North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 3 D cosponsors

SB 421 — Prison Reform Omnibus.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 20% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    0 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

65 added · 66 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 421, language has been refined to emphasize the importance of providing prisoners with voluntary work opportunities that focus on rehabilitation and job skills. This change aims to prioritize training in industries where there are actual job openings, helping inmates gain skills that can lead to employment after release. These updates reflect a growing recognition of the need for effective rehabilitation in the prison system, which can ultimately reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 24, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 421 Short Title:
421 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45239-ND-46 Short Title:Prison Reform Omnibus.
Prison Reform Omnibus.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REFORM PRISON LABOR LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA TO ENSURE FAIR COMPENSATION, MEANINGFUL REHABILITATION, EQUITABLE WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST LABOR EXPLOITATION.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 25, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REFORM PRISON LABOR LAWS IN NORTH CAROLINA TO ENSURE FAIR COMPENSATION, MEANINGFUL REHABILITATION, EQUITABLE WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST LABOR EXPLOITATION.
(a) It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that all incarcerated individuals who are medically and physically fit, as determined by a licensed healthcare professional, may be *DRS45239-ND-46* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 provided with voluntary work opportunities that are rehabilitative, workforce-oriented, and fairly compensated.
(a) It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that all incarcerated individuals who are medically and physically fit, as determined by a licensed healthcare professional, may be *S421-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 provided with voluntarywork opportunities that are rehabilitative, workforce-oriented, and fairly compensated.
(1) Prioritize training and skill development in industries with viable employment opportunities upon release.
(1) Prioritizetrainingand skill development in industries with viable employment opportunities upon release.
Page 2 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 148-28.
Page 2 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 148-28.
If the Division determines that bedspace is not available for a prisoner an incarcerated individual after the sheriff has notified the Division that the prisoner incarcerated individual is ready for transfer, reimbursement underthis subsectionshall bemadebeginningonthe day afterthe sheriff gave the notification.
If the Division determines that bedspace is not available for a prisoner an incarcerated individual after the sheriff has notified the Division that the prisoner incarcerated individual is ready for transfer, reimbursement underthis subsectionshall bemadebeginningonthe dayafterthe sheriff gave the notification.
Beginning on the day after the Division has been notified by the sheriff that a prisoner an incarcerated individual is ready for transfer and the Division has informed the sheriff that bedspace is not available for that prisoner, incarcerated individual, and continuing through the day the prisoner incarcerated individual is received by the Division, the Division shall pay the county:county all of the following:
Beginning on the day after the Division has been notified by the sheriff that a prisoner an incarcerated individual is ready for transfer and the Division has informed the sheriff that bedspace is not available for that prisoner, incarcerated individual, and continuing through the daythe prisoner incarcerated individual is received bythe Division, the Division shall pay the county:county all of the following:
(1) A standard sum set by the General Assembly in its appropriations acts for the cost of providing food, clothing, personal items, supervision, and necessary DRS45239-ND-46 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 ordinary medical services to the parolee or post-release supervisee awaiting transfer to the State prison system;
(1) A standard sum set by the General Assembly in its appropriations acts for the cost of providing food, clothing, personal items, supervision, and necessary Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 ordinary medical services to the parolee or post-release supervisee awaiting transfer to the State prison system;
If the Division determines that bedspace is not available for a prisoner an incarcerated individual after the sheriff has notified the Division that the prisoner incarcerated individual is ready for transfer, reimbursement underthis subsectionshall bemadebeginning on the dayafterthe sheriff gave the notification.
If the Division determines that bedspace is not available for a prisoner an incarcerated individual after the sheriff has notified the Division that the prisoner incarcerated individual is ready for transfer, reimbursement underthis subsection shall bemadebeginning on the dayafterthe sheriff gave the notification.
… (b) In the event that the custodian of the local confinement facility certifies in writing to the clerk of the superior court in the county in which the local confinement facility is located that the local confinement facility is filled to capacity, or that the facility cannot reasonably accommodate any more prisoners incarcerated individuals due to segregation requirements for particular prisoners, incarcerated individuals or that the custodian anticipates, in light of local experiences, an influx of temporary prisoners incarcerated individuals at that time, or if the local confinement facility does not meet theminimumstandardspublishedpursuant to G.S.
