Since 2000, 580 people were convicted of murder or manslaughter while on probation.

The N.C. Division of Community Corrections has allowed vacancies among probation officers to pile up in urban areas with heavy caseloads. They failed to convey to legislators the growing difficulties. And when they did ask for help, the legislature usually said no.

Community Correction head Robert Guy and Correction Secretary Theodis Beck both work for Gov. Mike Easley and have made significant financial contributions to his campaign. Beck held Guy's job for two years under form Gov. Jim Hunt.

Yet for the past decade, problems in the probation system simmered beneath the surface.

The arrests of Demario Atwater and Laurence Alvin Lovette in the killing of Eve Carson, the popular UNC-Chapel Hill student body president, were followed quickly by the news that the two had scant supervision while on probation.

Beck said his department should have paid more attention to the problems. (N&O)

State corrections officials today named new leaders in the Wake and Durham probation offices as well as a regional office after the arrest of two probationers on murder charges exposed mismanagement in the offices.

Diane Isaacs was named assistant chief for community corrections in a 21-county region that covers Wake, Durham and Cumberland counties. She had been serving as assistant interim manager for the probation office in Wake County and previously was a manager for a district covering Hoke and Scotland counties.

Margaret Brewer was named judicial district manager in Wake County. She will oversee a staff of 141 employees who supervise about 7,400 offenders. Brewer previously served as chief probation/parole officer in Wake County.

More after the jump.

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