G.S. ch. 148, art. 2

in effect

G.S. 148-11 Authority to adopt rules; authority to designate uniforms.

§ 148-11. Authority to adopt rules; authority to designate uniforms. (a) The Secretary shall adopt rules for the government of the State prison system. The Secretary shall have the rules that pertain to enforcing discipline read to every prisoner when received in the State prison system and a printed copy of these rules made available to the prisoners. (b) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction has sole authority to designate the uniforms worn by inmates confined in the Division of Prisons. (1873-4, c. 158, s. 15; Code, s. 3444; Rev., s. 5401; C.S., s. 7721; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 4; 1957, c. 349, s. 4; 1967, c. 996, ss. 14, 15; 1973, c. 1262, s. 10; 1983, c. 147, s. 1; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1991, c. 418, s. 15; c. 477, ss. 6, 8; 1995, c. 507, s. 27.8(u); 1999-109, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 19.1(i), (j); 2017-186, s. 2(eeeeeee); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (r).)

G.S. 148-12 Diagnostic and classification programs.

§ 148-12. Diagnostic and classification programs. (a) The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Corrections shall, as soon as practicable, establish diagnostic centers to make social, medical, and psychological studies of persons committed to the Division. Full diagnostic studies shall be made before initial classification in cases where such studies have not been made. (b) Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 711, s. 33, effective July 1, 1978. (c) Any prisoner confined in the State prison system while under a sentence of imprisonment imposed upon conviction of a felony shall be classified and treated as a convicted felon even if, before beginning service of the felony sentence, such prisoner has time remaining to be served in the State prison system on a sentence or sentences imposed upon conviction of a misdemeanor or misdemeanors. (1917, c. 278, s. 2; 1919, c. 191, s. 2; C.S., s. 7750; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 5; 1959, c. 50; 1967, c. 996, s. 2; 1973, c. 1446, s. 27; 1977, c. 711, s. 33; 1977, 2nd Sess., c. 1147, s. 32; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(fffffff); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p).)

G.S. 148-13 Regulations as to custody grades, privileges, gain time credit, etc.

§ 148-13. Regulations as to custody grades, privileges, gain time credit, etc. (a) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may issue regulations regarding the grades of custody in which State prisoners are kept, the privileges and restrictions applicable to each custody grade, and the amount of cash, clothing, etc., to be awarded to State prisoners after their discharge or parole. The amount of cash awarded to a prisoner upon discharge or parole after being incarcerated for two years or longer shall be at least forty-five dollars ($45.00). (a1) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall adopt rules to specify the rates at, and circumstances under, which earned time authorized by G.S. 15A-1340.13(d) and G.S. 15A-1340.20(d) may be earned or forfeited by persons serving activated sentences of imprisonment for felony or misdemeanor convictions. Such rules shall include any person serving an activated sentence of imprisonment who is confined in a detention facility approved by the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety. (b) With respect to prisoners who are serving sentences for impaired driving offenses under G.S. 20-138.1, the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may, in the Secretary's discretion, issue regulations regarding deductions of time from the terms of such prisoners for good behavior, meritorious conduct, work or study, participation in rehabilitation programs, and the like. (c), (d) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 538, s. 32, effective January 1, 1995. (e) The Secretary's regulations concerning earned time and good time credits authorized by this section shall be distributed to and followed by local jail administrators and by personnel of the Division of Juvenile Justice or personnel approved by the Division of Juvenile Justice with regard to sentenced jail prisoners, including prisoners housed in a detention facility approved by the Division of Juvenile Justice. (f) The provisions of this section do not apply to persons sentenced to a term of special probation under G.S. 15A-1344(e) or G.S. 15A-1351(a). (1933, c. 172, s. 23; 1935, c. 414, s. 15; 1937, c. 88, s. 1; 1943, c. 409; 1955, c. 238, s. 6; 1979, c. 760, s. 4; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, ss. 43-47; 1981, c. 63, s. 1; c. 179, s. 14; c. 662, ss. 8, 9; 1983, c. 560, s. 3; 1985, c. 310, ss. 1-4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1086, s. 120(a); 1991, c. 187, s. 3; 1993, c. 538, s. 32; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(b); 2011-145, s. 19.1(i); 2014-100, s. 16C.1(e); 2020-83, s. 8(l); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(dddd).)

