SC prison lawyer: Group hasn’t met burden of proof

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An attorney for South Carolina’s prison system says claims the agency has been mistreating mentally ill inmates are baseless.

Andrew Lindemann said in closing arguments Friday that attorneys for the advocacy group suing the agency haven’t met their burden of proof.

Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities sued the Corrections Department in 2005, saying mentally ill inmates weren’t given enough access to psychiatric care. The group estimates nearly 20 percent of South Carolina’s prison inmates are mentally ill.

Earlier Friday, an attorney for that group said prisons officials have been underestimating the number of mentally ill inmates in their system and don’t provide adequate care for them.

Judge Michael Baxley began hearing testimony in the case last month. It could be several weeks before he issues his ruling.