Exploring 20 Prisons in South Carolina: An In-Depth Guide

Welcome to this post where we will be discussing the prison system in South Carolina. Prisons play a vital role in our justice system, and understanding how they operate and their impact on society is crucial.

South Carolina has a complex and often controversial prison system that has faced scrutiny in recent years. In this post, we will explore the history, current state, and issues facing the prison system in South Carolina.

We will also examine the efforts being made to reform the system and improve conditions for inmates, staff, and the community. Join us as we delve into the world of prisons in South Carolina.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Allendale Correctional Institution	Allendale	1,756	Medium	Male	SC Department of Corrections
Broad River Correctional Institution	Columbia	1,756	Maximum	Male	SC Department of Corrections
Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution	Columbia	884	Maximum	Female	SC Department of Corrections
Evans Correctional Institution	Bennettsville	650	Close	Male	SC Department of Corrections
Goodman Correctional Institution	Columbia	840	Minimum	Male	SC Department of Corrections
Leath Correctional Institution	Greenwood	892	Medium	Female	SC Department of Corrections
Lee Correctional Institution	Bishopville	1,750	Close/Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
Livesay Correctional Institution	Spartanburg	740	Minimum	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
MacDougall Correctional Institution	Ridgeville	928	Minimum/ Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
McCormick Correctional Institution	McCormick	1,012	Close	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
Perry Correctional Institution	Pelzer	998	Close/Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
Ridgeland Correctional Institution	Ridgeland	1,192	Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
Trenton Correctional Institution	Trenton	1,006	Medium/ Minimum	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections
Turbeville Correctional Institution	South Carolina	1472	Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections
Tyger River Correctional Institution	Enoree, SC	1,266	Medium	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections
Wateree River Correctional Institution	Rembert	1,042	Minimum	Male	South Carolina Department of Corrections

Allendale Correctional Institution

Allendale Correctional Institution is a medium custody-level prison located in South Carolina. It opened in 1989 and is home to male inmates. The institution offers a range of educational programs, including literacy, GED preparation, and adult education.

Inmates also have access to routine medical and dental care on-site with 24-hour medical coverage. Allendale CI became SCDC’s first Character-Based Institution in 2015 and offers a plethora of programs and services to inmates in an effort to better prepare returning citizens for successful entry.

These programs include a faith-based program called Jumpstart, the Bee program which focuses on making honey, quilting, an addiction recovery program, an animal rescue and training program, the Cornerstone Education Improvement Program, and numerous other programs.

Broad River Correctional Institution

Broad River Correctional Institution in South Carolina opened in 1988 and houses male inmates with close and medium custody levels. The institution has a special mission to provide housing for the general population, medically dependent inmates, and inmates within the special management unit (SMU).

The Moultrie Unit houses medically dependent inmates that require 24-hour medical care, while the institution also accommodates deaf and blind inmates, as well as those requiring dialysis and sex offender treatment.

Broad River Correctional Institution provides facilities, security staff, and support to host revocation and parole hearings for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

The institution offers literacy and GED preparation programs, routine medical and dental care on-site, and 24-hour medical coverage. Industries operate two separate plants, including the Tag Plant, which manufactures all vehicle license plates for the State of South Carolina, and the Sign Shop, which produces signs, decals, nameplates, etc., for state agencies, counties, municipalities, and non-profit organizations.

The institution also provides various programs, such as Statewide Protective Custody, Residential Sex Offender Treatment Program, Religious and Volunteer programs, Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous, and Recreational services.

Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution

Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution, located in Columbia, South Carolina, has been in operation since 1973. This medium and special needs female facility serves as a major special management unit, housing female death row inmates and county safekeepers.

The institution has a special mission to house special needs women, ages 17 and older. Inmates have access to literacy, GED preparation, and high school courses, as well as vocational training in welding and office skills.

The facility’s apparel plant produces various articles of apparel for SCDC county-designated facilities and other state agencies. Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution provides routine medical and dental care on-site, including medical assessments for new inmates.

The facility serves as a regional medical center for pregnant, physically and mentally challenged, and disabled female offenders requiring 24-hour medical supervision. Inmates have access to religious services, volunteer services, pre-release classes, and other community partnership programs.

Evans Correctional Institution

Evans Correctional Institution is a medium custody level prison for male inmates that opened in 1989 in South Carolina. The facility offers a variety of education programs, including literacy, GED preparation, high school courses, and Adult Education classes.

