Copyright 2023 Corrections1. They are asking that anyone who has information to contact the Ontario Police Department at (909) 395-2908. TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) In Columbus County, an investigation is ongoing after one Tabor City prisoner died of an overdose, two correctional officers resigned, and one was arrested for. }, Bullard had been the associate warden for custody at the prison since December 2019. Prisons has a zero tolerance for the introduction of contraband to any prison from any source. She then called Ontario police. "[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. More than 121 grams of synthetic marijuana was discovered during a search of the cell. map: false, Apply to Senior Correction Officer, Correctional Officer and more! Derek C. Madden, 32, of Lumberton, was charged with two counts of trafficking opium or heroin, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, nine counts of possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the Robeson County Sheriffs Office. 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. Enter https://www.corrections1.com/ and click OK. The prisons first responders performed lifesaving measures until local paramedics arrived who also worked to resuscitate the offender and pronounced Moore deceased at 4:56 a.m., a news release states. This is the largest weapon seizure Ive ever seen in this county, said Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. An officer at Tabor Correctional Institution planned to rob an armored car. I want some kind of justice for him.. "After the decision was made to locate the prisons in Tabor City, the town had to fight the battle of paying for the land (and giving the land to the state) and we (Tabor City) had to fight the battle of raising the millions of dollars in grants that it took to service the prisons with water and sewer" [4], The design of Tabor Correctional is the same as six other North Carolina prisons. [40] The officer was arrested by the Tabor City police department. number: 3, Then the FBI stepped in. [44], In June 2015, the Tabor-Loris Tribune reported that an officer was being investigated striking a person in the road. Bullard also said the sergeant left work early that day after he was questioned and had not returned to work since. Inmate Craig Wissink, who has been serving a life sentence for murder since 2004, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Callahans death. Editors note: WECT is not naming the other two correctional officers as they have not been charged with any crime. Jacobs, 53, had been the warden at Lumberton Correctional Institution in Lumberton since 2020. . And we dont have enough staff to fight back.. Personnel records for the sergeant obtained by WECT indicate he started working at Tabor Correctional in December 2018 and had been with DPS since May 2014. The Tabor Correctional Institution, also known as Tabor City Prison, is a prison within the North Carolina Department of Public Safety located in Tabor City, North Carolina. Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, left, and sheriffs Lt. Adam Chavis examine guns seized from a Lumberton residence on Thursday. Jacobs, 53, had been the warden at Lumberton Correctional Institution in Lumberton since 2020. His mother, Tina Pressley said she was in shock when she got the phone call about what happened. State prison leaders say they are holding many hiring events and partnering with schools and military bases to fill jobs. Thompson had been a correctional officer with Tabor Correctional since July 2018 before resigning Monday. and I think Ill get the names of the people who actually got his organs and maybe one day I can meet them, Pressley said. [43] It revealed that guards at the prison had been fired for unnecessary uses of force against an inmate, an officer having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate, for unsatisfactory job performance and sleeping while on duty, falsification of doctors' notes and being arrested and charged with first degree burglary. There is no prior relationship between the victim and the suspects, McBride said. All rights reserved. Prison leaders plan to examine many factors, including staffing patterns, Guice said. Copyright 2021 WECT. [7] A double fence surrounds the prison.[8]. Corrections1 is revolutionizing the way in which the corrections community finds relevant news, Please let me know if you encounter any resistance or unwillingness to pay.". (The officer) said that Thompson had come to her and asked her if she wanted to make some extra money on several occasions but that she didnt want anything to do with it, investigators wrote in the report. Three correctional officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations and suspected inmate overdose death, Three corrections officers resign amid drug smuggling allegations, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, 2 dead, 1 deputy injured in Harnett County chase, crash, officials say; chase suspect on the run. The FBI was conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident as of November 2015. The prison is located at 4600 West Swamp Fox Highway. [48] Because