Citizens Academy Explores Operations of the Laurens County Detention Center

Citizens Academy participants receive a behind-the-scenes look at booking, inmate care, and daily operations inside the Laurens County Detention Center.

Last week, participants in the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Citizens Academy continued their behind-the-scenes look at local law enforcement during the program’s second week, shifting their focus from patrol operations to the Laurens County Detention Center.

After learning about patrol operations during the first session, the class gathered again at the sheriff’s office for a deeper look at what happens after an arrest is made and a suspect is brought into custody.

Deputy Josh Cogdill led the evening’s presentation, walking participants through the booking process, daily operations inside the jail, and the important role detention officers play in the criminal justice system. He was joined by Major Hampton, who oversees the Laurens County Detention Center, along with Captain Lawson, a member of the detention center’s leadership team.

Together, they provided participants with a detailed overview of how the detention center operates and the coordination required between deputies, detention officers, investigators, and the court system.

Cogdill explained that the sheriff’s office and the detention center are two very different operations. “The officers who work here have a job to do every hour on the hour,” he told participants. “There’s always something going on.”

From Arrest to Booking
Participants learned that all individuals arrested by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, the Laurens Police Department, and the Clinton Police Department are transported to the Laurens County Detention Center for processing. The facility also assists with certain cases involving nearby jurisdictions including Fountain Inn, Ware Shoals, and Presbyterian College.

Once an individual arrives at the detention center, officers complete the booking process. This includes collecting identifying information, taking photographs, fingerprinting, and running the individual through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. The national system allows officers to determine whether the individual has outstanding warrants in other counties or states.

If a warrant exists in another jurisdiction, that agency can request the individual be held until they are able to take custody once local charges are addressed.
Participants were also reminded that detention officers do not determine whether someone remains in custody. Bond decisions are made by judges, who determine whether a person may be released on bond or must remain in custody while their case proceeds through the court system.

Classification and Housing
After booking, detention staff determine where inmates will be housed within the facility. Officers conduct a classification process that includes a series of questions designed to identify safety concerns, prior incarcerations, and behavioral history.

The answers help determine the safest housing assignment within the jail.

Inmates also receive orientation materials and education related to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), a federal law designed to prevent sexual abuse in correctional facilities. Those who cannot afford an attorney are provided with an application for representation through the public defender’s office.

Medical Care and Daily Operations
Detention officials explained that inmates who remain in custody for more than 14 days must be evaluated by medical staff. These screenings help identify pre-existing conditions and ensure individuals receive necessary medications while incarcerated.
In addition to supervising inmates, officers coordinate meal service three times daily, manage laundry and facility needs, monitor housing areas, and address conflicts between inmates when they arise.

Court System and Jail Population
Participants also received an overview of how cases move through the court system.
More serious criminal charges are handled in General Sessions Court, while less severe offenses may be heard in Magistrate Court. Jury trials typically involve six jurors in magistrate court and twelve jurors in General Sessions.

Officials also discussed the impact court backlogs can have on detention operations, noting that some inmates remain in custody for extended periods while awaiting trial.
Drug-related offenses remain one of the most common reasons individuals are housed in the detention center, ranging from possession charges to trafficking cases.
However, officials noted that the overall inmate population has declined in recent years. While the facility previously housed around 250 inmates, the current population is closer to 180.

Repeat offenders also remain a challenge. Detention officials estimated that approximately 25 to 30 percent of inmates cycle through the system multiple times.

Seeing the Facility Firsthand
In addition to the classroom presentation, Citizens Academy participants were able to see several areas of the sheriff’s office property firsthand.
The group visited the fitness and obstacle course located behind the facility, which deputies use for physical training and readiness exercises.

Participants were also given a guided tour of the Laurens County Detention Center.

What they observed inside the facility was both similar to — and different from — what many people might expect based on television or movies. While the secure doors and housing units may appear familiar, the day-to-day reality is far more structured and professional.

The facility is very clean, organized, and well maintained, and the officers working there demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining safety, order, and proper care for those in their custody.
For participants in the Citizens Academy, the evening offered a deeper understanding of the work that happens behind the scenes after an arrest is made and the dedicated staff responsible for managing one of the most complex operations within the sheriff’s office.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy will continue in the coming weeks with additional sessions designed to give residents a closer look at the many roles and responsibilities involved in keeping the community safe.