Central Prison, SBI announce inmate arrests

North Carolina Department of Public Safety


	North Carolina DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION Michael F. Easley, Governor Theodis Beck, Secretary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2001

Contact: Tracy Little
Director of Public Information
(919) 716-3700

CENTRAL PRISON, SBI ANNOUNCE INMATE ARRESTS

Department of Correction and State Bureau of Investigation officials today announced the arrests of 15 inmates at Central Prison as the result of a year-long investigation at the facility.

"Today’s arrests signal that prison officials will not tolerate the possession of illegal drugs by the inmate population," said Central Prison Warden R.C. Lee. "We are serious about stopping the flow of drugs inside prison and we appreciate the help of the State Bureau of Investigation in our efforts to reach this goal."

The 15 inmates, nine of whom had been transferred to other prisons at the time of the arrests, were each charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance in a penal institution, a class I felony. All charges involved marijuana.

"The SBI was pleased to respond to Secretary Beck’s request for an investigation and to comply with our responsibilities to assist another state agency, " said Melanie Thomas, SBI Capital District Special Agent in Charge.

Central Prison is the state’s only maximum security prison housing approximately 1,020 adult male inmates.

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