South Carolina Department of Corrections

We are so proud that this partnership provides educational opportunities to the inmate population. Congratulations to this class for successfully completing their two-year course! #WeAreCorrections

For the second year, employees from Recruiting & Employment collected donations for Pine Grove Elementary School. Over 100 toys, games, and stuffed animals were donated to the school's Angel Tree Toy Drive. Thank you to our staff across the agency who are taking time to give back and spread the joy this holiday season! #WeAreCorrections

Musicians from the South Carolina Philharmonic performed an interactive winter concert for inmates at Camille Graham C.I. today in partnership with Arts Capacity. Arts capacity helps people in need cope with challenges and develop the capacity to experience change for good through the power of live music. #WeAreCorrections

Thank you to the South Carolina Baptist Convention and the many volunteers who helped put together holiday packages for 17,000 inmates. This has been a meaningful, annual Christmas tradition since 1976. We are grateful to everyone who donated their time and resources and came together to spread some holiday cheer this season. #WeAreCorrections

We are proud to celebrate Tyger River Mental Health Officer Jason Chittum as the Alston Wilkes Society Officer of the Year. Thank you to American Correctional Association President Denise Robinson & Miss South Carolina Davis Wash for sharing inspiring messages about the importance of helping incarcerated people, their families & children during the ceremony. Congratulations to MHO Chittum for this prestigious recognition! #WeAreCorrections

Another day, another opportunity to chat w/ our outstanding #recruiting team. We're networking @ Fort Jackson's NCO Club until 1PM. This event is open to the public, so stop by to learn more about the #SCcareers & great employee #benefits available. This is the time to be #thankful for a rewarding new career!

SCDC K9s Duke, Jag, and Mickey have received bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. These vests were sponsored by the organization and embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Vested Interest in K9s”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. was established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,794 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 pounds, and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org. Contributions may also by mailed to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718. Thank you to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for their generous donation to our four-legged team members! #WeAreCorrections

The dreary day doesn't stop our #recruiters from getting out in the community! We're networking at the National Guard Armory located @ 1225 Buff Road in Columbia until 1PM. Our #recruiting team is promoting the generous employee #benefits we offer. Don't let this weather rain on your parade & the chance to learn about the rewarding #SCcareers available.

A group of 16 inmates at Leath C.I. graduated from the first Persevere coding program as Full Stack Developers yesterday. This program teaches students how to code and guarantees them jobs as software developers, web developers, and other tech positions upon release. #WeAreCorrections #reentrymatters

Yesterday, Director Stirling & House Speaker Murrell Smith presented former SCDC Capt. Robert Johnson with a framed copy of H.4002. This law makes it a criminal offense for inmates to possess unauthorized, contraband cell phones in SCDC prisons and is punishable by additional time on their sentences. The legislation is named the “Captain Robert Johnson Act” in honor of Johnson, who was shot at his home in 2010 after inmates ordered a hit on him using a contraband cell phone.