff at the 90-bed jail in Windsor, where three guards and 88 inmates were inside at the time. Local, state and federal authorities responded to the scene, and by early afternoon officials had secured the facility. All inmates and staff were accounted for, and those who were injured received medical treatment.
During the takeover, two correctional officers were held captive while a third escaped. Negotiations resulted in the release of the two guards along with 80 inmates, leaving eight inmates inside before officers entered the jail. Most of the remaining inmates surrendered and exited the facility after law enforcement moved in.
The two released guards were taken for medical treatment, though the extent of their injuries has not been disclosed. Officials have not said whether officers used lethal or non-lethal force while retaking the jail.
All inmates have since been transferred to other facilities as authorities assess damage to the detention center, which houses pretrial detainees and short-term inmates from Bertie and Martin counties. Officials have not released a motive for the takeover or explained why only three guards were on duty when the incident began. The investigation remains ongoing.
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