A North Carolina jail was thrown into chaos early Monday morning after inmates reportedly overpowered correctional officers, took control of parts of the facility, and held two guards hostage before negotiations led to their release.
The incident unfolded around 5 a.m. Monday at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor, North Carolina, where 88 inmates and three correctional officers were inside the facility at the time, according to the Associated Press. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said local, state, and federal authorities immediately responded after inmates seized control of portions of the regional jail.
Authorities said two guards were taken captive during the takeover, while a third guard managed to escape. After several hours of negotiations, the two guards and 18 inmates were released around 9:30 a.m. A second large group of inmates was released shortly afterward.
The guards were released “without further injury,” officials said, though authorities did not immediately provide additional details about their conditions.
By early afternoon, local outlet WITN reported that Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said roughly 80 inmates had been removed from the facility, while between five and nine inmates remained inside at the time of a 12:15 p.m. briefing. WCTI also reported that Ruffin said all three correctional officers were safe, out of the jail, and receiving medical treatment. No fatalities had been reported.
The sheriff’s office said there was no immediate threat to the public, but a secure perimeter was established around the detention center. Residents were asked to avoid the area while law enforcement continued working to regain full control of the facility.
“Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community,” Ruffin said. “We are coordinating closely with multiple law enforcement partners to resolve this situation safely and as quickly as possible.”
The response has been massive. WWAY reported that agencies assisting included the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, the FBI, and several other local law enforcement agencies across eastern North Carolina. WITN reported that law enforcement from 20 different counties was also at the scene.
As of the latest updates, officials had not publicly said what sparked the takeover. However, the situation is raising fresh questions about jail safety, staffing, and conditions at the Bertie-Martin facility. In 2025, WITN reported that the 90-bed jail had already been part of discussions about a possible expansion that could have added Chowan and Washington counties to the regional system. At the time, officials said the facility was facing staffing shortages that affected inmate housing.
Ruffin had previously expressed concern about expanding the jail, saying, “The responsibilities and liabilities tied to operating a confinement facility are serious and far-reaching.” He added that any decision about expansion should be made “only after careful consideration, thorough planning, and with the best interests of our citizens, staff, and justice system in mind.”
The Bertie-Martin Regional Jail has also faced past incidents. In January 2024, WCTI reported that an inmate was charged with felony burn jail/prison after officials said he started a fire by placing an object into an electrical outlet. Staff said no injuries were reported in that case.
Monday’s takeover remains a developing story. Officials said more information will be released as the investigation and response continue.
