More than 560 inmates who were released early from North Carolina prisons under a COVID-19 era program were rearrested for new offenses within two years, according to data from the state's early release initiative.

The early release program was implemented during former Governor Roy Cooper's administration as part of efforts to reduce prison populations during the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative aimed to decrease crowding in correctional facilities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among inmates and staff.

The recidivism data covers a two-year period following the releases and tracks new arrests rather than convictions. State officials have not yet released comprehensive statistics on the total number of inmates who participated in the early release program, making it difficult to calculate an overall recidivism rate.

The early release program was part of broader criminal justice reforms implemented across multiple states during the pandemic. Many jurisdictions sought to balance public health concerns with public safety considerations as they managed prison populations during the health emergency.

Cooper's office has not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the recidivism figures or the administration's assessment of the program's outcomes.