Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and Level 5 Prisons In South Carolina

What are some Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 prisons in the State of South Carolina? We have made a complete prisons list with the level of prison they are.

Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and Level 5 Prisons In South Carolina
Level 1, level 2, level 3, level 4, and Level 5 Prisons In South Carolina

In South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, or SCDC is the governing civilian body that oversees the prisons present in the state. Currently, there are over 22 correction facilities that are operated and managed by SCDC spread all across the State of South Carolina.

To successfully manage all these correctional facilities, the SCDC employs over 4,500 educated and well-trained professionals tasked with different prison duties.

SCDC was formed in 1960 after it preceded South Carolina State Penitentiary when the then state government decided to put an end to abuses and criticism received by the inmates, medical professionals, and families of inmates that served under the South Carolina State Penitentiary.

SCDC has the motto of “Safety, Service, Stewardship” and over these years has served its goal largely by introducing inmate education programs and punishing any warden that uses force on inmates.

South Carolina Department of Corrections: Prison Profile

South Carolina, among other few US States, is often criticized for having a rigorous regime that actively incarcerates a huge number of the population. According to data released by the Prison Policy Institute, South Carolina’s incarceration rate is 678 per 100,000 people which includes immigration detentions, juvenile facilities, jails, and prisons. This number makes South Carolina’s incarceration rates stand out internationally and puts it on the top of the list when compared with other NATO founding countries.

At the moment, there are over 89,000 South Carolina residents that are locked up out of which the majority of them are locked within the State Prisons while a few are in Federal Prisons. While incarceration rates did decline from 2008 to 2014, they are once again on the rise, especially after the COVID-19-led pandemic. The majority of those locked are people of Black African descent.

Furthermore, South Carolina is amongst one of the 13 US states who did not implement policies that help with early releases and promote medical parole and parole. Ever since 2019, South Carolina released fewer people on parole in 2020 and 2021. The Correction Facilities of South Carolina are also among those that have not yet vaccinated over 60% of their incarcerated population.

This is why the Prison Policy Initiative has given a failing grade to South Carolina and has asked its people in power to bring about important changes. South Carolina authorities on the other hand have stated otherwise saying such policies are the reason why the crime rate in the State is controlled.

Prison classifications in South Carolina: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5

Unlike the common prison classification system within the United States of America, the South Carolina Department of Corrections uses a different metric. The institute has categorized its prisons within four different security levels. Each level is specifically designed with a well-thought Architectural layout and provides designated security systems, medical, educational, and other work-related requirements for the rehabilitation of the inmates.

The following is how SCDC has categorized its prisons:

1. Minimum Out Level (MO):

The Minimum Our Level or MO houses non-violent inmates who have to serve no more than 36 months. The main purpose of these units is to act as work and program-oriented facilities to prepare the inmates for their release back into the community. The architectural layout is open, having double bunks and open bay wards to allow possible inter-inmate communication.

2. Minimum Level or ML:

The Minimum Level or ML can be rightly compared with Level 2 facilities, where inmates can serve a relatively short duration. However, SCDC, according to its operational protocol, embarks on a higher level of security to ensure the safety of other inmates.

3. Medium Level or ME:

The Medium Level or ME are Level 4 type facilities. The housing facilities are cell type where double bunk beds are provided. SCDC conducts electronic surveillance and the overall level of security is quite higher.

4. Close Level or CL:

The Close Level or CL facilities are the highest security institutions which are architecturally designed in a manner allowing to securely keep the most violent offenders that are there to serve longer sentences.

Some of the offenders also include those who are condemned to death. SCDC closely monitors each inmate and supervises their movements and activities inside of the highly restricted institution.

List of Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 prisons in South Carolina:

The following are the 21 prisons that are currently operational in South Carolina under the surveillance of SCDC. Their classification is as follows:

1. Allendale Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO and Medium Level ME facility that houses over 1080 inmates.

2. Broad River Correctional Institute:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME and Close Level or CL facility. It also houses death row inmates.

3. Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level or ME facility exclusive for women inmates.

4. Evans Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level or ME facility and houses over 1324 inmates.

5. Goodman Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Level or ML facility and houses over 350 inmates.

6. Kershaw Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME facility and houses over 1403 inmates.

7. Kirkland Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Closed Level or CL facility that houses over 1707 inmates and 50 CL inmates.

8. Leath Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME and Closed Level or CL facility and houses over 968vfemale inmates.

9. Lee Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME and Closed Level or CL facility. After a riot in 1993, SCDC spent 43 million dollars to construct it.

9. Lieber Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Closed Level or CL facility and houses over 1488 inmates.

10. Livesay Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO, Minimum Level or ML and Medium Level ME facility and houses over 530 inmates.

11. MacDougall Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO, Minimum Level or ML and Medium Level ME facility and houses over 672 inmates.

12. Manning Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Level or ML facility and houses over 919 inmates.

13. McCormick Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Closed Level or CL facility.

14. Palmer Pre-Release Center:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO facility that houses over 292 inmates.

15. Perry Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME facility that houses over 972 inmates.

16. Ridgeland Correctional Institute:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME facility.

17. Trenton Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO, Minimum Level or ML, and Medium Level ME facility that houses over 719 inmates.

18. Turbeville Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level or ME facility that is designed for ages 17 and 25. It houses over 544 adult inmates.

19. Tyger River Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Medium Level ME facility.

20. Walden Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Out or MO, Minimum Level or ML, and Medium Level ME facility that houses over 694 inmates.

21. Wateree River Correctional Institution:

As per SCDC classification, this is a Minimum Level or ML facility that houses over 719 inmates.

I hope this article helped you understand and find prisons with Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 prisons in South Carolina.

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