of these charges, the sergeant resigned her position. The incident resulted in an "active shooter" announcement being broadcast over the hospital's public address system. The ATFs database called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, also will be used to determine if guns were stolen. Upon the airing of the story, the Director of the North Carolina Division of Prisons suspended these activities, pending yet another review stating, "The Division of Prisons is surveying the activities of all service clubs across the prison system and developing more specific governing policies for these clubs to ensure that they are operating consistently and are providing true rehabilitative benefits." That works out to about one officer for every 29 inmates. Many of North Carolinas maximum-security prisons are operating dangerously short of staff, current and former correctional officers told the Observer. [46] WECT later reported this officer had been convicted of larceny a year before the prison hired her. [29] During this administrator's time, the small annex housing up to 252 minimum security inmates was opened. The officer was indicted by a federal grand jury. Attorneys for Orban and Jelinek could not immediately be reached for comment. The Department has many hard-working correctional professionals and it takes staff arrests very seriously. This is a constant battle, fought daily. Tabor Correctional Institution is a great place to work but there are daily situations that arise that may jeopardize a persons life whether it be staff or inmates. }); [53], On December 8, 2016, an officer was arrested for "unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously" allowed the sexual abuse between her son and the alleged victim to occur. The original maximum number of inmates housed at the prison was 1,500. Said Gary Harkins, former research and information director for ACOIN: People can get killed when you dont have enough staff. 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. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. researches product purchases and suppliers. A spokesperson for DPS provided the following statement when reached for comment: The Department of Public Safety has zero tolerance for any staff involved in any illegal activity and is cooperating fully in this ongoing investigation. All rights reserved. 8 Corrections jobs available in Tabor City, NC on Indeed.com. Personnel records for the sergeant obtained by WECT indicate he started working at Tabor Correctional in December 2018 and had been with DPS since May 2014. The prison is a mixed classification facility, resulting in inmates classified, originally, from medium to maximum control levels being housed within, with minimum custody inmates added in the 2014 addition. A Tabor Correctional Institution supervisor reported the inmate overdose to Tabor City police on Nov. 16, who began an investigation into the matter. Its as simple as that.. One of the most dangerous items recovered was the stamp with the words attorney-client privilege, McLean said. Pros Great job security, benefits, salary, etc. widget: true, One Polk officer made $29,800 in salary in 2015. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge confirms a man was killed when his vehicle crashed into a power pole as he was being pursued by police. Download the WWAY News and StormTrack 3 Weather Apps on your smart phone or tablet device to receive breaking news and weather push notifications the minute it happens. LUMBERTON A former Tabor Correctional Institution officer has been charged with multiple drug offenses after a Thursday search of his home yielded enough fentanyl to kill thousands of people and the discovery of 99 firearms, according to the Robeson County Sheriffs Office. Nine of the 99 weapons recovered were stolen, he said. Geo resource failed to load. But, not all law enforcement officers should take on the bad image produced by some officers, he said. [41], Soon after, late December 2014, the same news outlet reported that an officer who had been indicted by a grand jury on charges of felony conspiracy to bring contraband into a detention facility, accepting bribes; furnishing controlled substances to inmates; and furnishing tobacco products to inmates was still being allowed to work at the prison by officials, albeit in an "appropriately reassigned" position. The other officer on shift with Thompson had been at Tabor Correctional since June 2019. Tabor City Police Chief Donald Dowless says the investigation is continuing, and that the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has opened a probe into the case. Moreover, we are seeking to determine if the recent death of an inmate by a suspected drug overdose is related to this activity. (The officer) said that Thompson had come to her and asked her if she wanted to make some extra money on several occasions but that she didnt want anything to do with it, investigators wrote in the report. "His death is tragic, and we continue to work hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons," said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. The second officer admitted she knew about Thompsons