A former South Carolina prison nurse has been charged after authorities accused her of having an illegal sexual relationship with an inmate and helping him obtain a contraband cellphone.
Courtney Williams, 36, of Swansea, South Carolina, was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual misconduct with an inmate and bribery. She had worked as a nurse at the Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center, a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility in Richland County.
According to investigators, Williams allegedly had a sexual relationship with a male inmate who was under her direct care and supervision. Authorities say the relationship took place between March 30 and May 29 and involved messages, photos, video calls, and other digital evidence.
Officials allege that Williams used her access as a prison medical worker to communicate with the inmate and meet him inside the facility. Arrest warrants also claim that she helped provide him with an illegal cellphone, which was later used to exchange more than 1,000 messages.
Investigators say forensic reviews of Williams’ phone and the inmate’s phone, along with video evidence and witness statements, supported the allegations. Authorities also said some of the digital material showed the nature of the relationship, though officials have not publicly released the full evidence.
The case has raised serious concerns because medical workers in correctional facilities hold positions of authority and trust. Under prison rules and state law, relationships between staff members and inmates are prohibited because inmates cannot legally give consent to someone who has official power over them.
Williams reportedly resigned from her role with the South Carolina Department of Corrections in April after a misconduct investigation began. She later worked as a nurse with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice but resigned from that position earlier this month while under investigation.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections said the charges came after an investigation by its Inspector General’s office. Officials have not released the name of the inmate involved.
If convicted, Williams could face serious penalties, including prison time. Reports say the charge of first-degree sexual misconduct with an inmate can carry a sentence of up to 10 years.
The case is now moving through the legal system, and Williams is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Authorities are expected to continue reviewing evidence related to the alleged relationship, the contraband phone, and whether any prison procedures were violated.
The allegations have also renewed discussion about staff misconduct in correctional facilities and the dangers of contraband cellphones behind bars. Cellphones inside prisons can create major security risks, allowing inmates to communicate without monitoring and potentially coordinate illegal activity.
For now, the investigation remains ongoing, and more details may emerge as court records and official statements become available.
