North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is ordering extra safety measures after an attempted prison breakout left two corrections officers dead and a dozen other prison workers and inmates injured.
Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday suspended the inmate work program at Pasquotank Correctional Institution in Elizabeth City, the scene of Thursday's attempted escape by four inmates. Authorities said the inmates started a fire in a prison sewing operation where they worked to divert guards and allow their escape.
Cooper also ordered increased officers in areas where inmates work and a safety review of all inmate work programs.
Deputy state prisons director Annie Harvey says the four inmates suspected in the escape plot were treated for injuries Thursday and transferred to a high-security prison near Raleigh. She says criminal charges are pending.
The NC Department of Public Safety said Friday it has begun taking steps to make changes to policies and safety measures.
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