State Prison Offender Dies after Testing Positive for COVID-19 discovery: { One correctional officer has been charged, and two others have resigned in the wake of the overdose death of an inmate at Tabor Correctional Institution. [32] After an internal investigation lasting only a few weeks, the state found no "wrongdoing" in the fundraising effort, but halted the program, until "state prison administrators and auditors can develop formal policy guidelines for employee fundraising activities.". Investigators spoke with an Assistant District Attorney, who requested an autopsy be performed on Goodson. Ive got a recording of his heartbeat . (The officer) said that on that Tuesday night Thompson told her that he had a large amount and needed to get rid of it as soon as possible.. The original maximum number of inmates housed at the prison was 1,500. The stamp, if used on mail sent to inmates, restricts law enforcement personnel and prison workers from opening mail prior to the delivery to inmates, Wilkins said. She will be spending the holidays grieving for her only son, but she can take some comfort in one decision Goodson made to change the lives of others as an organ donor. During the search of the deceaseds cell two small suboxone strips were located in the inmates cell and were collected by prison staff.. COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - District attorney Jon David released a statement Wednesday on the N.C. Department of Public Safety's internal investigation after a Tabor Correctional inmate died. Officer charged with drug trafficking at TCI - Tabor-Loris Tribune The second officer admitted she knew about Thompsons drug activity. November 24, 2021 WWAY News , Prison leaders say they have begun assigning new officers career readiness coaches, who provide pointers on dealing with inmates, keeping themselves safe and attaining career goals. [22][23] Inmates were found guilty of additional charges due to these assaults. Three correctional officers are off the job amid allegations of drug smuggling and after an inmate died from an apparent overdose. But by that time, the officer was already bleeding profusely. Finding people who are willing to work as prison officers isnt easy. A police service weapon found in the restaurant workers car led authorities to Orban, McBride said. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 WECT. Thompson has not been linked to the death of Goodson at this time. Tabor Correctional inmate dies of apparent suicide A Tabor Correctional Institution supervisor reported the inmate overdose to Tabor City police on Nov. 16, who began an investigation into the matter. The former NASCAR driver Robert East, known as Bobby, was fatally stabbed on Wednesday in Westminster, Calif., the authorities said, and the suspect in the stabbing was killed on . The Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice has named Stephen Jacobs as the new warden of Tabor Correctional Institution in Tabor City. (The officer) said that on that Tuesday night Thompson told her that he had a large amount and needed to get rid of it as soon as possible.. Ex-NASCAR Driver Bobby East Fatally Stabbed at California Gas Station DA issues statement over illegal drug allegations involving Tabor City Educator Davis given Tabor Medal at TC chamber fete, Bog, broadcaster get historic recognition, US jet shoots down Chinese balloon in sight of the TLC, Loris singer brings sax to the CCMAs; Kindred honored, too, Arrests in Dothan murder include juvenile, victim IDd, Two sought in Soles murder case in custody Wednesday. Weve got to find a way to retain the people who work for us, Guice said. [38] The officer was also planning to break into several houses to obtain weapons for the planned robbery. Early on the morning of Nov. 15, 2013, Lanesboro had just four officers in the chow hall to oversee the 100 inmates who were there for breakfast, McCoy said. The officer added that she discouraged Thompson from bringing drugs into the prison and denied being a look out for Thompson when questioned about her appearing to be so in the video footage. While speaking about Goodson, Bullard mentioned prison staff had found more drugs under a podium in a unit. Lexipol. [30], In October 2012, a correctional officer was arrested in the parking lot of Tabor Correction Institute, according to Tabor City Police, and charged with one count of providing tobacco to an inmate and two counts of a sex offense in an institution. Its so dangerous, Gravitte said. These allegations are under internal investigation as well. Statewide, about 16 percent of officer positions are vacant. Three correctional officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations and [18], In May 2014 TCI was visited by high ranking Panama officials to review the operation of the prison. The FBI was conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident as of November 2015. This is a constant battle, fought daily. Cons Work related injuries or death caused by inmates. Those officers must cover two shifts and a number of them are off, sick or on vacation at any given time so only a fraction of the total staff was likely available to work the day shift on April 26. High School