Inmates also have access to routine medical and dental care on-site with 24-hour medical coverage, as well as a hospice program. Vocational training opportunities include computer courses (basic and advanced) and barbering.

The prison has a private sector industry where electronic components are assembled, and offers religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, Long-Term Offenders Program, and Character Education.

Additionally, Evans Correctional Institution provides an inmate labor crew to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and an Operation Behind Bars program for at-risk youth and adults to tour the prison and hear inmates describe what led to their criminal behavior and life inside prison.

Goodman Correctional Institution

Goodman Correctional Institution is a minimum-security prison located in South Carolina that has been operational since 1970.

It is exclusively for male inmates and provides a variety of inmate labor crews throughout the Broad River Complex, including facilities management, food service warehouse, canteen warehouse, commissary warehouse, vehicle maintenance and transportation, bus depot, prison industries, farm, horticulture, and grounds.

In terms of education, the institution offers Work Keys and GED preparation, while vocational training includes Small Engine School. Routine medical care is provided on-site with 24-hour emergency care available, and dental care is provided on the Broad River Complex.

Religious services, volunteer services, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous are among the programs available. Community services include providing inmate labor crews to the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Furthermore, the institution provides a correctional officer-supervised inmate litter crew that picks up trash along interstate highways.

Leath Correctional Institution

Leath Correctional Institution is a medium custody-level prison for female inmates located in South Carolina. It was opened in 1991 and provides a range of educational programs, including literacy, GED with WorkKeys, Pre-GED, and Horticulture.

In terms of industries, the prison has a private-sector plant that manufactures t-shirts and apparel for institutional use. The health care services provided on-site include routine medical, mental health, and dental care with 24-hour medical coverage.

The prison also offers religious services for all faiths, addiction counseling group therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous, anger management, creative writing workshops, job readiness, impact of crime, violence prevention, a character arts program, and a Braille production center for the State of South Carolina.

The Self-Paced In Class Education (SPICE) program is an 18-week faith-based initiative designed to reduce recidivism.

Lee Correctional Institution

Lee Correctional Institution is a correctional facility located in Bishopville, South Carolina. It was opened in 1993 and houses close and medium custody-level male inmates. The facility provides several educational opportunities such as literacy, GED preparation, high school courses, and college correspondence courses.

Vocational training in electrical, carpentry, welding, and dog grooming is also available. In addition, Lee Correctional Institution has various recycling projects for a private sector company and manufactures apparel, mattresses, and pillows for institutional use.

The facility provides routine medical and dental care on-site with 24-hour medical coverage and has a licensed infirmary and area mental health care.

There are numerous programs available to inmates such as Operation Behind Bars, PUSD ABE High School, Prison Industry Enterprise Programs, Better Living Incentive Community (BLIC) Character Unit, Addictions Treatment Unit, Long Term Offender Program, Jumpstart, Healing Species Rescue Dog Program, Beekeeping Program, Chaplaincy Services, Recreation Services, Mental Health Unit, CDL Training, Volunteer Services, and Hospice Program.

Livesay Correctional Institution

Livesay Correctional Institution is a minimum-out custody level facility for male offenders that opened in 1982. Its special mission is to provide an environment that promotes rehabilitation through work programming, pre-release training, and other relevant programs that help reintegrate offenders back into the community.

The institution offers GED preparation, Work Keys instruction, and routine medical care, with 24-hour emergency care available. Livesay Correctional Institution provides various programs such as religious services, volunteer services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, recreational services, and Jumpstart Reentry Programs.

Additionally, the facility has a Restitution Center on its premises, which is operated by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services.

Livesay Correctional Institution provides inmate labor crews to several organizations, including the Spartanburg Housing Authority, the City of Travelers Rest, and Spartanburg County Solid Waste. The institution also has a job development, placement, and financial responsibility work program.

MacDougall Correctional Institution

MacDougall Correctional Institution, located in Ridgeville, South Carolina, opened its doors in 1966 and serves as a medium and minimum-security facility for male inmates.

The Palmetto Unified School District/MacDougall High School provides a variety of educational programs for inmates, including GED preparation and testing, ABE (Adult Basic Education), and Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN) career readiness certificates.

Additionally, the prison offers vocational training in Carpentry, Masonry, and Auto Body Repair, with on-the-job (OJT) certificates in over 80 areas.

