A tense standoff unfolded Monday morning after inmates overpowered correctional officers and seized control of parts of a detention center in eastern North Carolina, prompting a large law enforcement response and hours…

A tense standoff unfolded Monday morning after ⛓️Inmates overpowered correctional officers and seized control of parts of a detention center in eastern 🌲North Carolina, prompting a large law enforcement response and hours of negotiations.

The incident began around 5 a.m. at the Bertie-Martin Regional Detention Center in Windsor, according to the 🌲North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, per the New York Post.

At the time, three correctional officers were supervising 88 ⛓️Inmates inside the facility when the situation escalated.

Authorities said ⛓️Inmates captured two of the officers while a third guard managed to escape and alert emergency responders.

Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies quickly converged on the jail as officials worked to contain the incident.

Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin said there was no immediate danger to residents outside the detention center. Windsor is located roughly 120 miles east of Raleigh.

Negotiators spent several hours communicating with those inside the jail. Their efforts resulted in the release of 18 ⛓️Inmates and the two correctional officers at approximately 9:30 a.m.

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Officials later announced that another large group of ⛓️Inmates had also been released from the affected area of the facility.

Authorities said the two officers were freed without suffering any additional injuries.

Officials have not disclosed how many ⛓️Inmates remained inside the portions of the jail that had not yet been secured.

Law enforcement maintained a heavy presence around the detention center throughout the response while jail administrators worked alongside state and federal agencies to restore full control of the facility.

A secure perimeter was established around the jail, and members of the public were urged to avoid the surrounding area while operations continued.

"Our top priority is the safety of our staff, ⛓️Inmates, and the surrounding community," Sheriff Ruffin said in a statement.

As authorities continue working to secure the detention center fully, investigators are expected to examine the sequence of events that led to the takeover and review security procedures at the facility.

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Additional information is anticipated once the operation is complete.