G.S. 148-18 Wages, allowances and loans.

§ 148-18. Wages, allowances and loans. (a) Prisoners employed by Correction Enterprises shall be compensated as set forth in Article 14 of this Chapter. Prisoners participating in work assignments established by the Division of Prisons shall be compensated at rates fixed by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction's rules and regulations; provided, that no prisoner so paid shall receive more than one dollar ($1.00) per day, unless the prisoner is performing work for the Division's BRIDGE Program or the Secretary determines that the work assignment requires special skills or training. Upon approval of the Secretary, inmates working for the BRIDGE Program or in job assignments requiring special skills or training may be paid up to five dollars ($5.00) per day. The Correction Enterprises Fund shall be the source of wages and allowances provided to inmates who are employed by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction in work assignments established by the Division of Prisons. (b) A prisoner shall be required to contribute to the support of any of his dependents residing in North Carolina who may be receiving public assistance during the period of commitment if funds available to the prisoner are adequate for such purpose. The dependency status and need shall be determined by the department of social services in the county of North Carolina in which such dependents reside. (c) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 233, s. 2. (1935, c. 414, s. 19; 1967, c. 996, s. 3; 1969, c. 982; 1973, c. 1262, s. 10; 1975, c. 506, s. 3; c. 716, s. 7; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 902, s. 5; 1993, c. 321, s. 175; 1995, c. 233, s. 2; 2007-280, s. 3; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (j); 2017-186, ss. 2(ggggggg), 3(a); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p), (r); 2022-58, s. 13(a); 2023-121, s. 10(a); 2023-134, s. 19C.3(a).)

G.S. 148-18.1 Confiscation of unauthorized articles.

§ 148-18.1. Confiscation of unauthorized articles. Any item of personal property which a prisoner in any correctional facility is prohibited from possessing by State law or which is not authorized by rules adopted by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall, when found in the possession of a prisoner, be confiscated and destroyed or otherwise disposed of as the Secretary may direct. Any unauthorized funds confiscated under this section or funds from the sale of confiscated property shall be deposited to Inmate Welfare Fund maintained by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. (1983, c. 289, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i); 2017-186, s. 2(hhhhhhh); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (p).)

G.S. 148-19 Health services.

§ 148-19. Health services. (a) The general policies, rules, and regulations of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall prescribe standards for health services to prisoners, which shall include preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures on both an outpatient and a hospital basis, for all types of patients. A prisoner may be taken, when necessary, to a medical facility outside the State prison system. The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall seek the cooperation of public and private agencies, institutions, officials, and individuals in the development of adequate health services to prisoners. (b) Upon request of the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may detail personnel employed by the Department of Health and Human Services to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction for the purpose of supervising and furnishing medical, psychiatric, psychological, dental, and other technical and scientific services to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. The compensation, allowances, and expenses of the personnel detailed under this section may be paid from applicable appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services, and may be reimbursed from applicable appropriations to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may make similar arrangements with any other agency of State government able and willing to aid the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction to meet the needs of prisoners for health services. (c) Each prisoner committed to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall receive a physical and mental examination by a health care professional authorized by the North Carolina Medical Board to perform the examinations as soon as practicable after admission and before being assigned to work. The prisoner's work and other assignments shall be made with due regard for the prisoner's physical and mental condition. (d) The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall adopt standards for the delivery of mental health and intellectual and other developmental disability services to inmates in the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. The Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services shall give the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction an opportunity to review and comment on proposed standards prior to promulgation of the standards; however, final authority to determine the standards remains with the Commission. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services shall designate an agency or agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor the implementation by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction of these standards and of substance abuse standards adopted by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. (1917, c. 286, s. 22; C.S., s. 7727; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1957, c. 349, s. 10; 1967, c. 996, s. 4; 1973, c. 476, s. 133; c. 1262, s. 10; 1977, c. 332; c. 679, s. 7; 1981, c. 51, s. 6; c. 707, ss. 1, 2; 1985, c. 589, s. 55.1; 1991, c. 405, s. 1; 1995, c. 94, s. 36; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i); 2011-266, s. 1.17(b); 2012-83, s. 61; 2013-360, s. 12A.12; 2017-186, s. 2(iiiiiii); 2019-76, s. 28; 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (p).)

