Inmate
Inmate Attempts Escape on I-26 During Transfer Between South Carolina Prisons
By James Seidel | CC News Network
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina inmate attempted to escape from a moving transport van on Interstate 26 while being transferred between two of the state’s most notorious correctional institutions, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC).
🚨 31-year-old Sean Jarrett Tomsha caused significant damage to the transport vehicle, breaking a window and sticking his head out in an apparent bid to flee. However, corrections officers and West Columbia police quickly subdued him, preventing the escape.
The Attempted Escape on I-26
The incident occurred Monday on a stretch of I-26 in West Columbia, as Tomsha was being moved from Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville to Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia.
📌 What Happened:
- Tomsha kicked out a transport van window and broke the door hinges in an attempt to force his way out.
- Despite physically breaking parts of the vehicle, he failed to fully exit the van.
- West Columbia Police officers and Richland County Sheriff’s deputies assisted SCDC officers in subduing and securing Tomsha.
- No officers, civilians, or inmates were injured, and there was no threat to the public, SCDC reported.
By Monday night, Tomsha was secured inside Broad River Correctional Institution, and he is expected to face additional charges related to the escape attempt.
Why Was Tomsha Being Transferred?
Tomsha’s prison transfer came just days after the CC News Network had just named Tomsha as one of 11 inmates facing new charges for violent crimes behind bars, according to the SCDC Inspector General.
👤 Tomsha’s Record:
- He was charged with second-degree assault and battery for a March 7, 2024, attack at Kirkland Correctional Institution.
- According to court records, Tomsha lifted his cellmate off the top bunk and slammed him onto the concrete floor, before repeatedly punching him in the face—continuing the assault even after his cellmate was unconscious.
- The victim suffered a fractured cheekbone and multiple contusions.
📜 Tomsha’s Criminal History:
- He was sentenced to 8 years in prison in December 2023 after pleading guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in Spartanburg County.
- His projected release date was March 30, 2029.
Given his history of violence, SCDC determined a transfer to Broad River Correctional Institution was necessary.
Lieber vs. Broad River: Understanding South Carolina’s Maximum-Security Prisons
Tomsha’s transfer from Lieber Correctional Institution to Broad River Correctional Institution highlights the stark differences between these two South Carolina prison facilities.
🏚 Lieber Correctional Institution (Ridgeville, SC):
- Primarily a Level 3 (maximum-security) facility that houses violent offenders and death row inmates.
- Known for frequent inmate violence and gang-related activity.
- Holds a mix of general population and special management unit (SMU) inmates, meaning offenders still have some access to controlled movement.
🔒 Broad River Correctional Institution (Columbia, SC):
- A more restrictive Level 3 facility, designed for problematic or high-risk inmates.
- Houses inmates under tighter control, including those with a history of escape attempts, extreme violence, or serious disciplinary infractions.
- Shares its complex with Kirkland Correctional Institution, which serves as South Carolina’s primary intake facility and psychiatric unit for the state prison system.
Why Was Tomsha Moved?
- Tomsha’s violent history, recent assault, and escape attempt made him a security risk at Lieber, necessitating a transfer to Broad River’s stricter confinement conditions.
- Broad River has enhanced security measures, making it harder for inmates to plan or execute escape attempts.
What Happens Next?
🚨 Tomsha is now facing additional charges related to the attempted escape, which could extend his sentence beyond his original 2029 release date.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Despite breaking out a transport van window, Tomsha was unable to escape.
- He is one of 11 inmates facing new charges for violence inside South Carolina prisons.
- Broad River Correctional Institution is designed for high-risk inmates, making future escape attempts less likely.
💬 CC News Network will continue monitoring the situation and bringing updates on South Carolina’s prison system, inmate violence, and security concerns.
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