COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland County is attributing the arrest of seven jail employees to increased contraband mitigation efforts.
From Jan. 12 until Jan. 28, the Richland County Sheriff's Department has arrested multiple people who oversee inmates. The county said this is due to its latest efforts to crack down on contraband.
Tiffany Pastures said her godson, Narelius, is in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
After learning that seven jail employees were recently arrested, she said she feels relieved.
"It was very shocking because you wouldn't think that these types of people Officers are working in the jail. But it also lets you know how a lot of these stabbings are occurring in the jail. You've got officers allowing certain things to go on that shouldn't be, and they should be not working there and they should be held accountable for their actions," Pastures said.
Richland County leaders say the arrests come as a part of increased contraband mitigation efforts in partnership with the jail and Richland County Sheriff's Department.
"It's appalling to see the level of deception that individuals will utilize to compromise the security and safety of the facility and those who work and are cared for there," Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown said in a statement.
Each of the employees arrested was booked on charges of contraband or misconduct. Two employees arrested were from Allied Universal Security, a third-party company with a separate hiring process. The detention center hired the other five.
Richland County said its training and hiring process for jail employees. The county's public information office said all jail employees have annual training and recertification every three years.
They also have training protocols that educate officers on how to avoid improper relationships with inmates.
Richland County deputies helped with these arrests.
"Those that are employed at the detention center and decide to bring contraband into the facility and have sex with inmates will be arrested," Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a statement. "When they tarnish the oath they took, they will be treated the same as those that are inmates."
All seven employees have been arrested and charged, but the county said they are currently on leave without pay pending termination. The person to decide if they are fired or not is County Administrator Brown.