N.C. Gen. Stat. § 148-53

For the purpose of investigating the cases of prisoners, the Division of Community Supervision and Reentry of the Department of Adult Correction is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint an adequate staff of competent investigators, particularly qualified for such work, with such reasonable clerical assistance as may be required, who shall, under the rules and regulations duly adopted by the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission, investigate all cases designated by it, investigate cases of prisoners eligible for post-release supervision, and otherwise aid the Commission in passing upon the question of the parole and post-release supervision of prisoners, to the end that every prisoner in the custodial care of the State may receive full, fair, and just consideration.