North Carolina Republicans have launched an investigation into former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s 2020 decision to release hundreds of inmates early during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing new data showing 18 of those released prisoners have been charged with murder and nearly half have reoffended.
The probe follows a bombshell report revealing that of the approximately 500 inmates released under Cooper’s executive order, 235 have been rearrested for new crimes. The 18 murder charges represent the most serious failures of the program, which Cooper defended at the time as necessary to prevent COVID spread in overcrowded prisons.
State legislators reviewing the program discovered that many released inmates had significant criminal histories. The early release targeted non-violent offenders and those nearing the end of their sentences, but critics argue the vetting process was rushed and politically motivated rather than focused on public safety.
Republican lawmakers point to the timing of Cooper’s order, issued during the height of pandemic fears in spring 2020, as evidence of hasty decision-making that prioritized optics over consequences. The governor’s office maintained that prisons faced catastrophic outbreak risks, though North Carolina ultimately avoided the worst-case scenarios that drove the policy.
The 47 percent recidivism rate among early-release inmates significantly exceeds the state’s overall three-year recidivism rate of 32 percent, suggesting the accelerated release process failed to identify candidates most likely to succeed outside prison walls. Families of murder victims attributed to released inmates have begun speaking out, demanding accountability for what they describe as preventable tragedies.
The investigation will examine whether Cooper’s administration properly assessed risk levels before authorizing releases and whether adequate supervision and support services were in place for those freed early. Lawmakers are requesting internal communications and risk assessments that informed the decision-making process.
Cooper, who left office in January 2025 after serving two terms, has not yet commented publicly on the investigation. His administration previously defended the program as aligned with national trends toward reducing prison populations during the pandemic.
The political stakes extend beyond Cooper. North Carolina Democrats hoping to reclaim the governor’s mansion in 2028 now face questions about whether their party’s criminal justice policies adequately balance reform with public safety. Republicans see the data as vindication of their warnings that pandemic-era progressive policies on crime would produce lasting harm to communities across the state.
Key Points
- 47% of inmates released early under Cooper’s COVID order have been rearrested, far exceeding North Carolina’s normal recidivism rate
- 18 former inmates freed in 2020 now face murder charges, with victims’ families demanding accountability
- Republican lawmakers are investigating whether risk assessments were adequate and if the policy was driven by political pressure rather than public safety
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/05/roy-coopers-covid-prisoner-release-disaster-exposed-nearly/ – May 10, 2026
