Newspaper's in-depth watchdog piece on worst U.S. prison riot in 25 years explains system flaws that led to it

A guard was trapped in a prison control room for more than eight
hours that night. (Post and Courier photo by Andrew Whitaker)

As states have built more prisons in rural areas and metropolitan newspapers have cut back their regional reporting, prison goings-on have probably gotten less attention, but  The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C., did an in-depth investigation into the worst violence in a U.S. prison in 25 years, showing how flaws in the prison system led to it.

Seven men died on April 15, 2018, at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville. The article by Jennifer Berry Hawes and Stephen Hobbs is accompanied by a detailed timeline, with background information, illustrations, photos, videos and audio from the riot.

To understand how two prisoners crossed paths and sparked the historic night of violence, "You must understand a crisis that prompted the mass transfer of men into Lee," the reporters write. "You also must understand the gangs among them that control violence, money and contraband — which is to say, power. And a door-locking system those men could easily defeat. And a security staff with little control. And so many hopeless, angry men." 

The paper also notes that no charges have been filed for the deaths and injuries, and that there has been little accountability or change in the prison system. It's a worthy read.