SCDC Suspends Lee Warden Over DUI Arrest
The South Carolina Department of Corrections suspended Lee Correctional Institution warden Shane Jackson without pay after his arrest for driving under the influence.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
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The South Carolina Department of Corrections suspended Lee Correctional Institution warden Shane Jackson without pay after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Sumter County. SCDC Regional Director Stephen Duncan has taken over leadership of the facility while the investigation continues.
Why it matters
The suspension removes the top official at a state prison while the department reviews the matter, affecting facility operations and oversight across South Carolina. The circumstances surrounding Jackson's arrest have not been released.
The suspension was imposed without pay immediately upon the department's notification of Jackson's arrest, with no comparator figures reported. The circumstances of the arrest and the length of the suspension remain unreleased.
The players
Shane Jackson
Jackson is the warden of Lee Correctional Institution in Lee County, South Carolina, who was suspended without pay following his DUI arrest.
Stephen Duncan
Duncan is an SCDC Regional Director who previously served as warden of Broad River Correctional Institution and now leads Lee Correctional Institution.
South Carolina Department of Corrections
The SCDC is the state agency responsible for operating South Carolina's prisons and correctional facilities, including Lee Correctional Institution.
The details
Jackson, warden of Lee Correctional Institution, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Sumter County. Stephen Duncan, most recently warden of Broad River Correctional Institution, assumed leadership of Lee while the investigation continues.
Timeline
Shane Jackson was arrested in Sumter County for driving under the influence on the Thursday before November 2, 2026.
The department announced Jackson's suspension and Duncan's appointment on November 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
State corrections leadership changes like this one typically follow a department's internal disciplinary process rather than any broader shift in prison management. The move keeps continuity at Lee by placing an experienced warden from Broad River Correctional Institution in charge.
For South Carolina residents with family or loved ones in state custody, the leadership change at Lee may affect day-to-day facility operations and visitation routines. The suspension highlights how state agency personnel decisions can shape prison administration.
The takeaway
Public accountability for state correctional leaders depends on timely disclosure, so readers should watch for the investigation's findings and any official statement on Jackson's status.
Further reading
For more on leadership and personnel moves across state agencies, see People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPDE.
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