Jocelyn Grzeszczak

At age 48, Harold Ancrum can measure much of his life in prison terms. Around a year in 1995 for carrying a concealed weapon, among other charges.

South Carolina has struggled for decades to care for the mentally ill defendants filling its jails and now risks falling behind other states with clearer consensus and strategies for tackling this growing challenge.

Anne Dickerson wishes the man who shot her would go to prison. A Nissan Versa drove up behind her in April 2020 as she jogged through

Some inmates refused treatment and medications, pushing them closer toward crisis, neglect and self-harm. They ate their own excrement, destroyed their cells, screamed through the night, and declined food and water. Some hurt staff or themselves.

Decades ago, South Carolina shifted patients from psychiatric hospitals to community treatment. The move has done little to improve their fate as lawmakers shortchanged them on resources. And jails became the new asylums.

Alex Murdaugh's criminal cases extend beyond the now-punted double-murder conviction for allegedly killing his wife and youngest son.

South Carolina's five Supreme Court justices pointed a unanimous finger at one person when they agreed May 13 to overturn the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh.

By Jocelyn Grzeszczak and Alan Hovorka jgrzeszczak@postandcourier, [email protected] of 5

Maye Jepson's heart broke when she looked out the window of her house and saw her 24-year-old son Jason lying facedown in the driveway, surrounded by police officers.

CHARLESTON — A gusty breeze and a few grey clouds didn't stop a crowd from gathering in Hampton Park to enjoy a patriotic Memorial Day concert.