SLAIN PRISON WORKERS

NORTH CAROLINA — Families of prison workers killed in a brutal escape attempt are now suing North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, other leaders and the State Department of Corrections.

Four workers were stabbed to death inside the sewing plant at Pasquotank Correctional in 2017, an attack that Channel 9 has been investigating since 2018.

PAST COVERAGE: Charlotte prison officials discuss safety following prison attack in Pasquotank County

These lawsuits filed by family members of Wendy Shannon, Justin Smith and Veronica Darden point a lot of the blame at Governor Roy Cooper and state prison officials, saying the tragic deadly attacks could have been prevented.

In October 2017, inmates at Pasquotank Correctional Institution tried to escape by setting a fire inside the sewing plant, then attacking four employees with scissors and hammers.

Daughter of slain prison worker says state could have done more to protect her Daughter of slain prison worker says state could have done more to protect her

The civil lawsuits list dozens of ways the victims’ families claim Governor Cooper and state prison officials were negligent. It said they were all aware the prison operated below staffing levels, which put the staff, inmates and public at risk.

Employees did not have proper safety equipment or training and that because of inmate Mikel Brady’s violent past, he should have never been allowed to work in the sewing plant with access to sharp tools.

ALSO READ: 9 Investigates: Safety for NC prison workers after deadly 2017 attack

Last October, Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos sat down with the victims’ families and two survivors of the attack. They opened up about their heartache and why they don’t think the state’s safety changes go far enough.

Some of the states the state has taken since the attack include mandating overtime to fill prison vacancies, giving workers stab resistant vests and adding equipment to detect and block contraband cell phones.

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