G.S. 148-19.1 Exemption from licensure.

§ 148-19.1. Exemption from licensure. (a) Inpatient chemical dependency or substance abuse facilities that provide services exclusively to inmates of the Department of Adult Correction or offenders under the supervision of the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry of the Department of Adult Correction shall be exempt from licensure by the Department of Health and Human Services under Chapter 122C of the General Statutes. If an inpatient chemical dependency or substance abuse facility provides services both to inmates or offenders under supervision and to members of the general public, the portion of the facility that serves inmates or offenders under supervision shall be exempt from licensure. (b) Repealed by Session Laws 2023-7, s. 3.1(c), effective March 27, 2023, and applicable to activities occurring on or after that date. (2001-424, s. 25.19(a); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(jjjjjjj); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(eeee); 2023-7, s. 3.1(c).)

G.S. 148-19.2 Mandatory HIV testing.

§ 148-19.2. Mandatory HIV testing. Each person sentenced to imprisonment and committed to the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall be tested to determine whether the person is HIV positive. Each inmate who has not previously tested positive for HIV shall also be tested: (1) Not less than once every four years from the date of that inmate's initial testing. (2) Prior to the inmate's release from the custody of the Division of Prisons, except that testing is not mandatory prior to the release of an inmate who has been tested within one year of the inmate's release date. In each case, the results of the test shall be reported to the inmate. If an inmate tests positive for HIV, that inmate shall be referred to public health officials for counseling. (2013-360, s. 16C.15(a); 2017-186, s. 2(kkkkkkk); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p), (q).)

G.S. 148-19.3 Health care services to county prisoners.

§ 148-19.3. Health care services to county prisoners. (a) All charges that are the responsibility of the transferring county for health care services provided to prisoners held under a safekeeping order pursuant to G.S. 162-39, or the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program pursuant to G.S. 148-32.1, shall not be paid by the Department and shall be submitted by the health care provider to the Inmate Medical Costs Management Plan through the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association for the Plan to review and negotiate all charges for health care services to avoid overpayment and reduce overall health care service costs. The Department shall notify the health care provider when services are being provided to the prisoner that the invoice for health care services shall be submitted by the provider directly to the Plan. In the event an invoice is sent to the Department by a health care provider for health care services provided to a safekeeper under this section or G.S. 148-32.1, the Department shall forward the invoice to the Plan within three days of receipt. All unreimbursed charges for health care services provided shall be documented and presented to the county for payment in accordance with G.S. 162-39 or the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program in accordance with G.S. 148-32.1. Upon expiration of the terms of the order and a determination that the prisoner may be safely returned to the custody of the county, the Department shall notify the sheriff, or the sheriff's designee, by telephone and email and request the transfer of the prisoner to the custody of the county. (b) The Department shall update the medical services schedule of charges assessed to counties for the provision of health care services to county prisoners housed in the State prison system pursuant to safekeeping orders under G.S. 162-39 or the Statewide Misdemeanant Confinement Program under G.S. 148-32.1. In updating the schedule of charges, at a minimum, the Department shall consider the actual rate for services provided and current established Medicaid rates for respective services. The schedule of charges shall be updated annually and shall be included in the Department's policies and procedures. The Department shall assess charges to counties for health care services provided to county prisoners at all State prison facilities. (2019-171, s. 2(a); 2020-83, s. 9(a); 2025-25, s. 29(1).)

G.S. 148-20 Corporal punishment of prisoners prohibited.

