• Former South Carolina prison worker Sharon Elizabeth Smith was arrested for allegedly smuggling “grillz” into a maximum-security facility.
• Authorities say the contraband jewelry, valued at $2,500, was intended for inmates inside Lee Correctional Institution.
• The arrest highlights ongoing challenges with corruption, contraband, and security breaches in state prisons.

BISHOPVILLE, S.C. (TDR) — A former South Carolina prison employee, Sharon Elizabeth Smith, 36, has been arrested after investigators say she attempted to smuggle grillz — jewelry teeth coverings valued at $2,500 — into Lee Correctional Institution, the state’s largest maximum-security prison.

The Alleged Smuggling Operation

According to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, Smith was apprehended in Bishopville after an internal investigation revealed her attempt to bring the flashy mouthpieces into the facility. Grillz, popular in hip-hop culture and prison black markets alike, are considered contraband because they can be weaponized, used as status symbols to control other inmates, and even conceal narcotics or razor blades.

Investigators allege Smith hid the items with the intention of delivering them to inmates at Lee Correctional. The contraband was reportedly intercepted before it reached its destination, though authorities have not confirmed which prisoners were involved in the scheme.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

Smith has been charged with furnishing contraband to inmates and misconduct in office. If convicted, she could face prison time herself, a stunning reversal for a woman once employed to uphold correctional security.

Lee Correctional’s Troubled History

Lee Correctional Institution is no stranger to headlines. The maximum-security facility, housing some of the state’s most violent offenders, has long been plagued by contraband smuggling, gang activity, and corruption scandals involving staff.

In 2018, Lee was the site of one of the deadliest prison riots in recent U.S. history, when fights fueled by contraband cell phones and gang rivalries left seven inmates dead. State officials pledged reforms, including tighter screening and better oversight of correctional employees. Yet Smith’s arrest underscores how easily contraband still slips through.

The Broader Contraband Problem

Contraband trafficking is not limited to weapons or drugs. Luxury items — from sneakers to jewelry to cash — often circulate inside prisons, fueling underground economies. Grillz, in particular, are a prized symbol of wealth and power. For inmates, possessing such items can elevate status and intimidate rivals.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

South Carolina has struggled with corrupt employees who exploit their access to smuggle goods. Recent investigations have uncovered officers bringing in everything from cell phones to tobacco, often in exchange for thousands of dollars from inmates’ outside contacts. Prison officials argue that underpaid and overworked staff are particularly vulnerable to these schemes.

Official Response

The Department of Corrections released a statement condemning Smith’s actions, emphasizing that contraband smuggling jeopardizes the safety of staff, inmates, and the public. “Every illegal item that enters our institutions strengthens criminal enterprises and undermines rehabilitation,” one official noted.

South Carolina Corrections Director Bryan Stirling has repeatedly lobbied Congress for help, particularly in allowing prisons to block contraband cell phone signals. He argues that smuggling operations are often coordinated by inmates already behind bars using illicit phones to direct associates on the outside.

The Human Element

Smith’s arrest also raises questions about how correctional staff are recruited and monitored. Advocates say stricter vetting, better pay, and stronger internal oversight are needed to prevent corruption. “When you don’t invest in your workforce, you end up with vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit,” said one prison reform advocate.

For now, Smith awaits her first court appearance. Authorities have not revealed whether other employees or inmates may face charges related to the case, though investigations remain ongoing.

A Persistent Challenge

The incident at Lee Correctional Institution is another reminder of the fragile line between order and chaos in America’s prisons. Each smuggling attempt, whether for drugs, weapons, or something as seemingly benign as jewelry, erodes that line.

If a prison built to house the state’s most dangerous offenders can be infiltrated with grillz worth thousands, what else may be slipping through the gates unseen?

Follow The Wayne Dupree Show on YouTube

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10