Multi-Agency Response to Riot at Neuse Correctional Institution

Neuse Correctional Institution went on lock down following a disturbance with multiple fires

Multi-Agency Response to Riot at Neuse Correctional Institution

Goldsboro, NC – Multiple agencies responded to a report of a riot at the Neuse Correctional Institution. Initial reports state that smoke was billowing from within. The incident lasted 4 hours and there were multiple fires set which could be seen from outside the facility.

Surrounding agencies including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Officer, NC Highway Patrol, Goldsboro PD, and the Goldsboro Fire Department would all respond to help contain the situation. Additionally, two SWAT teams and K9 units responded.

The North Carolina Highway patrol had initially confirmed there was in fact a riot but later would downgrade the incident. Pamela Walker, the communications director for the NC Department of Public Safety in a statement said “‘We actually called it a disturbance, I wouldn’t call it a riot,’ and that “the facility will remain on lock down until further notice.” We’re unsure of the what the requirements are for an incident to be labeled an official riot; it presumably has to do with the number of inmates involved.

As a result a Neuse Correctional staff member and an inmate are being treated for injuries at the Wayne Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Neuse Correctional Institution is a minimum security prison with approximately 788 inmates and 279 staff members. The Institution serves as the point of entry into the prison system for adult male misdemeanant offenders from all counties. An amended mission is to process felons with sentences less than 24 months.

A news release from the NC Department of Public safety at 10:16 p.m. states that the “disturbance” is over and finally under control.

Its unknown at this time why or how the disturbance started.  A Goldsboro Daily News reporter was alerted to a post on social media suggesting that inmates were not happy with the treatment at the Neuse Correctional Institution. At this time there is no further information and we hope for a speedy recovery for the correctional staff member involved.