§ 148-20. Corporal punishment of prisoners prohibited. It is unlawful for the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction or any other person having the care, custody, or control of any prisoner in this State to make or enforce any rule or regulation providing for the whipping, flogging, or administration of any similar corporal punishment of any prisoner, or to give any specific order for or cause to be administered or personally to administer or inflict any such corporal punishment. (1917, c. 286, s. 7; C.S., s. 7728; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 9; 1963, c. 1174, s. 1; 1967, c. 996, s. 15; 1973, c. 1262, s. 10; 2011-145, s. 19.1(i); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o).)

G.S. 148-21 Repealed by Session Laws 1963, c. 1174, s. 5.

G.S. 148-22 Treatment programs.

§ 148-22. Treatment programs. (a) The general policies, rules, and regulations of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall provide for humane treatment of prisoners and for programs to effect their correction and return to the community as promptly as practicable. Visits and correspondence between prisoners and approved friends shall be authorized under reasonable conditions, and family members shall be permitted and encouraged to maintain close contact with the prisoners unless the contacts prove to be hurtful. Casework, counseling, and psychotherapy services provided to prisoners may be extended to include members of the prisoner's family if practicable and necessary to achieve the purposes of the programs. Education, library, recreation, and vocational training programs shall be developed so as to coordinate with corresponding services and opportunities which will be available to the prisoner when he or she is released. Programs may be established for the treatment and training of prisoners with intellectual or other developmental disabilities and other special groups. These programs may be operated in segregated sections of facilities housing other prisoners or in separate facilities. (b) The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction may cooperate with and seek the cooperation of public and private agencies, institutions, officials, and individuals in the development and conduct of programs designed to give persons committed to the Division opportunities for physical, mental, and moral improvement. The Division may enter into agreements with other agencies of federal, State, or local government and with private agencies to promote the most effective use of available resources. Specifically the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction may enter into contracts or agreements with appropriate public or private agencies offering needed services including health, mental health, behavioral health, intellectual and other developmental disability, substance abuse, rehabilitative, or training services for such inmates of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction as the Secretary may deem eligible. These agencies shall be reimbursed from applicable appropriations to the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction for services rendered at a rate not to exceed that which the agencies normally receive for serving their regular clients. The Secretary may contract for the housing of work-release inmates at county jails and local confinement facilities. Inmates may be placed in the care of the agencies but shall remain the responsibility of the Division and shall be subject to the complete supervision of the Division. The Division may reimburse the agencies for the support of the inmates at a rate not in excess of the average daily cost of inmate care in the corrections unit to which the inmate would otherwise be assigned. (1917, c. 286, s. 15; C.S., s. 7732; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 9; 1967, c. 996, s. 5; 1975, c. 679, ss. 1, 2; 1977, c. 297; 1983, c. 376; 1985, c. 589, s. 55; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i); 2017-186, s. 2(lllllll); 2019-76, s. 29; 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (p).)

G.S. 148-22.1 Educational facilities and programs for selected inmates.

§ 148-22.1. Educational facilities and programs for selected inmates. (a) The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction is authorized to take advantage of aid available from any source in establishing facilities and developing programs to provide inmates of the State prison system with such academic and vocational and technical education as seems most likely to facilitate the rehabilitation of these inmates and their return to free society with attitudes, knowledge, and skills that will improve their prospects of becoming law-abiding and self-supporting citizens. The State Department of Public Instruction is authorized to cooperate with the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction in planning academic and vocational and technical education of prison system inmates, but the State Department of Public Instruction is not authorized to expend any funds in this connection. (b) In expending funds that may be made available for facilities and programs to provide inmates of the State prison system with academic and vocational and technical education, the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall give priority to meeting the needs of inmates who are less than 21 years of age when received in the prison system with a sentence or sentences under which they will be held for not less than six months nor more than five years before becoming eligible to be considered for a parole or unconditional release. These inmates shall be given appropriate tests to determine their educational needs and aptitudes. When the necessary arrangements can be made, they shall receive such instruction as may be deemed practical and advisable for them. (c) The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, in consultation with the Office of Human Resources, shall set the salary supplement paid to teachers, instructional support personnel, and school-based administrators who are Division of Prison employees and are licensed by the State Board of Education. The salary supplement shall be at least five percent (5%), but not more than the percentage supplement they would receive if they were employed in the local school administrative unit where the job site is located. These salary supplements shall not be paid to central office staff. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to include "merit pay" under the term "salary supplement". (1959, c. 431; 1967, c. 996, s. 13; 1985, c. 226, s. 1; 1993, c. 180, s. 8; 2005-276, s. 29.19(c); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i); 2012-83, s. 61; 2013-382, s. 9.1(c); 2017-186, s. 2(mmmmmmm); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (p).)

