SC Dept. of Corrections Responds to Legislative Audit

COLUMBIA (Oct. 15, 2009) – The S.C. Department of Corrections has been reviewed or investigated in the past two years by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division, Clemson University, the 3rd Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the state Department of Health and Human Services, the S.C. Budget and Control Board, the S.C. Comptroller General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections.

Today, the General Assembly’s Legislative Audit Council released its report on this agency, making it the eighth entity in the past 24 months to scrutinize the state’s prison system

Collectively, these publicly funded organizations expended hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of tax dollars reviewing varying aspects of Corrections operations. Unfortunately, most of the reviews originated with a state senate investigation that was hijacked when a list of anonymous and false allegations was “leaked” to media.

Regardless of motive, today’s report confirms again that the employees of SCDC are doing a great job under difficult circumstances.

“We are gratified that eight reviews and this final LAC report reached the same conclusion about the original allegations: many did not even warrant a consideration and the remainder were false,” Corrections Director Jon Ozmint said. “Moreover, we are encouraged that two years of intense scrutiny of this large and complex agency found that this administration has improved public safety despite draconian budget cuts and rising inmate counts.

“And, we are pleased that multiple professional reviews - and years of inappropriate personal and politically motivated scrutiny - have revealed no fraud, no financial problems, and no mismanagement.”

The LAC’s final report contained 19 recommendations. Corrections already is in compliance with nine of the recommendations and hopes to comply with six more.

To view the final report and Corrections’ point-by-point response click here.