Bamberg, South Carolina (January 2018) –On January 3, 2018, Bamberg County hosted Robert Benfield, Risk Manager for South Carolina Association of Counties, for Inmate Supervision training. The training was open to all Bamberg County employees who may work with inmates or supervise community service workers.

Bamberg County Risk Manager, Doretta Elliot, organized the training for Bamberg County employees. Elliot said the most recent training was one of the best attended in recent memory. “Thank you all for taking time out of your schedule to attend this training,” Elliot told the attendees. “This training will provide essential information and skills needed to work with inmates, probationers, and community service workers.”

Attendees included 17 employees from various departments including Bamberg County Detention Center, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Solid Waste and Keep Bamberg County Beautiful. The two-hour training covered the basics of inmate supervision, restrictions for use of inmate workers, concerns to consider when using inmate workers, along with newsworthy situations concerning inmate workers from other South Carolina counties.

“Statewide rules are changing for the use of inmate workers,” stated Robert Benfield, Risk Manager for SC Association of Counties, “Bamberg County does not currently use inmate workers other than probationers and community service workers, but that may change in the future. Completing this training will improve safety outcomes for employees, residents, and inmates.”

Bamberg County supports continuing education and training for all of its employees. Eligible employees who attended this training receive continuing education credits through the SC Justice Academy.

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