G.S. 148-22.2 Procedure when surgical operations on inmates are necessary.

§ 148-22.2. Procedure when surgical operations on inmates are necessary. The medical staff of any penal institution of the State of North Carolina is hereby authorized to perform or cause to be performed by competent and skillful surgeons surgical operations upon any inmate when such operation is necessary for the improvement of the physical condition of the inmate. The decision to perform an operation shall be made by the chief medical officer of the institution, with the approval of the superintendent of the institution, and with the advice of the medical staff of the institution. No operation shall be performed without the consent of the inmate; or, if the inmate is a minor, without the consent of a responsible member of the inmate's family, a guardian, or one having legal custody of the minor; or, if the inmate be non compos mentis, then the consent of a responsible member of the inmate's family or of a guardian shall be obtained. Any surgical operations on inmates of State penal institutions shall also be subject to the provisions of Article 1A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes, G.S. 90-21.13, and G.S. 90-21.16. If the operation on the inmate is determined by the chief medical officer to be an emergency situation in which immediate action is necessary to preserve the life or health of the inmate, and the inmate, if sui juris, is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated so as to be incapable of giving consent or in the case of a minor or inmate non compos mentis, the consent of a responsible member of the inmate's family, guardian, or one having legal custody of the inmate cannot be obtained within the time necessitated by the nature of the emergency situation, then the decision to proceed with the operation shall be made by the chief medical officer and the superintendent of the institution with the advice of the medical staff of the institution. In all cases falling under this section, the chief medical officer of the institution and the medical staff of the institution shall keep a careful and complete record of the measures taken to obtain the permission for the operation and a complete medical record signed by the medical superintendent or director, the surgeon performing the operation and all surgical consultants of the operation performed. (1919, c. 281, ss. 1, 2; C.S., ss. 7221, 7222; 1947, c. 537, s. 24; 1951, c. 775; 1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1981, c. 307, ss. 2, 3; 2003-13, s. 8; 2004-203, s. 53(a).)

G.S. 148-23 Prison employees not to use intoxicants, narcotic drugs or profanity.

§ 148-23. Prison employees not to use intoxicants, narcotic drugs or profanity. No one addicted to the use of alcoholic beverages, or narcotic drugs, shall be employed as superintendent, warden, guard, or in any other position connected with the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, where such position requires the incumbent to have any charge or direction of the prisoners; and anyone holding such position, or anyone who may be employed in any other capacity in the State prison system, who shall come under the influence of alcoholic beverages during hours of employment, or reports for duty under the effect of intoxicants, or narcotic drugs, or who shall become intoxicated, or uses narcotic drugs, under circumstances that bring discredit on the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction, shall be subject to immediate dismissal from employment by any of the institutions and shall not be eligible for reinstatement to such position or be employed in any other position in any of the institutions. Any superintendent, warden, correctional officer, supervisor, or other person holding any position in the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction who curses a prisoner under his charge shall be subject to immediate dismissal from employment and shall not be eligible for reinstatement. (1917, c. 286, s. 16; 1919, c. 80, s. 8; C.S., s. 7733; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1957, c. 349, s. 10; 1967, c. 996, s. 13; 1969, c. 382; 1981, c. 412, s. 4(4); c. 747, s. 66; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2012-83, s. 61; 2016-77, s. 8(c); 2017-186, s. 2(nnnnnnn); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p).)

G.S. 148-23.1 Tobacco products prohibited on State correctional facilities premises.

