Concerns surrounding Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center after jail riot

ABC Columbia is taking a closer look at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Richland County deputies reported a string of stabbings at the jail and more recently a riot and fire this weekend. 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – ABC Columbia is taking a closer look at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Richland County deputies reported a string of stabbings at the jail and more recently a riot and fire this weekend. This comes after the U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into the detention center saying there’s credible allegations the jail is structurally unsafe.  

Violence and riots are the worst possible outcomes for a jail says USC Professor of Criminal Justice Hayden Smith who has for 20 years studied corrections in various states including South Carolina. 

“They threaten public safety which is the ultimate goal of jails and prisons. So with Alvin S Glenn we’ve now got to the point where their basic functions are now being jeopardized,” said Smith. He also names what is typically the cause of jail violence. “Often you’re thinking about contraband and gangs. And there is competition over contraband or power within a jail or prison that is apart of the culture.”

ABC Columbia asked Richland County officials if the riot was sparked by a fight among prison gangs over turf and contraband. Richland County responded with the following statement:

“The disruption at Alvin S. Glenn Sunday initiated following a fight between two detainees. Unfortunately, there are detainees at the detention center and in detention facilities throughout the United States who create an unsafe environment for themselves and other individuals. There is a lot of unfortunate gang activity in our community and in most cases, this type of activity doesn’t stop because individuals are locked up.”

Smith names inadequate staffing as another cause of jail violence.  According to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, there are 120 detention officers and 32 supplementary staff bringing total staffing to 152. However, officials report the center should have around 250 staff members.  

“We have standards at the national level that need to be adhered to one of which is staffing the other is the physical environment: What is the food like in jail, what are the showers like, and what are the living conditions like?,” said Smith.  He says inmates often react with violence to poor jail conditions. 

Richland County released the following statement in regards to staffing, funding, and jail conditions:

“Richland County  implemented a comprehensive plan that includes a significant allocation of funding by county council. That funding is dedicated to improving the conditions and safety at the facility including our efforts to increase staffing levels with competitive salaries and significant facility upgrades. We are committed to providing a secure and humane environment for all individuals within our custody and those who are employed at the detention center. Our commitment to reform didn’t start with the announcement of the federal investigation but extends well beyond this particular review of the facility.”