Inmates can also obtain nationally recognized industry standard credentials such as the National Center for Construction Education and Training (NCCER), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and Department of Labor Apprenticeship.

The prison provides routine medical care on-site with 24-hour emergency care available. MacDougall Correctional Institution offers religious services, volunteer services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, an alcohol and drug education program, recreational services, Impact of Crime classes, and a Re-entry Program to assist inmates upon their release.

McCormick Correctional Institution

McCormick Correctional Institution is a South Carolina state prison that opened in 1987. It houses male inmates who have been classified as close custody level.

The prison offers literacy and GED preparation classes, as well as other educational opportunities in conjunction with the McCormick School District Adult Continuing Education Program and Corrections Learning Network.

In addition to education, inmates can participate in a variety of programs, including religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, and alcohol and drug abuse education. The prison also provides routine medical and dental care on-site with 24-hour medical coverage.

McCormick Correctional Institution has a unique industry program where it produces upholstered furniture, modular office systems, and powder painting for metal products. The prison also offers a community service program called Operation Behind Bars, which allows at-risk youth and adults to tour the prison and hear inmates describe their criminal behavior and life inside prison.

Perry Correctional Institution

Perry Correctional Institution is a male-only prison in South Carolina that opened in 1981. The facility houses inmates with close and medium custody levels and offers literacy and GED preparation programs, as well as vocational training in carpentry and brick masonry.

The prison’s industry programs manufacture case goods for governmental agencies and schools. Routine medical and dental care is provided on-site, with 16-hour emergency care available. Inmates can participate in a variety of programs, including sex offender treatment, religious services, volunteer services, and substance abuse support groups.

The prison also offers a Pre-Release program, recreational services, assisted living, Impact of Crime classes, and the Character-Based Rehabilitation Program. Perry Correctional Institution serves as one of the video conferencing sites for parole hearings with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

The prison provides an Operation Behind Bars program for at-risk youth and adults to tour the prison and hear inmates describe what led to their criminal behavior and life inside prison. Additionally, up to 120 inmate workers are provided for various state, county, and municipal services.

Ridgeland Correctional Institution

Ridgeland Correctional Institution, located in South Carolina, first opened its doors in 1995. This medium-security prison is exclusively for male inmates. The facility places great emphasis on education, offering literacy courses, GED preparation, and high school classes.

Vocational training opportunities are also available, including small appliance repair and carpentry trades. In terms of industries, the prison runs a private-sector recycling industry that salvages fabric remnants. The health and well-being of inmates are top priorities, with routine medical and dental care available on-site around the clock.

A wide range of programs are also offered, such as religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Impact of Crime classes.

Additionally, the facility provides community services through an inmate labor crew that works with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, a litter crew that picks up trash along the interstate highway, and an Operation Behind Bars program for at-risk youth and adults to tour the prison and hear inmates describe their criminal behavior and life inside prison.

Finally, Ridgeland Correctional Institution serves as one of the video conferencing sites for parole hearings in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

Trenton Correctional Institution

Trenton Correctional Institution is a medium and minimum custody-level male prison located in South Carolina. It opened in 1995 and serves as a facility for young adult offenders sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act, those whose crimes do not qualify for YOA sentencing, and adult straight-time offenders.

The prison has a strong focus on education, offering literacy, GED preparation, high school courses, Title I and special education programs, as well as vocational training in welding, brick masonry, carpentry, and horticulture.

Inmates also have the opportunity to participate in the Inmate Packaging Program, which allows their family and friends to order various package combinations for shipment to the institution.

Trenton provides a range of programs, including multi-faith religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, Impact of Crime classes, Violence Prevention classes, dog fostering through Healing Species, and Pre-Release programming.

Additionally, the prison offers community services such as an Operation Behind Bars program and correctional officer-supervised work crews that assist with litter control along the state’s interstate highway system and maintain the Hickory Knob State Park Golf Course for the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Turbeville Correctional Institution

Turbeville Correctional Institution is a medium custody-level prison for adult male offenders that opened its doors in 1994. The institution specializes in housing youthful offenders sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act.

The Youthful Offender Institutional Services (YOIS) is a behavior and performance-driven program that provides education, work details, mental health services, behavioral health counseling, and substance abuse services. The institution has 928 youthful offender beds and 544 beds assigned to the adult straight-time population.

Turbeville High School provides educational opportunities, and vocational training is offered in carpentry and on-the-job certificates.