§ 148-23.1. Tobacco products prohibited on State correctional facilities premises. (a) The General Assembly finds that in order to protect the health, welfare, and comfort of inmates in the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction and to reduce the costs of inmate health care, it is necessary to prohibit inmates from using tobacco products on the premises of State correctional facilities and to ensure that employees and visitors do not use tobacco products on the premises of those facilities. (b) No person may use tobacco products on the premises of a State correctional facility, except for authorized religious purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, inmates in the custody of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction and persons facilitating religious observances may use and possess tobacco products for religious purposes consistent with the policies of the Division. (b1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person may possess tobacco products on the premises of a State correctional facility. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, an employee or visitor may possess tobacco products within the confines of a motor vehicle located in a designated parking area of a correctional facility's premises if the tobacco product remains in the vehicle and the vehicle is locked when the employee or visitor has exited the vehicle. (c) The Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction may adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section. Inmates in violation of this section are subject to disciplinary measures to be determined by the Division, including the potential loss of sentence credits earned prior to that violation. Employees in violation of this section are subject to disciplinary action by the Division. Visitors in violation of this section are subject to removal from the facility and loss of visitation privileges. (d) As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) State correctional facility. - All buildings and grounds of a State correctional institution operated by the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction. (2) Tobacco products. - Cigars, cigarettes, snuff, loose tobacco, or similar goods made with any part of the tobacco plant that are prepared or used for smoking, chewing, dipping, or other personal use. The term includes vapor products. (3) Vapor products. - Nonlighted, noncombustible products that employ a mechanical heating element, battery, or electronic circuit regardless of shape or size and that can be used to heat a liquid nicotine solution contained in a vapor cartridge. The term includes electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, electronic cigarillos, and electronic pipes. The term does not include any product regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration under Chapter V of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. (2005-372, s. 2; 2009-560, s. 1; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2014-3, s. 15.2(a); 2017-186, s. 2(ooooooo); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p).)

G.S. 148-23.2 Mobile phones prohibited on State correctional facilities premises.

§ 148-23.2. Mobile phones prohibited on State correctional facilities premises. Except as authorized by Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction policy, no person shall possess a mobile telephone or other wireless communications device on the premises of a State correctional facility. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, an employee or visitor may possess a mobile telephone or other wireless communications device within the confines of a motor vehicle located in a designated parking area of a correctional facility's premises if the mobile telephone or other wireless communications device remains in the vehicle and the vehicle is locked when the employee or visitor has exited the vehicle. (2009-560, s. 2; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2017-186, s. 2(ppppppp); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(p).)

G.S. 148-24 Religious services.

§ 148-24. Religious services. The general policies, rules and regulations of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Adult Correction shall provide for religious services to be held in all units of the State prison system on Sunday and at such other times as may be deemed appropriate. Attendance of prisoners at religious services shall be voluntary. The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall if possible secure the visits of some minister at the prison hospitals to administer to the spiritual wants of the sick. (1873-4, c. 158, s. 18; 1883, c. 349; Code, s. 3446; Rev., s. 5405; 1915, c. 125, ss. 1, 2; 1917, c. 286, s. 15; C.S., s. 7735; 1925, c. 163; c. 275, s. 6; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 9; 1967, c. 996, s. 6; 1973, c. 1262, s. 10; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i); 2017-186, s. 2(qqqqqqq); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o), (p).)

G.S. 148-25 Secretary to investigate death of convicts.

§ 148-25. Secretary to investigate death of convicts. The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction, upon information of the death of a convict other than by natural causes, shall investigate the cause thereof and report the result of such investigation to the Governor, and for this purpose the Secretary may administer oaths and send for persons and papers. (1885, c. 379, s. 2; Rev., s. 5409; C.S., s. 7746; 1925, c. 163; 1933, c. 172, s. 18; 1955, c. 238, s. 9; 1967, c. 996, s. 15; 1973, c. 1262, s. 10; 2011-145, s. 19.1(i); 2021-180, s. 19C.9(o).)

Source: North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov)URL: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_148.htmlFetched: 10/19/2026