Prison Coverage

Lengthy waits for mental health care in NC are violating constitutional rights, lawsuit claims

A disability rights group blames declines in government services and a sluggish bureaucratic process for forcing some people with mental illnesses to spend months behind bars -- without being convicted of a crime.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Trooper who murdered man in 1993 released from prison

A former North Carolina Highway Patrol officer convicted in 1998 of murder was paroled earlier this month after serving a little less than 26 years in prison.

WRAL staff

Wake County Detention Center 95% full: Program aims to decrease capacity

Some inmates may be released early from the Wake County Detention Center in a new effort to free up space.

Efforts underway to free up space in Wake County Detention Center

Some inmates may be released early from the Wake County Detention Center in a new effort to free up space.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Raleigh man sentenced to 7 years on child pornography charge

A Raleigh man was sentenced to 7 years in prison Thursday for receipt of child pornography.

WRAL Staff

Shortage of correctional officers impacting 25 facilities across NC

North Carolina prisons have a 39% vacancy rate for correctional officer positions, leading to the closure of 5,338 prison beds and the hiring of 400 private security contractors to patrol prison perimeters.

North Carolina prison staffing shortage: 39% of NC's correctional officer positions are vacant

North Carolina prisons have a 39% vacancy rate for correctional officer positions, leading to the closure of 5,338 prison beds and the hiring of 400 private security contractors to patrol prison perimeters.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Popular brands tied to prison labor

While you probably know which stories your groceries come from, you may be unaware that some of those items could be linked back to prison labor.

'Make sure everybody succeeds': Cooper signs prison reentry order alongside NFL hall of famer

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, noted the bipartisan support for criminal justice reform that has arisen in the past few years, at the state legislature as well as in Washington, D.C.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Family asks for clemency for man who has spent 43 years in prison

Charles McNeair, who was only 16 years old at the time, entered a guilty plea to second-degree rape in 1979 and has been serving a life sentence since then, consistently being denied parole.

Life sentence at 16: Family appeals to Gov Cooper for clemency in 1979 rape case, claims racial bias

Charles McNeair, who was only 16 years old at the time, entered a guilty plea to second-degree rape in 1979 and has been serving a life sentence since then, consistently being denied parole.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Derek Chauvin, officer convicted in George Floyd's killing, stabbed in federal prison.

Life-saving measures were performed on Chauvin, who was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

Celebrity chef & convicted felon visits NC prison to teach, inspire inmates

A Food Network star visited inmates at the Orange Correctional Center in Hillsborough on Wednesday.

Ken Smith, WRAL anchor & Rick Armstrong, WRAL Enterprise multimedia journalist

NC prisons, struggling to hire officers, look for tablets to help keep the peace

Forty percent of correctional officer jobs are vacant in North Carolina. Tablets, which inmates can use for classes, movies and music, are part of a stopgap solution.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

After incarceration, resources help people readjust to society

Help with technology, money, jobs and more help the formerly incarcerated get back on their feet.

5 Americans released from Iranian prison after years of captivation

After being held hostage in Iran for years, five Americans were finally released from an Iranian prison.

Editorial: Legislators focus too much on tax cuts. Time to care about quality of services too

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 -- Schools don't know if they'll have enough bus drivers to get students into their classrooms or even there will be enough teachers when they arrive. State and local agencies that rely upon state funding don't know how much money they'll have to run crucial programs and provide critical services. The unfortunate reality is that the leaders of the General Assembly don't seem to care about the delivery of government services. There's no expectation of excellence or quality.

For top NC prison leaders, long commutes in gas-guzzling state vehicles

State employees are supposed to reimburse the state if they take an official vehicle home. Several Department of Adult Corrections leaders don't, despite long commutes.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Another US citizen detained in Russia, accused of drug dealing

A court in Moscow said another U.S. citizen has been detained and accused of running a drug-dealing business. American Michael Travis Leake is facing up to a dozen years or more in Russian prison.

'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski found dead in federal pison cell in Butner

Kaczynski was transferred to the prison in Butner due to medical reasons in 2021

R. Kelly latest famous prisoner to spend time in NC

The disgraced singer has been convicted of numerous child sex crimes as well as sex trafficking.

Some New York Times best sellers are banned in NC prisons

While schools consider banning books, thousands of North Carolinians already are living in places where certain books and magazines aren't allowed - our state prisons.

Ali Ingersoll, WRAL Investigative Data Journalist

State services strained as NC struggles to hire government workers

Vacant positions across state government -- at 10-year highs in many departments -- have left a growing population with spotty services. State agencies are trying new ways to recruit and retain workers in a tricky job market, and they're hoping legislators approve a budget that will boost pay for state workers.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

'It's not right': Family of Durham murder victim emotional as judge considers reduced sentence in 2002 homicide

A local family says their daughter's convicted killer shouldn't be released from prison.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Durham woman believed to be part of cross-country drug ring with son

According to a search warrant, the scheme was run by the owner of the home, Cenda Crawford, and her son, Donovan Crawford, who is a prisoner in Victorville, California.