… (b) In the event that the custodian of the local confinement facility certifies in writing to the clerk of the superior court in the county in which the local confinement facility is located that the local confinement facility is filled to capacity, or that the facility cannot reasonably accommodate any more prisoners incarcerated individuals due to segregation requirements for particular prisoners, incarcerated individuals or that the custodian anticipates, in light of local experiences, an influx of temporary prisoners incarcerated individuals at that time, or if the local confinement facilitydoes not meet theminimumstandardspublishedpursuant to G.S.
7A-41.1 where the facility is located may order that a prisoner an incarcerated individual not housed pursuant to the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program established in subsection (b2) of this section be transferred to any other qualified local confinement facility within that district or within another such district where space is available, including a satellite jail unit operated pursuant to G.S.
7A-41.1 where the facility is located may order that a prisoner an incarcerated individual not housed pursuant to the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program established in subsection (b2) of this section be transferred to any other qualified local confinement facilitywithin that district or within another such district where space is available, including a satellite jail unit operated pursuant to G.S.
… Page 4 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b2) The Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program is established.
… Page 4 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b2) The Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program is established.
Upon receiving such request and certification in writing, any superior or district court judge for the district in which the local confinement facility is located may, after ascertaining that the request meets the criteria set forth in subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, order the DRS45239-ND-46 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 misdemeanant transferred to a unit of the State prison system designated by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction or the Secretary's authorized representative.
Upon receiving such request and certification in writing, any superior or district court judge for the district in which the local confinement facility is located may, after ascertaining that the request meets the criteria set forth in subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection, order the Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 misdemeanant transferred to a unit of the State prison system designated by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction or the Secretary's authorized representative.
The officer in charge of the prison unit designated by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall receive custody of the prisoner incarcerated individual in accordance with the terms of the order.
The officer in charge of the prison unit designated bythe Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall receive custody of the prisoner incarcerated individual in accordance with the terms of the order.
Prior to the conclusion of the 30-day period, the Division of Prisons shall conduct an assessment of treatment and venue needs.
Prior to the conclusion of the 30-dayperiod, the Division of Prisons shall conduct an assessment of treatment and venue needs.
To extend the order beyond the initial 30-day period, the sheriff shall provide the Division of Prisons assessment and any other relevant information to the resident judge or the superior court or any judge holding superior court in the district or any district court judge who shall determine whether to extend the transfer of the prisoner incarcerated individual to a unit of the State prison system beyond the initial 30-day period.
To extend the order beyond the initial 30-dayperiod, the sheriff shall provide the Division of Prisons assessment and anyother relevant information to the resident judge or the superior court or any judge holding superior court in the district or any district court judge who shall determine whether to extend the transfer of the prisoner incarcerated individual to a unit of the State prison system beyond the initial 30-day period.
If the judge determines that the prisoner incarcerated individual should not remain in the custody of the Division of Prisons, the officer in charge of the prison unit designated by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall release custody of the prisoner incarcerated individual in accordance with the court order and the instructions of the attending medical or mental health professional.
If the judge determines that the prisoner incarcerated individual should not remain in the custody of the Division of Prisons, the officer in charge of the prison unit designated bythe Secretaryof the Department of Adult Correction shall release custody of the prisoner incarcerated individual in accordance with the court order and the instructions of the attending medical or mental health professional.
20-138.1 into a local confinement facility or to a detention facility approved by the Division ofJuvenileJusticeof theDepartment ofPublicSafety Page 6 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 pursuant to this section, the custodian of the local confinement facility or detention facility shall forward to the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission information pertaining to the prisonerincarcerated individual so as to makehim theindividual eligiblefor parole consideration pursuant to G.S.
20-138.1 into a local confinement facility or to a detention facilityapproved bythe Division ofJuvenileJusticeoftheDepartmentofPublicSafety Page 6 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 pursuant to this section, the custodian of the local confinement facility or detention facility shall forward to the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission information pertaining to the prisonerincarcerated individual so as to makehim theindividual eligible for parole consideration pursuant to G.S.
