Inmates Seize Control of North Carolina Jail, Hold Guards Hostage Before Police Intervention

A major hostage situation unfolded early Monday morning at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor, North Carolina, when dozens of inmates attacked prison staff, seized control of parts of the facility, and held two guards hostage for several hours. The incident began around 5:00 a.m. in a facility housing 88 inmates with only three guards on duty. While one guard escaped to call for help, the other two were captured and held by the inmates.

Within minutes of the alert, the deputy sheriff arrived but was unable to enter due to loss of control inside the jail. Law enforcement quickly established a perimeter and initiated intense negotiations with the barricaded inmates. Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin emphasized that the safety of staff, inmates, and the surrounding community was the top priority, and coordinated closely with multiple law enforcement agencies to resolve the crisis safely and swiftly.

By approximately 9:30 a.m., the inmates released the two hostages unharmed along with 18 other prisoners. Additional inmates were freed shortly thereafter. Special agents from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation then entered the facility to regain control over the last ten inmates who remained barricaded. The detention center was fully cleared and secured by 2:00 p.m.

Following the resolution, the State Bureau of Investigation confirmed all inmates and staff were safe, with medical treatment provided to those injured. The inmates were transferred to other facilities, and the detention center remains secured while damage assessments continue. Sheriff Ruffin noted that investigators have yet to determine the cause or immediate trigger of the uprising but assured the public that there was no threat to community safety at any point during the event.