DOJ Investigates Abuse Reports at 2 South Carolina Jails
- The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation into two jails in South Carolina, the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center and the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. The investigations were initiated due to reports of violent and unhealthy living conditions, abuse of inmates by guards, failure to treat mentally ill prisoners, and the deaths of 14 inmates over the past few years, some of which resulted from the use of force and medical neglect.
- Sheriff Kristin Graziano, who oversees the Cannon facility, has defended the jail, suggesting that the criticism is politically motivated and that state officials failed to provide enough resources to handle mental illness. Meanwhile, officials in Richland County, which oversees the Glenn Detention Center, have acknowledged the need to improve conditions and claimed that they have increased staffing at the jail. The Justice Department will use “pattern or practice” investigations to determine if constitutional rights were violated, potentially resulting in reforms or lawsuits.
- Conditions at the Glenn Detention Center have been particularly concerning, with six deaths, two escapes, 16 confirmed reports of violence, multiple sexual assaults, and poor physical conditions including mold and vermin. The investigation into the Cannon Detention Center was sparked by the death of an inmate in 2021, Jamal Sutherland, who died after being forcibly extracted from his cell. In August 2022, D’Angelo Brown also died in the Cannon Detention Center due to severe dehydration after jail officials failed to provide him with adequate medication and treatment for his schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Justice Department Investigates South Carolina Jails Amid Civil Rights Concerns
After multiple reports of violent conditions, untreated mental illnesses, and guard abuse, the Justice Department opened a comprehensive civil rights investigation of two troubled South Carolina jails on Thursday. The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston and the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia have seen 14 inmate deaths in recent years, triggering this urgent investigation.
The investigation will scrutinize credible allegations that several of these deaths resulted from excessive use of force, medical neglect, and preventable inmate assaults. There have also been reports of unsanitary facilities, sexual assaults, overcrowding, and inadequate staffing. Assistant Attorney General Kristen M. Clarke emphasized that civil and constitutional rights do not disappear upon incarceration.
Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano alleged that criticisms are politically motivated, blaming the state government for inadequate resources to combat mental illness. Richland County officials acknowledged the need for improvements and have begun implementing changes, including increased staffing.
The Department uses pattern or practice investigations to identify potential constitutional violations within law enforcement agencies. These investigations, conducted in locations such as Louisville, Minneapolis, and New York, often lead to reform agreements or, in some cases, lawsuits. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has increased the use of such investigations during his tenure.
The Justice Department has prioritized its investigation in South Carolina due to potential life-threatening conditions. The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center has been particularly problematic, with six deaths, two escapes, numerous violent incidents, and poor living conditions reported since February 2022. There have also been concerns about delayed discovery of deceased inmates and infestations of mold and vermin at the facility.
An investigation was also prompted at the Cannon Detention Center after the tragic death of an inmate, Jamal Sutherland, who passed away after suffering from a severe altercation in his cell. Sutherland, who had mental health issues, was reportedly pepper-sprayed and stunned by two deputies, who were later dismissed. The incident brought to light the inadequate treatment and medication provided to inmates with mental health disorders, further illustrating the urgent need for reform in these detention centers.
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