
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
DOJ Finds Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Violates U.S. Constitution, Cites Severe Violence and Failures in Safety
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday, Jan. 15, that conditions at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. According to a DOJ report, the jail has failed to ensure reasonable safety and protect incarcerated individuals from violence, including stabbings, sexual assaults, and group attacks.
Application in Detention Centers
- The 8th Amendment protects inmates from cruel and unusual punishment, including violence, unsafe conditions, and lack of medical care.
- The 14th Amendment ensures that detainees, especially those awaiting trial and not yet convicted, are treated fairly and given due process.
When the DOJ cites violations of these amendments, it typically means that the conditions in a facility pose a serious risk of harm, violate basic human rights, or fail to provide adequate legal protections.
The prison was named after Alvin Sherman Glenn, who was a dedicated law enforcement officer who served at the Richland County Detention Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to his tenure at the detention center, Glenn had a distinguished 30-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Sergeant Major.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the gravity of the findings. “Incarceration in our nation’s jails should not expose a person to severe and pervasive violence like that in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Most people in the jail have not been convicted of any crime—they are awaiting hearings or trial dates. They have a right to be free of violence, threats, and sexual assault,” Clarke said. She added that the jail has a constitutional duty to protect detainees and expressed hope that Richland County will work with the DOJ to implement critical reforms.

Findings of Severe Violence and Safety Lapses
The DOJ’s investigation, conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), uncovered systemic issues that have plagued the facility for years. The report noted an alarming number of violent incidents, including at least 60 stabbings reported in 2023 alone. Officials cited ongoing security lapses and a chronic failure to protect detainees from harm.
“The conditions inside the Richland County jail are a matter of life and death,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “Individuals accused of crimes in Richland County should not face a death sentence before they ever see a courtroom. By addressing the remedial measures outlined in our findings, we believe this can change.”
Reported Deaths and High-Profile Inmates
In 2024, five deaths were reported at the detention center, further highlighting concerns about detainee safety. The facility currently houses around 965 inmates, many of whom are awaiting trial. Among the high-profile inmates is Raymond Johnson, who is awaiting trial on multiple felony charges, and Marcus Reed, a former state official charged with corruption.
Mission and Operations of Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center serves as the intake facility for unsentenced misdemeanor and felony detainees in Richland County, as well as an incarceration center for sentenced offenders. The center houses inmates in minimum, medium, and maximum-security environments. The county promotes alternatives to incarceration, such as community service and electronic monitoring, where consistent with public safety.
According to its stated mission, the facility aims to provide incarceration services that ensure public safety, institutional safety, and constitutional-level care for inmates. However, the DOJ findings suggest that the center has fallen far short of these goals.
DOJ Investigation and Next Steps
The DOJ’s civil investigation was conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina. Under CRIPA, the Attorney General is authorized to seek court-ordered remedies to eliminate patterns of unlawful conduct in detention facilities.
The findings released on Jan. 15 are the result of a civil investigation and are separate from any criminal cases brought by the DOJ. The department has invited the Richland County government to collaborate on reforms aimed at improving conditions at the facility.
Community Involvement
The DOJ is encouraging the public to provide additional information related to its investigation. Individuals can contact the department at 1-888-473-3201 or via email at Community.Glenn@usdoj.gov.
For more information about the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and its Special Litigation Section, visit justice.gov/crt/special-litigation-section. To report civil rights violations, complete the complaint form available at civilrights.justice.gov.
CC News Network will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates on any reforms or legal actions related to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
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Prayers for all staff, inmates and families of both entities at the detention center. May the rule of law and basic human rights be followed and restored.