DOJ Report Exposes Severe Violence and Neglect at South Carolina Jail

Federal investigation finds systemic failures, chronic understaffing, and constitutional violations at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The DOJ report highlights pervasive violence, including stabbings, sexual assaults, and gang activity, at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County, South Carolina.
Investigators attribute the unsafe conditions to chronic staff shortages, with some jail wings left unsupervised for hours, leading to unchecked violence and contraband smuggling.
Structural issues, such as broken locks, holes in walls, and inadequate lighting, have contributed to the facility's dangerous environment, with detainees using damaged infrastructure to craft weapons.
The report documents severe underreporting of violent incidents, with some assaults and even inmate deaths only discovered through calls from outsiders or social media posts.
The DOJ has warned Richland County to address these issues within 49 days or face potential legal action, citing constitutional violations and the jail's failure to protect detainees and staff.