Prison News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

FACT teams to help former inmates battling mental illness

A new initiative called FACT stands for Forensic Assertive Community Treatment. The goal of these FACT teams is to help formerly incarcerated people cope with mental illness and to try to keep them from going back to prison.

Pennsylvania program pairs pets with prisoners

The "New Leash on Life" program is a Pennsylvania nonprofit that gives prisoners the chance to help abandoned dogs find forever homes.

On The Record: Wake County non-profit advocates for women inmates reintegrating into society

Arise Collective, a Wake County-based non-profit organization, wants the reintegration of women inmates into our communities to be successful.

Tar Heel Traveler: The Prison News

This weeks Tar Heel Traveler takes a look behind a unique printing press in Nash County. The new publication is stirring interest across the state.

Tar Heel Traveler: Inmate tourism

Hundreds of tourism leaders are meeting in Hickory today as part of their annual convention. Tourism is a multi-million dollar industry in North Carolina, and one group of women plays a pivotal role

Inmate dies Tuesday at Goldsboro prison, officials say

An inmate at Neuse Correctional Institution died Tuesday morning, according to a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Sex offender back in custody after leaving work release in Duplin County

Authorities say Kevin Worsham, 44, left his assignment in Teachey Thursday night. He returned to the work site on Friday morning and was taken into custody.

Cooper commutes 15 death row inmates' sentences on last day as governor

One of Gov. Roy Cooper's final actions in office was to commute the death penalty sentences of 15 men on death row in North Carolina state prison. They will now serve a life sentence instead.

North Carolina plans changes after inmate's escape

In the wake of a high-profile inmate escape, North Carolina is instituting reforms to its prisoner transport protocols.

Durham man sentenced to over 11 years for armed robbery at BP gas station

A Durham man was sentenced Tuesday to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty in connection to a robbery and firearm charge.

WRAL Staff

Drone helps officers capture Lee County inmate

Officers on Saturday captured Johnathan Mabe, an inmate who escaped hours earlier from Sanford Correctional Center, a minimum-security prison facility in Lee County.

Final defendant linked to white supremacy group sentenced 7 years for plot to attack power grid

The last of five defendants charged in a conspiracy to attack an energy facility was sentenced on Monday.

WRAL Staff

Johnston County commissioner sentenced to prison for sex crimes

Richard D. Braswell had a prior relationship with the victim, often taking her places and buying her things, according to a close relative of the victim.

WRAL Staff

Visitors not allowed to see loved ones at Butner prison for 19 days and counting, officials won't say why

Family and friends of inmates at a Butner prison have not been able to visit their loved ones since Sept. 6.

WRAL staff

Woman accused of helping her brother escape custody in Orange County appears in court

Monique Brady appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon. She is charged with aiding and abetting a fugitive and harboring an escapee.

Convicted murderer's sister arrested, charged with helping him escape in Orange County

A convicted murderer's sister was arrested Wednesday and authorities charged her with helping her brother escape custody last week.

WRAL staff

Convicted murderer's sister arrested, charged with helping him with Aug. 13 escape in Orange County

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested and charged Ramone Alston's sister, 43-year-old Monique Brady, with aiding in his escape and helping him hide from authorities. Alston escaped custody on Aug. 13 in Hillsborough and he was caught three days later.

Americans arrive home after prisoner swap with Russia

Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Aslu Kurmasheva arrived in the United States late Thursday night after a prisoner exchange with Russia. Their families, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris greeted them on the tarmac of Joint Base Andrews.

Massive prisoner swap underway between US and Russia, senior official says

A large-scale prisoner swap between the U.S. and Russia is underway, a senior official said. It is expected to include American journalist Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan and several Americans.

Russia releases Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan in historic prisoner swap with West

(CNN) — The United States and Russia carried out a historic prisoner exchange Thursday when two dozen detainees, including former US Marine Paul Whelan and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, were released as part of a sweeping deal that involved at least seven countries.

By Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood and Ivana Kottasová, CNN

Former Camp Lejeune marines among 3 sentenced for extremist plot to destroy energy facility

Three men with ties to white supremacist groups were sentenced to federal prison Thursday for plotting to attack a power grid, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

WRAL Staff

Family frustrated with release of man linked to son's murder

A family has serious concerns about justice after learning that a man convicted in connection with the son's murder is scheduled for release next month.

Family of missing man longs for closure even as murder suspect is set to be released

A family has serious concerns about justice after learning that a man convicted in connection with the son's murder is scheduled for release next month.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Fact check: Trump denies calling for Clinton to be locked up

Former President Donald Trump said in a June 2 Fox News interview that he never said, "Lock her up" in his attacks on Hillary Clinton.

Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporter

Prisoners are using VR to prepare them for life after release

The women at MCIW come to the facility's gymnasium, reminiscent of a high school gym, for the training. When they put the headsets on, they're transported to a virtual auto repair garage, where they can operate the car lift and use various tools.

By Clare Duffy, CNN