2 charged in contraband investigation at Ridgeville prison

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A woman is facing charges after officials with the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) said she aided in bringing contraband items into a prison.

Jirah Shakanah Walker, 30, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, providing contraband to an inmate, and criminal conspiracy.

Affidavits show Walker drove a co-defendant, Lynetta McCloud Mitchell, to Lieber Correctional Institution and waited in the car while Mitchell brought a package containing tobacco, jewelry, and 85 grams of a substance that field tested positive for marijuana inside during visitation with an inmate last month.

Mitchell is the mother of that inmate, according to documents. She is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, providing contraband to an inmate, and criminal conspiracy.

Documents show Mitchell was caught by correctional officers during the April 7 visit. Walker’s involvement was based on recorded conversations with the inmate and electronic communication with Mitchell.