According to a report by The New York Post on Thursday, June 25, 2026, a former South Carolina prison nurse has been charged with engaging in an inappropriate relationship with an inmate and allegedly smuggling a cellphone into a correctional facility, authorities have said.
Courtney Williams, 36, was arrested on Wednesday following an investigation into her conduct while employed at the Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center, a male correctional facility in South Carolina.
According to court documents and an arrest warrant, Williams is accused of maintaining an improper relationship with an inmate who was reportedly under her direct care and supervision for nearly two months.
Investigators allege that Williams used her position within the prison to facilitate contact with the inmate and arrange meetings with him while working at the facility. Prosecutors in Richland County stated that she “used official access and authority to facilitate the conduct,” actions that allegedly violated prison regulations and state law.
Authorities further claim that Williams smuggled a cellphone into the prison for the inmate, enabling extensive communication between the pair. Digital evidence recovered during the investigation reportedly showed that more than 1,000 text messages were exchanged between March 30 and May 29.
According to investigators, the messages contained personal and explicit content, while forensic examinations of both the inmate’s phone and Williams’ device allegedly uncovered videos, photographs and other communications that supported the allegations.
Court records indicate that evidence gathered from electronic devices, surveillance footage and witness statements formed a key part of the case against the former nurse.
The investigation also revealed that Williams resigned from her position with the South Carolina Department of Corrections shortly after concerns about her conduct surfaced. Local media reports indicated that her departure came while prison authorities were conducting an internal misconduct inquiry.
Following her exit from the corrections department, Williams reportedly secured employment as a nurse with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. However, she resigned from that role earlier this month while another investigation was underway. Officials have not publicly disclosed details regarding that inquiry.
Williams has been charged with first-degree sexual misconduct involving an inmate and bribery-related offences connected to the alleged introduction of contraband into the prison facility.
Under South Carolina law, correctional staff are prohibited from engaging in relationships with inmates because of the imbalance of authority and the security risks such conduct can create within correctional institutions.
If convicted on the charges, Williams could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Source: Opera News
