Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor

Alvin W. Keller Jr.
Secretary

North Carolina Department of Correction

Hurricane Irene damage forces prison evacuation

RALEIGH - The Division of Prisons has evacuated all inmates and most staff from Pamlico Correctional Institution in Bayboro after high winds from Hurricane Irene damaged the facility's roof. There were no injuries, but the prison did sustain some water damage.

Late Saturday, correctional staff transferred approximately 560 medium security inmates to other prisons farther inland. The division used 11 transfer buses to move the inmates to various prisons in the central and piedmont regions of the state. This major logistical effort was coordinated by the Division of Prisons with its correctional staff, Prison Emergency Response Team members and the Highway Patrol’s assistance.

The inmates will remain relocated until the prison’s roof can be repaired and it is determined to be safe for their return.

The Division of Prisons had already transferred more than 1,300 inmates Friday from Hyde Correctional Institution in Swan Quarter and Tyrrell Prison Work Farm in Columbia as a precaution. The division also accepted 140 inmates that were evacuated from county jails in Beaufort and Dare counties.

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North Carolina Department of Correction
Public Information Office     4202 Mail Service Center     Raleigh NC 27699-4202
Phone (919) 716-3700      Fax: (919) 716-3795     www.doc.state.nc.us