(A) If an inspection under this chapter discloses that a local confinement facility does not meet the minimum standards established by the South Carolina Association of Counties and adopted by the Department of Corrections, or the appropriate fire and health codes and regulations, or both, the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections shall notify the governing body of the political subdivision responsible for the local confinement facility. The governing body promptly shall meet to consider the inspection reports, and the inspection personnel shall appear, if requested, to advise and consult concerning appropriate corrective action. The governing body shall initiate appropriate corrective action within ninety days or may voluntarily close the local confinement facility or objectionable portion thereof. (B) If the governing body fails to initiate corrective action within ninety days after receipt of the reports of the inspections, or fails to correct the disclosed conditions, the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections may order that the local confinement facility, or objectionable portion thereof, be closed at such time as the order may designate. However, if the director determines that the public interest is served by permitting the facility to remain open, he may stipulate actions to avoid or delay closing the facility. The governing body and the resident or presiding judge of the judicial circuit shall be notified by certified mail of the director's order closing a local confinement facility. (C) The governing body has the right to appeal the director's order to the resident or presiding judge of the circuit in which the facility is located. Notice of the intention to appeal shall be given by certified mail to the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections and to the resident or presiding judge within fifteen days after receipt of the director's order. The right of appeal is waived if notice is not given as provided in this section. (D) The appeal must be heard before the resident or presiding judge of the circuit who shall give reasonable notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing to the Director of the South Carolina Department of Corrections and the governing body concerned. The hearing must be conducted without a jury in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Circuit Court. The Department of Corrections, the governing body concerned, other responsible local officials, and fire and health inspection personnel have a right to be present at the hearing and present evidence which the court deems appropriate to determine whether the local confinement facility met the required minimum standards, or appropriate fire and health codes and regulations, or both, on the date of the last inspection. The court may affirm, reverse, or modify the director's order. Effect of Amendment The 2010 amendment rewrote the section.
