SC touts lowest US rate of prisoners who return to jail Officials say less than 22% of South Carolina inmates released in 2017 found themselves back in prison within three years. Author: Associated Press, Jeffrey Collins Published: 12:08 AM EDT July 14, 2021 Updated: 12:09 AM EDT July 14, 2021 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Prison officials say South Carolina now has the lowest rate of released inmates returning to prison within three years in the country, thanks to an in-depth and expanding program of job and life skills. The Department of Corrections says less than 22% of South Carolina inmates released in 2017 found themselves back in prison within three years. State prisons Director Bryan Stirling says that rate was 33% just before he took over the prison system in 2013.