Introduction

During the COVID‑19 pandemic, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper authorized the release of roughly 4,200 convicted prisoners. The decision, made through a settlement agreement with activist groups, has become a focal point of political controversy as Cooper now runs for the U.S. Senate. Critics accuse him of endangering public safety, while his supporters point to pandemic‑related health concerns.

Background and Settlement

In 2021, Cooper signed a legally binding agreement that required the state to release a minimum of 3,500 inmates. The settlement was presented as a measure to reduce the spread of COVID‑19 in overcrowded prisons. When the list of released individuals was later disclosed, it included violent offenders—rapists, murderers, and child predators—contrary to earlier assurances that only those with sentences ending in 2021 would be freed.

Political Fallout and Accusations

Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley has repeatedly claimed that Cooper “never explained” why the releases occurred, labeling the governor responsible for subsequent crimes. Whatley cites the case of DeCarlos Brown Jr., who was on the release list and later accused of murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light‑rail car. Whatley and other opponents argue that Cooper’s lack of a public apology to victims’ families demonstrates a soft‑on‑crime stance.

Reoffending and Public Safety Impact

Public records and media investigations reveal that nearly half of the released prisoners have reoffended. The New York Post reported 18 additional murders and more than 600 violent felonies linked to the cohort. A 2024 report from North Carolina’s Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission recorded a 48 percent recidivism rate for the 3,500 released under the settlement, higher than the 44 percent rate for the broader 2021 release batch.

Comparisons With Other States

Cooper’s actions contrast with governors in Colorado, Illinois, and New Jersey, where judges or legislatures ordered releases, and some governors resisted or blocked such measures. In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis opposed similar demands, while Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker retained executive discretion over inmate populations. North Carolina remains unique as the only state where the governor voluntarily entered a binding agreement to free a large number of inmates.

Conclusion

The release of 4,200 prisoners under Roy Cooper’s administration continues to spark debate over public health priorities versus community safety. While the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, the subsequent rise in violent crime and the absence of a clear, public explanation from Cooper have intensified scrutiny as he seeks a Senate seat. Voters must weigh the credibility of the settlement’s intent against the documented outcomes for victims and the broader public.