Two inmates at the Randolph County Detention Center in Asheboro walked out of custody on Thursday not because of a bold escape attempt, but because of a mistake. Both were back behind bars later the same day, according to sheriff’s officials, after the errant releases triggered an immediate search by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities did not release the inmates’ names or the charges they were facing.
As reported by the Charlotte Observer, the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office said “human error was a contributing factor in the releases” and noted that many staff members are early in their careers and receive ongoing training. The outlet reported that the two left custody on Thursday and that deputies located them and returned them to the detention center later that day. The sheriff’s office has withheld their identities and charge details while the incident is under review.
Where it happened
According to the Randolph County Sheriff's Office website, the Asheboro detention center handles county arrests, court holds and transport for local cases. The county’s online directory lists both the sheriff’s administration and the detention center as responsible for custody, staffing and inmate processing. Sheriff pages also describe routine training and inmate-services programs that operate through the office.
Review underway
The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office told the Charlotte Observer that “the incident is being reviewed internally and is being addressed as a personnel matter.” Officials said supervisors have started auditing release procedures in an effort to reduce the risk of a repeat mistake. Authorities reported no public-safety incidents tied to the temporary releases.
Not an isolated problem
Mistaken releases have cropped up elsewhere in North Carolina. In 2023, a Mecklenburg County case involved a murder suspect who was wrongly freed and later returned to custody, according to CBS News. Coverage of similar incidents has pointed to paperwork errors, confusion over court orders and staffing pressures as recurring causes. Randolph County leaders said they will report the internal review’s findings once the probe is complete.