drug activity. It was first opened in 1984 and came with 240 inmates; however, over time, the facility has become even bigger with the capability of housing around 1752 inmates. Maddens arrest comes after the recent arrests of three Robeson County detention officers in April for charges of identity theft. At other prisons of comparable size, officers told the Observer, its common for about 50 or 60 officers to work the day shift. Copyright 2021 WECT. In 2014, a Lanesboro officer was paid $29,800 but made another $35,600 in overtime. Thompson was booked at the Columbus County Detention Center Friday evening, his bond set at $25,000 secured, Conway said. Mother reacts to news of sons apparent drug overdose at Tabor Correctional, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, 2 dead, 1 deputy injured in Harnett County chase, crash, officials say; chase suspect on the run. He resigned from his position on Monday. The Ontario officers, however, felt their statements were inconsistent and somewhat suspicious, police said. [10], Early in 2014, an addition housing 252 minimum inmates opened, rasing the maximum number of inmates housed at Tabor Prison to 1,752. Prison in Tabor City, North Carolina, United States, Patsy Chavis era (February 22, 2012 - June 30, 2015), Learn how and when to remove this template message, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, "Tabor Correctional Institution - Cornerstone Detention Products", "Optimistic town manager: 'Tabor City is in the fight of its life', "Sunland Fire Columbus County Prison: Tabor City, NC", http://www.taborcitync.org/correctionalfacility.asp, "New correctional facility in Tabor city - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", "New State Prison in Columbus County | WHQR", "Inmate labor builds new prison additions at greatly reduced costs", http://www.fayobserver.com/news/crime_courts/addition-at-tabor-city-prison-open-to-public-tours-saturday/article_2ca5426e-190a-5ea2-af9b-2042c3607bf1.html, http://www.doc.state.nc.us/NEWS/cnews/2008/july-aug%2008%20for%20web.pdf, "TWC News - Charlotte - Salisbury, Gastonia", "Prison Guard Salary | Averages, Ranges, and Starting", "McCrory budget plan includes pay raises for some, but not all", "Panama prison reform gets a boost from N.C. - Fayetteville Observer: News", http://www.doc.state.nc.us/NEWS/2007/releases/George%20Kenworth%20to%20Tabor.htm, "TABOR-LORIS TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012 PAGE 3", "TABOR-LORIS TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012 PAGE 3", "4th Annual Beach Wrestling State Championship wraps up at Carolina Beach", http://www.robesonian.com/view/full_story/6887871/article-2-prison-officers-charged-in-theft?instance=home_news_lead, "US NC: Two Prison Guards Charged With Trafficking Prescription Meds", "North Carolina Department of Public Safety", "20 bags of pot, 4 cell phones discovered in hole near jail", "Prison guard charged for sex offense and providing tobacco to an - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", "Fundraising campaign at Tabor prison under investigation", "Investigation of questionable prison fundraising complete", "State tight-lipped about death of inmate suspected of drinking 'homemade brew', "WECT Investigates: Fast food delivered to inmates - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", "McCrory brokered meeting on contract for friend and campaign donor | News & Observer", "Prison guard arrested in robbery, beheading plot - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", "Federal grand jury indicts Tabor City prison guard", "Correctional officer arrested for providing drugs to inmate - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", http://www.fayobserver.com/news/crime_courts/tabor-city-correctional-officer-accused-of-giving-drugs-to-inmate/article_74d52d84-a035-51f1-a1ac-c6b5d23e3643.html, "State: Tabor City prison guard 'appropriately reassigned' follow - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC", "Behind Bars: Why prison workers were fired", "Tabor City correctional officer faces larceny charges after incident at UNC medical facility", "Correctional officer was convicted a year before prison hired her", "Tabor Correctional sergeant resigns following arrest on drug charges", "New Hanover Co. The judge will determine what is done with the firearms after the trial. Conway said the investigation at TCI is ongoing. Sheriff: Its a black eye to the law enforcement profession. Go. Three correctional officers named in two separate incident reports filed by the Tabor City Police Department have resigned in the past week. More than 121 grams of synthetic marijuana was discovered during a search of the cell. Meggan Callahan was killed there allegedly by an inmate who beat her to death with a fire extinguisher. text: "Promote your event", Investigators filed a separate report for drug trafficking/smuggling following their conversation with Bullard on Nov. 18. function evvntDiscoveryInit() { About 60 inmates were also near Callahan when she was attacked on April 26, Jernigan said. [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. Thompson asked to speak to his attorney when interviewed. I dont understand how thats happening. Jelinek is a four-year officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Orban then forced the victim to disrobe and then brutally raped her at gunpoint, Ontario police said in a statement. Guice, the prison leader, acknowledged that the state faces significant staffing challenges. David McBride of the Ontario Police Department. Published: Nov. 23, 2021 at 8:20 PM PST TABOR CITY, N.C. (WECT) - Three correctional officers are off the job amid allegations of drug smuggling and after an inmate died from an apparent overdose. