A microscope has been placed on Alvin S. Glenn Correctional Institution for months. In the past week, 7 Correctional Officers have been arrested for violations and charged with misconduct in office. But what of the other institutions within the State? It is difficult to believe that if these violations are happening in one, it is not happening in others throughout the State?
The real question is why are these violations happening, or being allowed to happen? Is it simply a matter of hiring the wrong people or is it more that the entire system is broken?
Most recently Wendell Shola was arrested for abusing an inmate while in handcuffs. As some may recall a similar incident occurred in Kershaw County. Where a Deputy assaulted a handcuffed individual while transferring him to the Detention Center.
Many believe that the lack of review and oversight by the people in charge of these facilities are to blame. Some believe it is a lack of training, while others believe its simply a broken system. No matter what the believe, the real question is how does it get fixed and how widespread is this issue?
If you search online for Correctional Facility Violations or even Law Enforcement Violations in the State of South Carolina you will be spending weeks going through reports.
Law Enforcement Officers have one of the most difficult jobs in public service today. They deal with the worse of the worst at times. But the old adage of “Protect and Serve” has been forgotten by many Law Enforcement Agencies today. This is mostly due to the lack of confidence in Law Enforcement from a divided society.
Law Enforcement has become a business with a very high turn over rate, not simply in South Carolina, but throughout the Country. Most officers today have some sort of degree in Criminal Justice, with very little real experience. Head of Law Enforcement Agencies have to concern themselves with budgets and memos instead of dealing with actual Department issues.
Correctional Officers are required to receive a minimal of 6 weeks training, shorter than actual Law Enforcement Officers, yet they deal with incarcerated individuals more than road officers. And there is no mental evaluation requirement for either in the State of South Carolina.
Mental Evaluations for Law Enforcement Officers has always been a debated issue on both sides of the room. Ranging from arguments that these evaluations would prevent unsuitable candidates from entering the profession, while others argue that these evaluations would hinder individuals from even applying for a job.
A WIDER SCOPE OF EVALUATION:
Alvin S. Glenn Correctional Institution should not be the only facility under investigation for the number of violations. Other facilities throughout the State should also be put under the microscope to ensure that all facilities are are complying with the law.
It is difficult to believe that if these incidents are only occurring within the walls of one facility, and not others as well.
How many complaints from inmates are ignored by staff, due to lack of concern? Are these the effects of the rising cost for inmates? A simple pack of Ramen Noodles has risen to the price of over $1.00 for incarcerated individuals, while at Walmart they cost a mere $0.25.
Has the business mentality of Correction Facilities overtaken the common sense of Operation? The State expects these facilities to run on a shoestring budget to bring a higher profit, while the cost of this are bad officers and dead inmates!