State and federal investigators are now trying to piece together how inmates briefly gained control of the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail in Bertie County, North Carolina. Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said the investigation could take several days as officials review what happened inside the facility.
The State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are expected to interview people involved in the incident, while county and jail leaders face questions about staffing and facility conditions. Ruffin told www.witn.com that those issues are not directly under his control, but he said the public will be kept informed as the facts come out.
How the takeover unfolded
Authorities say inmates seized control of the jail around 5:00 a.m. just outside Windsor. At the time, the SBI said 88 inmates and three detention officers were inside the facility.
| Key Detail | What Officials Said |
|---|---|
| Time of takeover | Around 5:00 a.m. |
| People inside | 88 inmates and 3 detention officers |
| First release | One officer escaped shortly after the takeover |
| Negotiated release | About 9:30 a.m., two officers and 18 inmates were released |
| Control restored | By 2:00 p.m., law enforcement had regained control |
By the afternoon, law enforcement had removed all inmates from the facility. The SBI said some inmates who were injured received treatment, while others were transferred to other facilities.
Damage, closures and the next steps
Sheriff Ruffin said there was damage to the jail and that access to the building was an issue after the incident. The jail remains closed while officials assess the extent of the damage.
The regional jail is operated by a jail authority appointed by county commissioners from both counties, with a jail administrator running the lockup. That structure is likely to be part of the broader review as investigators look at how the takeover happened.
Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement that he was relieved the officers on duty were safe and the situation was stabilized. He also said, “The perpetrators must be held accountable for this horrifying action.”
There is still no word on what may have prompted the takeover. Heavy law enforcement presence was also seen at ECU Health Bertie Hospital as the response developed, and officials say the facility will stay closed while the investigation continues.