Job Shadowing Program/Senior Projects, Two Chadbourn police officers receive heroism awards for saving lives during fires, Emergency personnel, community partners conduct active shooter training at East Columbus High, #UNSOLVED: Shining light on cold cases in the Cape Fear, a WWAY special report, 'Teacher of the Month' dedicates life to special needs students after high school internship. "[25], Some negative publicity was reported during this period by officers during this period were charged with committing theft,[26][27] and, in an unrelated case, a different officer was charged with dealing drugs, although not in the prison. As soon as we plug a hole in one area, offenders find a work around. You're tired. RALEIGH, N.C. (WECT) - Jamie Bullard has been named the new warden of Tabor Correctional Institution in Tabor City, the Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice announced Monday. Drills included escaped inmates and staff being taken hostage. A prison with 1,000 inmates should have a total of at least 300 to 350 officers, he said. They stopped in Fontana, near Base Line Road and the 15 Freeway, in a commercial complex. According to state law, correctional officers cannot have been convicted of misdemeanors for three years. State figures show that in April, when Callahan died, roughly one of every five correctional officer positions at the eastern North Carolina prison was vacant. The Tabor Correctional Institution was constructed on a 37-acre site in east Tabor City, Columbus County. Over the past four years, the Division of Prisons has: We educate, train and do everything possible to keep contraband out. The arrest can affect the image of all law enforcement personnel to the public, he said. As soon as we plug a hole in one area, offenders find a work around. Over the past four years, the Division of Prisons has: We educate, train and do everything possible to keep contraband out. [28], Once Kenworthy, first hired in 1982 as a corrections officer [21] retired after a long career with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, numerous controversies under the new leadership were reported. WESTMINSTER An off-duty Westminster police officer and an off-duty state corrections officer were arrested Saturday night in connection with a carjacking, kidnapping and rape of a 25-year-old restaurant employee in Ontario, police said. Only one faces criminal charges at this time, though . Jelinek stood by and watched as Orban pointed the gun at the victim and ordered her to drive away, police said. But, not all law enforcement officers should take on the bad image produced by some officers, he said. [31], As reported by WECT in February 2014, the new Administrator was accused of forcing employees to pay the new Administrator for promotions through an Administrator-designed "fundraising" campaign. And we dont have enough staff to fight back.. That contraband was located during a search of the inmates cell, Conway said. [19], The Tabor City Prison officially opened on August 18, 2008,[13] with George Kemworthy serving as administrator of the prison. Sheriff: Its a black eye to the law enforcement profession. I got a call from the prison that said that he was in the hospital, in the ICU, Pressley said. Bullard said that they thought that (the sergeant) had brought the drugs into the prison for (the other inmate), the report states. The prison is located at 4600 West Swamp Fox Highway. One former officer, who rushed to a colleagues defense after she was slashed in the neck by an inmate at Lanesboro Correctional Institution, said the attack might have been prevented with more staff. Bullard also said the sergeant left work early that day after he was questioned and had not returned to work since. The inmate also provided a written statement that he received drugs from the sergeant, according to the report. NC prison officer planned to behead 2 people. All rights reserved. Special Reports. While the Ontario officers were interviewing Orban and Jelinek, they received word about the sexual assault involving a firearm in Fontana. All rights reserved. Bullard had been the associate warden for custody at the prison since December 2019. During the course of the investigation and search a quantity of cocaine, fentanyl, suboxone strips, methadone, prescription pills, drug paraphernalia, U.S. Currency and 99 firearms were located and seized, according to the Sheriffs Office. Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX. Callahan died, roughly one of every five CO positions at the prison was vacant, By Ames Alexander and Gavin Off The investigation continues in the case, the sheriff said. Former Tabor Correctional officer jailed after sheriff's deputies seize One of those officers fell and hurt her knee when she went to Callahans defense, Jernigan said. The incident resulted in an "active shooter" announcement being broadcast over the hospital's public address system. Mobile App | Weather App | WWAYTV3 Email Sign Up, We're everywhere you need us to be. [51] Assistant Superintendent Larry Thompson was named Acting Superintendent until the next Superintendent was selected. State figures. "The prison's first responders performed lifesaving .