Behind the fence: A look at South Carolina’s prisons

Behind the fence: A look at South Carolina’s prisons

For decades, officials with the Department of Corrections have coped with a growing prison population amid budget cutbacks and staff shortages, particularly amid its prison guard ranks. Now, against the backdrop of an horrendous April riot that left seven inmates dead and multiple others injured, corrections chief Bryan Stirling says the agency is making changes, working to empty prisons of non-violent offenders and help those men and women become productive members of society. South Carolina’s effort mirror that of other states and the federal government working to end an era of mass incarceration.

T. Michael Boddie, Rebecca Brennan and Rachel Pittman examine the issues surrounding adult and juvenile prisoners in a four-part series.

 

Homeless No More keeps families together while helping them rebuild

At Homeless No more, families experiencing crisis find more than a place to sleep; they find stability, community and a chance to rebuild their lives. The organization operates two shelters: the St. Lawerence Place transitional shelter, where families can stay up to...

18th annual Greek Trick-or-Treat

USC’s Greek Village hosted its 18th annual Trick-or-Treat event on Tuesday, Oct. 28, welcoming families from across Columbia for a night filled with candy, costumes and community spirit. The event gives local children a safe place to celebrate Halloween while allowing...