(d) Medical assessments for DOT and forestry work shall include, at a minimum, each of the following requirements:
(d) Medical assessments for DOT and forestrywork shall include, at a minimum, each of the following requirements:
(4) Theoverall impact of prisonlaborprograms onNorth Carolina's economy and workforce development efforts.
(4) Theoverall impact of prisonlaborprograms onNorth Carolina's economyand workforce development efforts.
DRS45239-ND-46 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c) The Department of Adult Correction shall establish a Prison Labor Complaint Hotline, allowing incarcerated individuals, their families, and advocates to anonymously report labor violations, wage theft, or unsafe conditions related to the work of incarcerated individuals.
Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c) The Department of Adult Correction shall establish a Prison Labor Complaint Hotline, allowing incarcerated individuals, their families, and advocates to anonymously report labor violations, wage theft, or unsafe conditions related to the work of incarcerated individuals.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall authorize immediate work-release privileges for any person serving a sentence not exceeding five years in the State prison system and for whom the presiding judge shall have recommended work-release privileges when (i) it is verifiedthat appropriate employmentfortheperson is available in an area where, in thejudgment of the Secretary, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction has facilities to which the person may suitably be assigned, and (ii) custodial and correctional considerations would not be adverse to releasing the person without supervision into the free community.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall authorize immediate work-release privileges for any person serving a sentence not exceeding five years in the State prison system and for whom the presiding judge shall have recommended work-release privileges when (i) it is verifiedthat appropriate employment fortheperson is available in an area where,in thejudgment of the Secretary, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction has facilities to which the person may suitably be assigned, and (ii) custodial and correctional considerations would not be adverse to releasing the person without supervision into the free community.
(f) AprisonerAnincarcerated individual whois convicted ofa felony and whois granted work-release privileges shall give his the incarcerated individual's work-release earnings, less standard payroll deductions required by law, to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
(f) AprisonerAnincarcerated individual whois convicted ofa felonyandwhois granted work-release privileges shall give his the incarcerated individual's work-release earnings, less standard payroll deductions required by law, to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction or the sentencing court, as appropriate, shall determine the amount to be deducted from a prisoner's an incarcerated individual's work-release earnings to pay for the cost of the prisoner's incarcerated Page 8 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 individual's keep and to accumulate a reasonable sum to be paid the prisoner incarcerated individual when he the individual is paroled or discharged from prison.
The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction or the sentencing court, as appropriate, shall determine the amount to be deducted from a prisoner's an incarcerated individual's work-release earnings to pay for the cost of the prisoner's incarcerated Page 8 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 individual's keep and to accumulate a reasonable sum to be paid the prisoner incarcerated individual when he the individual is paroled or discharged from prison.
The Division or sentencing courtshall also determinetheamount to bedisbursed by theDivision orclerk ofcourt, as appropriate, for each of the following:
The Division or sentencingcourtshall also determinetheamount to bedisbursedbytheDivisionorclerkofcourt, as appropriate, for each of the following:
Restitution by prisoners incarcerated individuals with work-releaseprivileges.
Restitution by prisoners incarcerated individuals withwork-releaseprivileges.
The Secretary shall not be bound by such this recommendation, but if they elect the Secretary elects DRS45239-ND-46 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 not to implement the recommendation, they the Secretary shall state in writing the reasons therefor, for not doing so and shall forward the same to the sentencing court.
The Secretary shall not be bound by such this recommendation, but if they elect the Secretary elects Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 not to implement the recommendation, they the Secretary shall state in writing the reasons therefor, for not doing so and shall forward the same to the sentencing court.
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall establish rules and regulations to implement this section, which shall include adequate notice to the prisoner incarcerated individual that the payment of restitution or reparation from any earnings gained by the prisoner incarcerated individual while on work release is being considered as a condition of any work-release privileges granted the prisoner, incarcerated individual, and opportunity for the prisoner incarcerated individual to be heard.
