Once deemed a 'chamber of horrors,' SC prisons make strides in caring for mentally ill inmates
Charleston Post and Courier
SC prisons improved mental health care after a 2005 lawsuit, reducing solitary confinement and increasing staff.Summary
Following a 2005 class-action lawsuit exposing dire conditions for mentally ill inmates, South Carolina's Department of Corrections implemented significant reforms. These included hiring more psychiatrists (now 17 serving 17,000 inmates), reducing solitary confinement from 1,800 to 593 inmates, and establishing specialized treatment units. While progress is evident—such as better individualized care plans and family involvement—challenges persist in county jails, where mental health care remains inadequate. The reforms have transformed facilities like Kirkland Correctional Institution, where inmates now receive structured therapy and support, though systemic issues in jails highlight ongoing needs.
(Source：Charleston Post and Courier)