RALEIGH, N.C. — Top administrators at a North Carolina prison where four employees were killed during the deadliest breakout attempt in state history are suspended with pay after an outside investigation found multiple security lapses before and after the slayings.
[Report: Understaffing, corners cut at NC prison where 4 employees died]
State prisons spokesman Jerry Higgins said Wednesday that Pasquotank Correctional Institution Administrator Felix Taylor and assistant superintendent for custody operations Colbert Respass were placed on leave with pay this week.
PAST COVERAGE:
- NC safety head: Prison deaths investigation may stay secret
- Boy sings for 'love, sweet love' in response to NC prison attack
- NC prisons were growing more dangerous before attack, data indicates
- 4 NC inmates charged with murder in attempted prison escape
Higgins says they'll stay out until the end of an investigation. He refused to say whether that was the criminal investigation into the assaults, or something else.
The move comes after a National Institute of Corrections evaluation report released last week said the Pasquotank prison was so understaffed that workers cut corners in ways that created opportunities for the deadly October breakout attempt.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- 2 dead after massive 2-alarm fire destroys southeast Charlotte home
- Appalachian State tennis coach suspended over player's comment
- Health officials say 38 more dead from flu in South Carolina
- WATCH: Keith Monday's Thursday forecast outlook
- Robert Wagner a 'person of interest' in Natalie Wood's death
- Fifth arrest made in Burke County kidnapping case; victim still missing
Associated Press
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
