Federal agents from the FBI's Charlotte field office moved in alongside Bertie County deputies on Monday after inmates took over parts of the Bertie‑Martin Regional Jail in Windsor, turning a quiet early morning into a full‑scale regional response. Officials said the incident was still unfolding and kept a tight lid on details as law enforcement worked to lock the facility back down.
FBI Charlotte is assisting the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office with an active situation at the Bertie‑Martin Regional Jail. The scene is still active, and no further details are available at this time. https://x.com/i/status/2071605884128526354
— FBI Charlotte (@FBICHarlotte) June 29, 2026
What Happened Inside the Jail
The State Bureau of Investigation says the disturbance kicked off around 5 a.m., when inmates overpowered staff and grabbed control of sections of the facility. At the time, three detention officers were on duty and 88 inmates were inside. One officer managed to escape, and negotiators later secured the release of two more officers and a group of inmates around 9:30 a.m., with another large group let out shortly before 10 a.m. Authorities continued working to regain full control of the jail, according to WITN.
Federal Involvement and Public Word of the Crisis
FBI Charlotte announced on X that its field office was assisting the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office. According to FBI Charlotte, the scene remained active and there were no additional details to share, making that brief social media post one of the earliest public confirmations of the unfolding situation.
Who Responded and What Officials Said
"Our top priority is the safety of our staff, inmates, and the surrounding community," Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said, as officials urged nearby residents to steer clear of the area. Law enforcement from roughly 10 counties, the SBI, other state agencies and federal partners converged on the scene, according to WITN.
About the Bertie‑Martin Regional Jail
The Bertie‑Martin Regional Jail, at 230 County Farm Road in Windsor, is a joint facility serving Bertie and Martin counties, with a rated capacity of about 90 beds, according to the North Carolina Jail Administrators directory. It regularly houses detainees from multiple agencies, which helped explain the high number of people inside when the disturbance started.
Investigators with the SBI and federal partners remained on site as officials methodically secured and cleared the jail. Authorities have not released names, specific charges, or any timetable for when the facility will return to normal operations.