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is committed to continually improving the Public Inmate Locator System web experience to locate inmates. All rights reserved. ", In September 2014, local news channel WECT discovered that this administrator of the prison had approved using state employees and state vehicles to have fast food delivered to the prison inmates on several occasion. We'd love to hear from you. If inmates wanted to jump another inmate or take somebody out that day, that would be the time to do it when youre understaffed., 2017 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.). We was really hoping for him to be home for Thanksgiving.. Moore was serving a nine-month sentence for parole violation at the time of his death. Moore was arrested in September and charged in connection to a murder in Charlotte and another in Greensboro. [20] Kenworthy had been named as Administrator prior to the prison's opening on June 29, 2007.[21]. The smuggling of drugs into prisons is a nationwide problem, not just a North Carolina problem. [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. He can actually send illegal contraband through the jail, such as weapons, McLean said if the stamp were used on mail to inmates. The pay is low an average of the about $35,000 annually at maximum-security prisons and the work is dangerous and demanding. Thompson has not been linked to the death of Goodson at this time. Former Tabor Correctional officer jailed after sheriffs deputies seize drugs, 99 firearms three Robeson County detention officers in April, Lumber River United Way holds Annual Day of Caring, PSRC leaders continue defense of El Curriculum, NC report shows increase in student misconduct in 2021-22, Innovation, 3D printing saves UNCP swim meet, Pirates hit as Register hits 200 career wins, Big inning sends Pirates baseball past Hoke. Surveillance video in the prison led investigators to Thompson and to an inmate, who was allegedly provided some of the drug, Conway said. Jelinek has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation. The Tabor Correctional Institution, also known as Tabor City Prison, is a prison within the North Carolina Department of Public Safety located in Tabor City, North Carolina. Contents 1 Construction 2 Operation Orban and Jelinek were arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - District attorney Jon David released a statement Wednesday on the N.C. Department of Public Safetys internal investigation after a Tabor Correctional inmate died of a suspected overdose amid allegations of correctional officers smuggling drugs into the prison. While this is a criminal investigation, the District Attorneys Office is coordinating closely with leadership at the Department of Public Safety to ensure that they have sufficient information to make important personnel decisions. 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. He ran over and subdued the prisoner. Dustin Goodson is the inmate who died from the suspected drug overdose at Tabor Correctional. Statewide, correctional officers received more than $12 million in overtime in 2015, the Observer found. [51] Assistant Superintendent Larry Thompson was named Acting Superintendent until the next Superintendent was selected. TABOR CITY, N.C. (WECT) - An inmate at Tabor Correctional Institution died of an apparent suicide, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety. During the search of the deceaseds cell two small suboxone strips were located in the inmates cell and were collected by prison staff.. (The officer) also said that Thompson told her that he was bringing the drugs into the prison by hiding it in the soles of his boots. A Tabor Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital. Drugs are thrown over the fences (often stuffed into footballs or basketballs), hidden in the mail, brought in by staff or smuggled in during visitation. Sundland Fire also participated in the construction of the prison,[5] as did Bergelectric [6], TCI is located two miles (3km) northwest from the center of Tabor City, although it is considered a part of the city limits. Its unclear whether better staffing would have saved Callahans life. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, First Circuit: Surgery performed on inmate to locate alleged contraband a violation of the Fourth Amendment, Ala. police: Man gets ride home from jail, then kills 3 relatives and friend, Charges dropped against detainee after video showed beating by deputies inside Ga. jail, Inmate accused of slashing N.Y. corrections officer indicted, Open the tools menu in your browser.