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall establish rules and regulations to implement this section, which shall include adequate notice to the prisoner incarcerated individual that the payment of restitution or reparation from any earnings gained by the prisoner incarcerated individual while on work release is being considered as a condition of any work-release privileges granted the prisoner, incarcerated individual, and opportunityfor the prisoner incarcerated individual to be heard.
Subject to such these rules and regulations, the Secretary shall classify the facilities of the State prison system and develop a variety of programs so as to permit proper segregation and treatment of prisoners incarcerated individuals according to the nature of the offenses committed,thecharacterandmental conditionofthe prisoners,incarceratedindividuals, and such other factors as should be considered in providing an individualized system of discipline, care, and correctional treatment of persons committed to the Division.
Subject to such these rules and regulations, the Secretary shall classify the facilities of the State prison system and develop a variety of programs so as to permit proper segregation and treatment of prisoners incarcerated individuals according to the nature of the offenses committed,thecharacterandmental conditionofthe prisoners, incarceratedindividuals, and such other factors as should be considered in providing an individualized system of discipline, care, and correctional treatment of persons committed to the Division.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, or his the Secretary's authorized representative, shall designatetheplaces of confinementwheresentences to imprisonmentin theState's prisonsystem shall be served.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, or his the Secretary's authorized representative, shall designatetheplaces of confinementwheresentences to imprisonment in theState's prisonsystem shall be served.
Forthispurpose,theDivisionmaypurchaseorleasesites andsuitablelandsadjacent Page 10 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 thereto to those sites and erect necessary buildings thereon, on those sites and lands, or purchase or lease existing facilities, all within the limits of allotments as approved by the Department of Administration.
Forthispurpose,theDivisionmaypurchaseorleasesites andsuitablelandsadjacent Page 10 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 thereto to those sites and erect necessary buildings thereon, on those sites and lands, or purchase or lease existing facilities, all within the limits of allotments as approved by the Department of Administration.
Contracts for receiving federal, county and city prisoners incarcerated individuals shall provide for reimbursing the State in full for all costs involved.
Contracts for receiving federal, countyand cityprisoners incarcerated individuals shall provide for reimbursing the State in full for all costs involved.
… (c) In addition to the authority contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, and in addition to the contracts ratified by subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may enter into contracts with any public entity or any private nonprofit or for-profit firms for the confinement and care of State prisoners incarcerated individuals in any out-of-state correctional facility when to do so would most economically and effectively promote the purposes served by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
… (c) In addition to the authority contained in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, and in addition to the contracts ratified bysubsection (f) of this section, the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may enter into contracts with any public entity or any private nonprofit or for-profit firms for the confinement and care of State prisoners incarcerated individuals in any out-of-state correctional facilitywhen to do so would most economicallyand effectivelypromote the purposes served by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
The rules regarding good time and gain time, discipline,classification, extension ofthelimits ofconfinement,transfers,housing arrangements, and eligibility for parole shall apply to inmates incarcerated individuals housed in those out-of-state correctional facilities.
The rules regarding good time and gain time, discipline,classification, extension ofthelimits ofconfinement,transfers,housingarrangements, and eligibility for parole shall apply to inmates incarcerated individuals housed in those out-of-state correctional facilities.
The operators of those out-of-state correctional facilities may promulgate any other rules as may be necessary for the operation of those facilities with the DRS45239-ND-46 Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 written approval of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction.
The operators of those out-of-state correctional facilities may promulgate any other rules as may be necessary for the operation of those facilities with the Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 written approval of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction.
… (g) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may contract with private for-profit ornonprofit firms fortheprovision and operationoffourormore confinement facilities totaling up to 2,000 beds in the State to house State prisoners incarcerated individuals when to do so would most economically and effectively promote the purposes served by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
… (g) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may contract with private for-profit ornonprofit firms fortheprovision and operation offourormore confinementfacilities totaling up to 2,000 beds in the State to house State prisoners incarcerated individuals when to do so would most economically and effectively promote the purposes served by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may review and Page 12 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 approve the design and construction of private confinement facilities before housing State prisoners incarcerated individuals in these facilities.
The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may review and Page 12 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 approve the design and construction of private confinement facilities before housing State prisoners incarcerated individuals in these facilities.
