Is There A Problem with the Parole System in North Carolina?

Is there a problem with the parole system in North Caro ... (Added: July 21, 2009)

Two career criminals, crossing state lines, and accused of committing serious crimes in South Carolina: Is there a problem with the parole system in North Carolina? (more)

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By Connie LeGrand
Published: July 21, 2009

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Two career criminals, crossing state lines, and accused of committing serious crimes in South Carolina: Is there a problem with the parole system in North Carolina?

Fifty-two-year-old Jerry Case is charged kidnapping, assault and battery with intent to kill after deputies say he abducted a family in North Carolina Friday and drove them to South Carolina where he was shot in a shoot-out with deputies Saturday. Deputies say Case was out on parole being convicted of killing a cab driver in the 1980’s. The family escaped unharmed, but Case's arrest came just two weeks after the man who police say was Gaffney's serial killer, Patrick Burris was fatally shot by police in Gastonia, North Carolina. Burris and Case were both convicted felons from North Carolina on parole, accused of committing crimes in South Carolina. News Channel 7 traveled to North Carolina to ask the governor why.

Governor Beverly Perdue told News Channel 7’s Carrie Davis, “I know about what happened. I am amazed that Gaffney was involved both times, and I asking the folks of that area not to judge North Carolina by the fact that these two incidents have happened. We are going to fix what's allowed them to happen." Purdue says she has launched an investigation into both cases to find out if there are problems that need to be fixed, but says it just enforces her previous calls for reform including an increase the number of parole officers and a more sophisticated system. "One of the things I intend to do, and am doing as governor, is to fix some of the messes. This is something that never should have happened," said Perdue.

We asked the North Carolina Department of Correction if either case could have been prevented:
"It’s certainly a fair question to ask," said spokesman Keith Acree. He says when it comes to Case, he served his time for the crime. "At the Department of Corrections our job to ensure that people serve sentences for which they are sentenced by the courts." However, when it comes to Burris, who was released from jail after being arrested for violating parole, Acree says the Governor is on the right track. He says more parole officers are needed. "One of the things we are looking at in North Carolina’s probation and parole system are case loads that they are higher than we would like them to be...You know, technology plays a role as well, and the sharing of information," says Acree.

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