Correctional Officer Killed during escape attempt.

Correctional Officer Justin Smith and Correction Enterprises Manager Veronica Darden were killed during an escape attempt from the Pasquotank Correctional Institute at approximately 3:00 pm.

Several inmates ignited a fire inside the prison's Specialty Sewing Plant as a diversion. Prison personnel and responding fire department crews were able to bring the fire under control and prevent the escape.

Officer Smith and Correction Manager Darden succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident. Three other corrections officers were flown to hospitals in Virginia in critical condition.

Officer Smith had served with the North Carolina Division of Prisons for five years.

https://336c5c855b5779d81c79-2f69aae...ages/stars.png

Please contact the following agency to send condolences or to obtain funeral arrangements:
Director Kenneth Lassiter (c/o Scott Bauer, Liaison Officer)
North Carolina Department of Public Safety - Division of Prisons
831 West Morgan Street
4260 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

Phone: (919) 838-4000

How terrible. :( RIP, Officer Smith.

This is such a sad and common situation in the prison systems. They are hugely understaffed and every one of these escapes or fatalities of Corrections Officers (CO) is a result of it. One CO cannot safely manage the numbers of inmates, often over 100, alone and perform in a safe manor. Condolences to the families and prayers to the wounded that they heal fully.