SC to spend millions on netting outside prisons to curb smuggling

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina prisons will soon be fitted with netting as a way to prevent contraband from being smuggled inside.

The state’s director of corrections, Bryan Stirling, said the netting is 50 feet above the ground and will cost between $6 million to $7 million to install at all prisons.

The netting won't be able to stop a drone, but it will stop people from throwing bags, phones or other contraband over the walls.

"The netting is pretty tall,” Sterling said. “Some people say you can throw something over that, but you cannot get close enough to throw something over that. It will catch."

PAST COVERAGE

• 9 investigation uncovers prisoners using Facebook Live while locked up
• Convicted felon contacts Channel 9 from inside prison using contraband cellphone
• Smugglers using drones to deliver contraband to prisoners
• Justice Dept. hopes 'micro-jammers' will block inmates' cellphone signals
• 2 accused of trying to fly drones at Lancaster County prison
• SC officials: Illegal cellphone, drone aided inmate's escape

Channel 9 has reported on several inmates smuggling phones into South Carolina prisons, using them to post videos of fights and attacks to Facebook.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Mom of woman in double murder-suicide: 'Her children were her world'
• WATCH: Is snow heading to the Carolinas?
• Huntersville neighbors shocked after deadly officer-involved shooting
• FORECAST: Sunny, chilly Monday ahead of midweek snow chances
• Crowds gather in Charlotte to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Experts: Parents feed babies solid food too soon

Cox Media Group