prison

Federal prosecutors say a supervisor who managed security at a South Carolina prison accepted more than $219,000 in bribes over three years and got 173 contraband cellphones for inmates.

We’ve interviewed a few companies over the years in the vertical farming industry, also known as CEA or controlled environment agriculture, which usually involves growing plants (mostly greens) in a controlled indoor environment. We recently learned that our next guest’s company was selected to install a vertical farm at a local prison, the first time this has been done onsite at a correctional institution in the U.S. Mike Switzer interviews Don Taylor, founder and CEO of AmplifiedAG in Charleston, SC.

We’ve interviewed a few companies over the years in the vertical farming industry, also known as CEA or controlled environment agriculture, which usually involves growing plants (mostly greens) in a controlled indoor environment. We recently learned that our next guest’s company was selected to install a vertical farm at a local prison, the first time this has been done onsite at a correctional institution in the U.S. Mike Switzer interviews Don Taylor, founder and CEO of AmplifiedAG in Charleston, SC.

A South Carolina woman who killed her abuser with a kitchen knife six years ago will continue serving her 15-year prison term after the state parole board denied her early release Wednesday.

Four inmates pleaded guilty Thursday to various charges for their part in the 2018 riot at Lee Correctional Institution that left seven dead and dozens injured.

The state grand jury has issued indictments against five South Carolina Department of Corrections officers for corruption and conspiring to smuggle drugs and cell phones into McCormick Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison.

Federal prosecutors say a South Carolina prisoner already serving a life sentence for murder used a cellphone to orchestrate killing another man. Authorities say 43-year-old Daniel Shannon was sentenced to a second life term for the latest death. Federal prosecutors say in 2019 Shannon was running a methamphetamine ring from prison and arranged to have a man killed who he thought stole from one of his drug runners.

Top state prosecutors are urging Congress to pass legislation allowing state prisons to jam signals of cellphones smuggled to inmates. The 22 attorneys general say in a letter Wednesday to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer that the devices allow prisoners to plot violence and carry out crimes. The letter cites a handful of criminal incidents the attorneys say were orchestrated by inmates using contraband cellphones, including a deadly 2018 South Carolina prison riot in which seven inmates were killed. Prosecutors want a change in a nearly century-old federal communications law that currently prevents state prisons from using jamming technology. Federal prisons can jam signals behind bars, although none do.

Lullaby Project "pairs new and expecting parents and caregivers with professional artists to write and sing personal lullabies for their babies, supporting maternal health, aiding childhood development, and strengthening the bond between parent and child," according to the program's website.The University of South Carolina School of Music, under the guidance of cello professor Claire Bryant, is now a partner in the program.

Cellist Claire Bryant released her debut solo album this month entitled, "Whole Heart" at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville where she teaches music to prisoners.