Inmates Take Hostages at Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in North Carolina

Authorities restored order at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor, North Carolina, after inmates briefly seized control of parts of the facility early Monday morning. The incident began around 5 a.m. when inmates assaulted on-duty correctional staff, taking two corrections officers hostage while a third officer managed to escape, according to Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin.

At the time of the takeover, 88 inmates and three guards were present in the facility. The first responding deputy arrived within two minutes of the initial alert but was unable to enter the jail. A perimeter was quickly established around the detention center.

Negotiations led to the release of the two hostage guards and 18 inmates by approximately 9:30 a.m. Shortly thereafter, another group of inmates was released. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) entered the jail to take the remaining 10 inmates back into custody, declaring the facility cleared around 2 p.m.

All inmates and staff are reported safe and accounted for, with those sustaining injuries receiving treatment. Inmates have been transferred to other facilities, and the detention center remains secured as personnel assess the damage. Sheriff Ruffin stated that investigators have not yet determined the cause of the incident but assured that there is no ongoing threat to the public.