Routine medical and dental services are accessible on-site, and the institution provides physical and mental health care, religious services, and community services such as inmate litter crews to maintain the cleanliness of highways and Prideways.

Tyger River Correctional Institution

Tyger River Correctional Institution is a medium custody-level prison located in Enoree, South Carolina. The prison has two yards, with the Upper Yard opening in 1980 and the Lower Yard opening in 1983.

It is a male-only facility that offers educational programs such as literacy, GED preparation, and high school courses. Vocational training is also provided in carpentry, brick masonry, heating and air conditioning, auto body, and auto mechanics. The prison has a private-sector industries program that manufactures hardwood flooring.

Routine medical and dental care are provided on-site, with 24-hour emergency care available. Tyger River Correctional Institution also offers religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous programs, and a Self Paced in Class Education Program (SPICE).

The prison participates in community services such as providing a correctional officer-supervised litter crew who picks up trash along interstate highways, participating in the Adopt a School program, and providing an Operation Behind Bars program for at-risk youth and adults to tour the prison and hear inmates describe their criminal behavior and life inside prison.

Wateree River Correctional Institution (MI)

Wateree River Correctional Institution, located in South Carolina, has been in operation since the 1890s. This facility houses male inmates with a minimum custody level. The institution provides a variety of programs and services to the inmates, including agriculture, education, vocational training, health care, and community services.

Inmate labor is utilized for the Agriculture and Food Service Division’s 7,000-acre row crop operation, the new dairy which provides milk for SCDC and the Department of Juvenile Justice, and beef cattle operations located adjacent to the facility.

Additionally, inmates have access to literacy, GED preparation, high school courses, Construction Engineering Operations (CEO), the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), and routine medical and dental care. The facility also offers religious services, volunteer services, recreational services, and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Furthermore, the institution provides inmate labor crews for various community services, including picking up trash along I-20 and adjacent secondary roads, filling sandbags for use in coastal areas during hurricanes/floods due to storms, and various other services for local governments.

Federal Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville	Bennettsville	1,508	Low	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield	Edgefield	1,744	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Estill	Estill	1,002	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Correctional Institution, Williamsburg	Salters	1,056	Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons

Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville

The Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates situated in the state of South Carolina.

The facility is managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which operates under the United States Department of Justice. The prison also has a minimum-security prison camp located adjacent to the main facility.

FCI Bennettsville is located in the northeast region of South Carolina, and it is about 70 miles away from the popular tourist destination of Myrtle Beach and roughly 100 miles from the state capital, Columbia.

Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield

The Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield, is a medium-security federal prison located in South Carolina. The facility is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and is exclusively for male inmates.

The prison also has a satellite prison camp for minimum-security male offenders, which has a capacity of housing between 500 and 549 inmates. The camp also has a Residential Drug and Alcohol Program that is part of the prison reform and rehabilitation program.

FCI Edgefield is located near the South Carolina-Georgia border, approximately 25 miles north of Augusta, Georgia. The prison has been in operation since 1979 and has a total capacity of 1,744 inmates.

The facility provides various services such as education, vocational training, and counseling to inmates to help them successfully reintegrate into society.

Federal Correctional Institution, Estill

The Federal Correctional Institution, Estill is a medium-security federal prison for male inmates located in South Carolina. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which is a division of the United States Department of Justice.

The facility also has a nearby satellite camp that houses minimum-security male offenders. FCI Estill is situated approximately 50 miles north of Savannah, Georgia, 96 miles west of Charleston, South Carolina, and 95 miles south of the state capital, Columbia, South Carolina.

The prison’s primary mission is to provide inmates with secure, safe, and humane living conditions while also providing them with access to various programs and services that can help them prepare for reentry into society.

The facility offers educational, vocational, and psychological services to inmates to help them develop skills and knowledge that can help them successfully reintegrate into the community upon release.

Federal Correctional Institution, Williamsburg

The Federal Correctional Institution, Williamsburg (FCI Williamsburg) is a medium-security federal prison located in Salters, South Carolina. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and houses male inmates.

The facility also has a minimum-security prison camp for male offenders. FCI Williamsburg is situated in the town of Salters, which is approximately 90 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia.

The prison serves to house and rehabilitate convicted individuals in accordance with federal laws and regulations. The facility is dedicated to ensuring the safety of its staff, inmates, and the general public.

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