The S.C. Department of Corrections is searching for an inmate who walked away from the minimum security Coastal Pre-Release Center in Charleston, on Monday. Vernon Edward Gardner, 42, was discovered missing from the institution about 12:30 p.m.

Apprehension efforts are underway for a minimum security inmate missing from Campbell Pre-Release Center in Columbia. David Edwards, 23, was last seen at his work assignment at the Columbia Farms poultry plant in West Columbia, about 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to Josh Gelinas, the communications director for the South Carolina Department of Corrections the search is on for a minimum security inmate who walked away from Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center, in Aiken. Patrick Frazier, 22, was confirmed missing from the minimum security institution on Wire Road at 11:50 p.m. Thursday. UPDATE: Frazier has turned himself into the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.

Escaped inmate Rayshawn James, who walked away from the minimum-security Palmer Pre-Release Center in Florence, S.C. on June 28, 2008, was taken into custody Tuesday night in Johnston County, N.C.

Columbia officials say prison inmates are flushing handmade weapons, underwear and various other debris down their toilets, causing a nearby sewer pump to break and costing taxpayers millions. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

South Carolina’s Department of Corrections has received a big boost in its efforts to get the Federal Communications Commission to allow it to jam cell phone signals within prisons. Corrections director Jon Ozmint announced Monday that 26 other states, plus the Philadelphia Prison System and the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, have signed South Carolina’s petition to the FCC. Right now, it’s illegal to jam cell phone signals. South Carolina’s petition to the FCC is asking it to make an exception for prisons. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter Robert Kittle has more.

SAVIN program keeps victims informed about offender whereabouts, other important information

The South Carolina Department of Corrections is running a multi-million dollar deficit, but it was able to buy 1,200 converter boxes and some new antennas to make the conversion to digital televisions. The switch cost $80,000. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

A South Carolina inmate who walked away from his job at a poultry plant in Dillon has been recaptured. The Corrections Department said 41-year-old James McCracken was captured around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday while hiding under a bridge near Galivants Ferry. They say McCracken left the Perdue Farms plant Tuesday afternoon.

Regularly scheduled inmate visitation at all S.C. Department of Corrections institutions previously halted because of the H1N1 flu virus will resume Friday (May 15, 2009).

The South Carolina Senate voted 32-14 Wednesday afternoon to pass a state budget that includes $350 million in federal stimulus money. It also requires Gov. Mark Sanford to request the money within five days of the budget becoming law, either by his signature or lawmakers overriding his vetoes. WJBF News Channel 6’s SC Capitol reporter, Robert Kittle, has more.

An inmate who escaped a South Carolina prison was recaptured on Mother’s Day, at mom’s house. The State reported that 26-year-old Dustin Fleming escaped from the Campbell Pre-Release Center in Columbia early Sunday.

An inmate who escaped a South Carolina prison was recaptured on Mother’s Day, at mom’s house. The State reported that 26-year-old Dustin Fleming escaped from the Campbell Pre-Release Center in Columbia early Sunday.

According to South Carolina Department of Corrections Communications Director, Josh Gelinas, inmate visitation is temporarily cancelled. Glinas says, “With the number of probable H1N1 flu cases on the rise in South Carolina, inmate visitation at the state’s 28 correctional institutions has been cancelled until further notice.“

South Carolina prison officials say they’ve captured an inmate who walked away from a work-release job last week. Corrections Department spokesman Josh Gelinas said 38-year-old Christopher Campbell was caught by police in Bennettsville about 11:45 last night. Gelinas did not immediately have details on the arrest.