Inmates Overpower Guards at North Carolina Jail, Authorities Regain Control

Inmates at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor, North Carolina, overpowered three guards early Monday morning, leading to a takeover of parts of the facility. The incident began around 5 a.m. with 88 inmates and three guards present. Local, state, and federal authorities responded swiftly, and by early afternoon, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI had regained control of the jail.

During the takeover, two guards were taken captive while a third managed to escape. Negotiations resulted in the release of the two guards and 80 inmates, leaving only eight inmates inside the facility. Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin confirmed that all inmates and staff are safe and accounted for, and those who were injured have received medical treatment.

The facility will remain secured as authorities assess the damage, and inmates have been transferred to other locations. Sheriff Ruffin stated that there was no threat to the general public and did not provide details on the circumstances that led to the takeover or why only three guards were on duty at the time.