Custodial officials employed by a private confinement facility are agents of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction and may use those procedures for use of force authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction to defend themselves, to enforce the observance of discipline in compliance with confinement facility rules, to secure the person of a prisoner, an incarcerated individual, and to prevent escape.
Custodial officials employed by a private confinement facility are agents of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction and may use those procedures for use of force authorized by the Secretaryof the Department of Adult Correction to defend themselves, to enforce the observance of discipline in compliance with confinement facility rules, to secure the person of a prisoner, an incarcerated individual, and to prevent escape.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to facilities owned or operated by the federal government and used exclusively for the confinement of inmates incarcerated individuals serving sentences for violation of federal law, but only to the extent that such those facilities are not subject to restriction by the states under the provisions of the United States Constitution.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to facilities owned or operated by the federal government and used exclusivelyfor the confinement of inmates incarcerated individuals serving sentences for violation of federal law, but only to the extent that such those facilities are not subject to restriction by the states under the provisions of the United States Constitution.
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… (c) Any private corporation described in subsection (a) of this section shall reimburse the State and any county or other law enforcement agency for the full cost of any additional expenses DRS45239-ND-46 Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 incurred by the State or the county or other law enforcement agency in connection with the pursuit and apprehension of an escaped inmate incarcerated individual from the facility.
… (c) Anyprivate corporation described in subsection (a) of this section shall reimburse the State and anycountyor other law enforcement agency for the full cost of any additional expenses Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 13 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 incurred by the State or the county or other law enforcement agency in connection with the pursuit and apprehension of an escaped inmate incarcerated individual from the facility.
The rules and regulations for the government of the State prison system may provide for the recapture of convicts incarcerated individuals that may escape, or any convicts incarcerated individuals that may have escaped from the State's prison or prison camps, or county road camps of this State, and the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction may pay to any person recapturing an escaped convict such incarcerated individual a reward or expense of recapture as the regulations may provide.
The rules and regulations for the government of the State prison system may provide for the recapture of convicts incarcerated individuals that may escape, or any convicts incarcerated individuals that mayhave escaped from the State's prison or prison camps, or county road camps of this State, and the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction may pay to any person recapturing an escaped convict such incarcerated individual a reward or expense of recapture as the regulations may provide.
Any citizen of North Carolina shall have authority to apprehend any convict incarcerated individual who may escape before the expiration of the convict's incarcerated individual's term of imprisonment whether the convict incarcerated individual be guilty of a felony or misdemeanor, and retain the convict incarcerated individual in custody and deliver the convict incarcerated individual to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
Any citizen of North Carolina shall have authority to apprehend any convict incarcerated individual who may escape before the expiration of the convict's incarcerated individual's term of imprisonment whether the convict incarcerated individual be guiltyof a felony or misdemeanor, and retain the convict incarcerated individual in custody and deliver the convict incarcerated individual to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction.
When any person who has been confined or placed to work escapes from the State prison system, the Secretary shall immediately notify the Governor, and accompany the notice with a full description of the escaped prisoner, incarcerated individual, togetherwith suchinformation as will aid in the recapture.TheGovernor may offer such rewards as he the Governor may deem desirable and necessary for the recapture and return to the State prison system of any person who may escape or who heretofore has escaped therefrom.
When any person who has been confined or placed to work escapes from the State prison system, the Secretaryshall immediately notify the Governor, and accompany the notice with a full description of the escaped prisoner, incarcerated individual, togetherwith suchinformationas will aid in the recapture.
TheGovernor may offer such rewards as he the Governor may deem desirable and necessary for the recapture and return to the State prison system of any person who may escape or who heretofore has escaped therefrom.
Escaping orattempting escape from State prison system;
Escaping orattempting escape fromState prison system;
… Page 14 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Any person in the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, in any of the classifications hereinafter set forth, forth in this subsection, who shall escape from the State prison system, shall, except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, be punished as a Class H felon:
… Page 14 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (b) Any person in the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, in any of the classifications hereinafter set forth, forth in this subsection, who shall escape from the State prison system, shall, except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, be punished as a Class H felon:
(5) Any person previously convicted of escaping or attempting to escape from the State prison system.
