Inmates Take Over Bertie-Martin Jail Amid Tense Crisis

In 2005, Fox aired “Prison Break,” a crime drama that became an instant hit for the network.

On Monday, a tense crisis erupted at Bertie-Martin Regional Jail in North Carolina, where inmates seized parts of the facility and held two guards hostage. The takeover began around 5 a.m., with at least 88 inmates holding three guards captive inside the jail.

Law enforcement agencies quickly responded to the situation, leading to negotiations that resulted in 18 inmates and two hostages being released by 9:30 a.m. A large group of inmates was subsequently freed as authorities regained control of the facility. Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin stated that their top priority is ensuring the safety of staff, inmates, and the community, while investigations are ongoing to determine how the inmates took control of the jail.