COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - An inmate in the South Carolina prison system has died after contracting COVID-19, officials said.
The Department of Corrections said Gary Clifton Hamilton, 63, died Wednesday at an outside hospital after testing positive for the virus earlier this month. Hamilton’s death marks the the 14th inmate death associated with COVID-19 in the state.
The corrections agency said Hamilton had several underlying medical conditions.
Hamilton had previously been housed at McCormick Correctional Institution, where 36 prisoners and 12 staff members have tested positive so far. Across state facilities, 1,477 prisoners have contracted the virus, with 857 active cases.
Also Wednesday, prison officials said they were extending suspensions on visitation, volunteer, work-release and labor crew programs through the end of September. Inmates will continue to receive two free 5-minute calls every week.
Routine transfers between institutions remain suspended, and inmates are attending court and parole hearings virtually, according to a news release.
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