Officials with the N.C. Department of Public Safety say they are working to determine how an inmate escaped early Monday morning from its minimum-security unit at Piedmont Correctional Institution.
Correctional staff discovered Jonathan Dixon (0961900) missing from the prison’s minimum–security unit at approximately 4 a.m.
Dixon, 27, is serving a maximum of seven years for multiple counts of breaking and entering, among other charges. He was due for release in June 2017. He has family and friends living in and near Pitt County and may attempt to travel to that area, officials say.
Dixon was not on work-release and not outside the facility, located on 4750 S. Main St., but was within the prison, said Todd Pinion, director of the Piedmont Region, which encompasses Rowan County’s two facilities.
Rowan County has two prison facilities, one a miminum-security unit commonly referred to locally as the “low rise” and a medium security facility, the “high rise” at 1245 Camp Road.
Pinion said Dixon’s escape is under investigation and officials are working to figure out how he did leave.
He said the department has an escape protocol that they have deployed, which includes its fugitive squad, working with local law enforcement and other agencies like the Department of Community Corrections.
Pinion said they are working to have Dixon returned into custody of the N.C. Department of Public Safety.
Anyone who has seen Dixon or has knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact local law enforcement or call Piedmont Correctional Institution at 704-639-7540.