A fresh wave of charges has been brought against a group of South Carolina inmates at a maximum security prison, spotlighting the ongoing battle against criminal activities within the walls of South Carolina’s correctional facilities. These inmates, facing allegations ranging from drug trafficking to attempted murder, appeared before a judge early Wednesday morning following their indictment by a state grand jury.
Bryan Stirling, Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections, delivered a stern warning: “If you try to come to work at the Department of Corrections and you are corrupt you’ll be held accountable, and if you are incarcerated at the Department of Corrections and you continue your criminal ways behind bars via cell phones we are going to find you and we’re going to charge you with the crimes.” Stirling’s firm stance underscores the department’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and ongoing criminal behavior within prisons.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins, file)(Jeffrey Collins | AP)
Stirling was present at the Richland County court on Tuesday morning as several individuals faced bond hearings for their roles in these criminal activities. These arrests were the result of multiple investigations, notably codenamed Clean Sweep, Off Tract, and Sneaky Sticks.
Operation Clean Sweep
This operation led to charges against two inmates at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, accused of attempting to assault and kill another inmate. Additionally, a correctional officer was charged with smuggling contraband into the facility.
The Lee Correctional Institution, in Bishopville, S.C. Credit…Logan Cyrus/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Operation Off Tract
Targeting Kershaw Correctional Institution in Lancaster County, this operation unveiled a network involving current and former inmates, along with outside accomplices, engaged in drug trafficking and money laundering.
Operation Sneaky Sticks
This investigation revealed a system where correctional officers and inmates at Turbeville, Lieber, and Kershaw Correctional Institutions were involved in bringing narcotics and contraband into the prisons.
Addressing the Root Cause
Stirling outlined the multi-faceted approach being employed to combat these issues. This includes installing golf course-size netting around high and medium security prisons, implementing scanners at entry points, and deploying drone detection technology. Thorough background checks and training for new hires are also part of the strategy.
A critical challenge, highlighted by Stirling for years, is the pervasive issue of cell phones in prisons. “The root of the entire problem is cell phones. Corrupt people can’t communicate effectively without the cell phone, that’s why we’ve been fighting so hard,” he emphasized. Stirling is hopeful that these arrests and the prison system’s enhancements will deter further criminal activities.
“This is not just someone trying to smuggle in a little bit of stuff for fun on the weekends. This is life and death. This affects prison safety. It can destabilize the prisons and it affects public safety,” Stirling added, stressing the gravity of the situation.
Stirling also called for harsher penalties for correctional officers involved in such incidents, underscoring the need for stringent measures to maintain the integrity and safety of the prison system.
Stay tuned to Crime and Cask for more updates on this unfolding story and other significant developments in criminal justice in and around the Carolinas.