COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Richland County Jail saw three different stabbing incidents in one week.
The Department of Justice says these events will all be taken into account as they continue their investigation.
Back in November the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina announced that they were launching a federal civil rights investigation into Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Now, after three different stabbing incidents in the jail, taking place on January 2, 3, and 7, with a total of five victims, the Department of Justice says they will be using these incidents as data points in their investigation.
The organization sent News 19 this statement Monday saying, “The DOJ civil investigation is a 'pattern and practice' investigation that looks at systemic issues. Our investigation will examine whether the Alvin s. Glenn Detention Center is engaging in a pattern or practice of violating the constitutional rights of individuals housed in the detention center by failing to provide constitutional living conditions and failing to protect incarcerated individuals from harm due to violence by other incarcerated individuals, so the assaults... mentioned would be reviewed from that perspective. Any criminal charges in these cases, which would be prosecuted by RCSD/5th Circuit Solicitor unless there is federal nexus, would be separate from our civil investigation.”
Weeks after the Department of Justice announced an investigation Richland County launched an internal investigation hiring the Wyche law firm and Maynard Nexen to work with the Department of Justice.
Attorney, Mark Moore with Maynard Nexen is helping with the investigation and says, “As the county has announced in a press release, they have hired Wyche and Maynard Nexen to represent the county in connection with the Department of Justice’s civil inquiry into conditions at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center as a part of that representation we intend to conduct our own privileged internal investigation. Our representation is ongoing.”
News 19 also reached out to Richland County for further comment on the past week of violence but were told the county's leadership had no comment, and that they do not condone violence on any level.
The Department of Justice also shared a specific email address and phone number, for those wanting to report any experiences that should be noted as part of its investigation.
To share a story or experience, email Community.Glenn@usdoj.gov or call (888) 473-3201.