(5) Anyperson previouslyconvicted of escaping or attempting to escape from the State prison system.
(a) When any prisoner, incarcerated individual, or several combined combined, shall offer violence to any officer, overseer, or correctional officer, or to any fellow prisoner, incarcerated individual, or attempt to do any injury to the prison building, or to any workshop, or other equipment, or shall attempt to escape, or shall resist, or disobey any lawful command, the officer, overseer, or correctional officer shall use any means necessary to defend himself, or DRS45239-ND-46 Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 to enforce the observance of discipline, or to secure the person of the offender, and to prevent an escape.
(a) When any prisoner, incarcerated individual, or several combined combined, shall offer violence to any officer, overseer, or correctional officer, or to any fellow prisoner, incarcerated individual, or attempt to do any injury to the prison building, or to any workshop, or other equipment, or shall attempt to escape, or shall resist, or disobey any lawful command, the officer, overseer, or correctional officer shall use any means necessary to defend himself, or Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 15 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 to enforce the observance of discipline, or to secure the person of the offender, and to prevent an escape.
(b) A misdemeanor prisoner incarcerated individual classified and treated as a convicted felon as the result of a consecutive felony sentence or sentences, or a convicted felon placed in the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction pending the outcome of an appeal, or adefendant charged with afelony orfeloniesandplacedin thecustody oftheSecretary of the Department of Adult Correction pending trial, shall be considered as a convicted felon in the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction against whom any means reasonably necessary, including deadly force, may be used to prevent an escape.
(b) A misdemeanor prisoner incarcerated individual classified and treated as a convicted felon as the result of a consecutive felony sentence or sentences, or a convicted felon placed in the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction pending the outcome of an appeal, or adefendant charged with afelonyorfeloniesand placed in thecustodyoftheSecretary of the Department of Adult Correction pending trial, shall be considered as a convicted felon in the custody of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction against whom any means reasonably necessary, including deadly force, may be used to prevent an escape.
Any person serving a sentence or sentences within the State prison system who, during the term of such imprisonment, willfully and intentionally inflicts upon himself any injury resulting in a permanent or temporary incapacity to perform work or duties assigned to him that person by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, or any prisoner incarcerated individual who aids or abets any other prisoner incarcerated individual in the commission of such offense, shall be punished as a Class H felon.
Any person serving a sentence or sentences within the State prison system who, during the term of such imprisonment, willfully and intentionally inflicts upon himself any injury resulting in a permanent or temporary incapacity to perform work or duties assigned to him that person by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, or any prisoner incarcerated individual who aids or abets anyother prisoner incarcerated individual in the commission of such offense, shall be punished as a Class H felon.
When the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction finds as a fact that the injury to any prisoner incarcerated individual was willfully and intentionally self-inflicted and that an operation or treatment is necessary for the preservation or restoration of the health of the prisoner incarcerated individual and that the prisoner incarcerated individual is competent to act for himself or herself;
When the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction finds as a fact that the injury to any prisoner incarcerated individual was willfully and intentionally self-inflicted and that an operation or treatment is necessaryfor the preservation or restoration of the health of the prisoner incarcerated individual and that the prisoner incarcerated individual is competent to act for himself or herself;
Any child born of a female prisoner incarcerated individual while she the individual is in custody shall as soon as practicable be surrendered to the director of social services of the county wherein where the child was born upon a proper order of the domestic relations court or juvenile court of said that county affecting the custody of said the child.
Any child born of a female prisoner incarcerated individual while she the individual is in custody shall as soon as practicable be surrendered to the director of social services of the county wherein where the child was born upon a proper order of the domestic relations court or juvenile court of said that county affecting the custodyof said the child.
…." Page 16 DRS45239-ND-46 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.
…." Page 16 Senate Bill 421-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 3.
DRS45239-ND-46 Page 17
Senate Bill 421-First Edition Page 17
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 176 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

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Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (176)

176 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety labor education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 421?
SB 421 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Val Applewhite (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 421?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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