Plan to transfer sex offenders upsets community

The possible relocation of 67 convicted sex offenders to a minimum security prison in the Meadowlake Park area spurred about a hundred residents to voice their concerns Monday night.

The plan being considered by the state Department of Mental Health and the state Department of Corrections would shift the inmates from Broad River Correctional Institution, a maximum security facility, to Manning Correctional Institution on Beckman Road.

The inmates would be moved because of lack of space at Broad River Correctional, said W. Russell Hughes, head of the Mental Health Department’s Columbia Behavioral Health System.

“It’s kind of frightening to me to be placed in a position like this,” said resident Betty Martin, who attended the meeting, organized by Richland County Councilman Joe McEachern.

Hughes told residents he would relay their concerns about the plan to the leaders at his department He expects a decision will be reached as soon as possible. He said he also wants the community to be involved in the decision-making process.

For months, McEachern said he has tried to find out something more definite concerning the move, but has had no luck.

“We’re not getting answers from the state Department of Mental Health,” he said.

McEachern said he realizes the sexual offenders must be housed somewhere, but he feels Manning Correctional Institution is not the place for them.

“These are the worst of the worst,” McEachern said of the offenders.

Juliet Greenlee, who is retired from the Department of Mental Health, lives in the Stark Terrace community, not far from Manning Correctional Institution. After the meeting, Greenlee motioned to a nearby high school, elementary school and day-care center, fearing what might happen if the offenders move closer by.

“It would be nice to not have to fight to keep that thing out,” she said.

Reach Leach at (803) 771-8549 or leleach@thestate.com.