CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. — A seventh employee at the Chesterfield County Jail has been fired following an inmate death over the summer. The termination comes as voters approved a sales tax initiative to construct a new $50 million detention facility.
The existing Chesterfield County Jail is approximately 50 years old and has experienced long-standing operational issues.
State officials noted that many internal lock mechanisms are too old to maintain properly, contributing to multiple inmate escapes and security failures in recent years.
Seven detention center employees, including the former director, have now been fired in connection with the inmate death over the summer.
The announcement follows a recent contraband investigation at the facility, where officers uncovered illegal cellphones, drugs, and weapons. Authorities reported the contraband was funneled into the jail by a food service worker and distributed by an inmate.
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The facility has faced security breaches over the past three years. In the summer of 2023, a murder suspect slipped through window bars before investigators captured him nearby hours later.
Two years ago, four inmates kicked down a door and escaped, taking hours for staff to notice. In the most recent incident, an inmate used a pencil to pop a lock.
Voters approved the sales tax referendum with 72% support, though some residents opposed the tax increase.
Kathryn Purvis, a local voter, voted against the measure. “I live on a fixed income, and I pay enough taxes as it is,” Purvis said. “We need it, but I just don’t want to pay for it.”
Voters also elected James Dixon as sheriff to replace current Sheriff Cambo Streater next year. Dixon, who previously served as sheriff in the county, said he looks forward to overseeing the jail project.
“They can go ahead and build the jail within the next few years,” Dixon said. “So that’s some of the priorities for me to make sure those things are taken care of and making sure the citizens of Chester County are safe and taken care of also.”
Dixon said he will give the newly appointed jail director time to implement management changes. An official noted meeting with the director following his appointment.
“We’ve met and shaken hands, and I told him congratulations,” the official said. “I’m going to give him a chance. Maybe he’s that one that gets the movement in the right direction. He comes with a long line of experience and leadership. He might be that one.”
Jail facility challenges extend across neighboring communities in the region. Union County voters rejected a property tax increase intended to replace their jail, which was built in 1994 and faces overcrowding.
In Mecklenburg County, officials reopened Jail North this year to address overcrowding, housing at least 209 inmates while continuing to manage staffing shortages.
Chesterfield County officials expect to have an architect in place for the new jail project by the end of December. Collection of the new sales tax will begin in May.