NATION South Carolina hospital wing becomes new inmate hospital

CHESTER, S.C. — A wing of an abandoned rural hospital in South Carolina’s Chester County has been transformed into a health facility for inmates that could start accepting patients, as early as next week.

The $3.3 million project by the state’s Department of Corrections over the past few years has fortified the new wing with prison bars, specially secured doors and cameras throughout the building. The move gives the state Department of Corrections a medical resource while at the same time saves a community hospital from disappearing.

The hospital, formerly known as the Chester County Hospital, provided care for the community for decades. But like many small-town hospitals, it was at risk of going out of business from a lack of staff and patients.