Senate lays groundwork for Corrections inquiry

COLUMBIA — The foundation of a state Senate investigation of the Department of Corrections into allegations of mismanagement, misconduct and other wrongdoings was set Thursday.

Sen. Mike Fair, R-Greenville, called for a series of hearings, scheduled to continue Aug. 20, after senators started reporting increasing complaints over the past 18 months.

"Suffice it to say the allegations cover a lot of issues," said Fair, who is chairman of the panel.

While the senators did not elaborate on the specifics of the allegations at the initial meeting, Assistant Senate Clerk Michael Hitchcock said legislative staff has interviewed 12 employees.

Their identities will be kept confidential unless they decide to testify because some have said they feared reprisal at work, Hitchcock said.

Legislative staff will provide the senators with a summarized report of the complaints for the August meeting.

In part, the subcommittee's findings and subsequent actions could help restore creditability in the department, which is in need of two new prisons that could each cost around $150 million, Fair said.

Likely, the Legislature would have to borrow money to fund new prisons, he said.

"The Senate must believe, No. 1, it's needed and number two that they're going to be good stewards," Fair said.

While the Corrections Department claims it's population continues to steadily grow, an analysis of the population shows its nearly 24,000-inmate population has declined in the past three years, according to legislative staff.

The subcommittee will take testimony, collect data from the Corrections Department and possibly recommend policy changes as part of the investigation.

Depending on what is uncovered, the senators also could request an investigation by the State Ethics Commission or a review by the Legislative Audit Council, which Fair said is probable.

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.