One Year, Two Prison Closures in South Carolina

Saying fewer inmates are returning to the corrections system, South Carolina officials said Tuesday the state will close its second minimum-security prison in a year.

 

In a news release, Corrections Director Bryan Stirling said the agency would close the Coastal Pre-Release Center effective April 1. The 124 inmates there now will be moved to another facility, and Coastal's correctional officers will take jobs at a medium-security prison in Ridgeville, officials said.

 

The move is also expected to save money for the department. Stirling said that Corrections had been leasing most of Coastal's property from Charleston County and stands to save more than $450,000 with the closure.