SC correctional officer had romantic relationship with inmate, SCDC says

A correctional officer at a maximum security prison was arrested after engaging in a romantic relationship with an inmate, the South Carolina Department of Corrections announced Thursday.

The Inspector General for the Department of Corrections charged Brittney Larhonda Hickmon, 34, of Camden, with misconduct in office, according to a news release.

According to an arrest warrant, Hickmon worked as a sworn correctional officer at Lee Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison in Bishopville between Jan. 22, 2024 and Aug. 21, 2025.

She was in a romantic relationship with an inmate while she was still employed there.

Hickmon, according the arrest warrant, was communicating with the inmate on an illegal contraband cellphone, which she failed to report. She also sent him money. Her failure to report the device broke the law, and violated her sworn oath.

She was fired, according to a news release.

The charges could lead to fines or imprisonment,

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.