COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the Captain Robertson Act Tuesday, making telecommunication devices illegal in state prisons.
Gov. McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette were joined by Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling, members of the General Assembly and other state agency leaders held the bill signing.
There is one exception to the law if the SCDC director authorizes the inmate to use a device.
“The use of contraband cell phones and other communication devices to orchestrate crime both inside and outside of prison has been a serious threat that has had devastating consequences for innocent people across our state,” said Gov. McMaster. “Thanks to the leadership of Director Stirling, we have made tremendous progress in shutting down these devices. Today’s bill signing builds on our success, further strengthening our prisons’ security and protecting our communities from these criminals.”
Gov. McMaster defined telecommunications devices as any device that “enables communication with individuals inside or outside of a correctional facility.”