South Carolina General Assembly122nd Session, 2017-2018

H. 5328

STATUS INFORMATION

House ResolutionSponsors: Reps. Gilliard and Robinson-SimpsonDocument Path: l:\council\bills\gt\5509cm18.docx

Introduced in the House on April 26, 2018Currently residing in the House Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions

Summary: Lee Correctional Institution Riot Investigation

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date Body Action Description with journal page number 4/26/2018 House Introduced (House Journal - page 81 )4/26/2018 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial Resolutions (House

Journal - page 81 )

View the latest legislative information at the website

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

4/26/2018

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A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO REQUEST THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA OPEN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACTIVITIES THAT LED TO AND RESULTED IN THE RIOT AND LOSS OF LIFE THAT OCCURRED AT THE LEE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ON APRIL 15, 2018, VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW AND PROSECUTE THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED FEDERAL LAW.

Whereas, Lee Correctional Institution is a South Carolina Department of Corrections state prison for men located in Bishopville; and

Whereas, it is the largest maximum security prison for male inmates in the state prison system; and

Whereas, it has been characterized as the state’s most dangerous facility. Inmates took over portions of the prison twice between April 2012 and February 2013. In the four years prior to September 2012, the facility was the scene of three hostage situations and four uncontrolled fights; and

Whereas, on April 15, 2018, seven inmates were killed in numerous “inmate versus inmate” fights. It reportedly was the deadliest prison riot in the United States in the past twenty-five years; and

Whereas, according to Governor Henry McMaster, the April 15, 2018, uprising was coordinated through cell phones thrown over the prison wall or delivered by drones or other means into the prison yard; and

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Whereas, the use of cell phones by inmates allows the coordination of activities such as riots inside prisons, and allows inmates to direct and participate in criminal activities outside of the prison walls; and

Whereas, the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina is the chief federal law enforcement officer in this State who prosecutes a wide range of criminal activities, including violent crime, complex financial and bank fraud, counterfeiting, computer fraud, organized crime, and other illegal activity; and

Whereas, if such illegal activity occurred at the Bishopville facility, it should be investigated by the United States Attorney to determine whether federal laws were violated and criminal prosecutions should be undertaken to bring the perpetrators of those crimes to justice. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, request the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina open a criminal investigation to determine whether the activities that led to and resulted in the riot and loss of life that occurred at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, on April 15, 2018, violated federal law and prosecute those persons who are found to have violated federal law.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina.

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