SC correctional officer charged after romantic relationship with inmate

A correctional officer at a South Carolina maximum security prison was arrested after authorities say she had a romantic relationship with an inmate. The South Carolina Department of Corrections announced the charge Thursday.

FULL STORY: SC correctional officer had romantic relationship with inmate, SCDC says

Here are key takeaways:

• Brittney Larhonda Hickmon, 34, of Camden, was charged with misconduct in office by the Inspector General for the Department of Corrections.

• 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.

• According to an arrest warrant, Hickmon communicated 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, according to the arrest warrant.

• Hickmon was fired from her position, and the charges could lead to fines or imprisonment.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.