Bishopville, South Carolina, December 3, 2025
A 37-year-old inmate, Mario Leven Harrison, died after being assaulted at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina. The incident, reported by the South Carolina Department of Corrections, is being investigated as a suspected homicide. Following the attack in a common living area, Harrison was transported to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death amid concerns about safety within the correctional facilities of the state.
Inmate Dies After Assault at Notorious South Carolina Prison
Bishopville, South Carolina
A 37-year-old inmate, Mario Leven Harrison, died following an assault at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville. The South Carolina Department of Corrections reported that Harrison was attacked in a common area of his living unit and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Monday. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. The incident is being investigated as a suspected homicide by the SCDC Inspector General’s office, in collaboration with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Lee County Coroner’s Office. No further details, including potential charges, have been released at this time.
Background on Lee Correctional Institution
The Lee Correctional Institution is a maximum-security facility located in Bishopville, South Carolina. It has a history of violent incidents, including a deadly prison riot in 2018 that resulted in the deaths of seven inmates. In 2023, Michael Juan Smith was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the riot, where he was convicted of stabbing fellow inmate Cornelius McClary, who died from 101 stab wounds inflicted by Smith and his fellow gang members.
Recent Developments
This incident follows a series of executions at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. On November 14, 2025, Stephen Corey Bryant was executed by firing squad, becoming the third person in the state to be executed by this method since its resumption in 2024. Bryant was convicted of the 2004 murders of three individuals during a crime spree in Sumter County.
Investigation and Community Response
The South Carolina Department of Corrections has initiated a thorough investigation into Harrison’s death. The community remains concerned about the safety and conditions within the state’s correctional facilities, urging for reforms to prevent further violence and ensure the well-being of both inmates and staff.
Related Incidents
In 2024, Freddie Eugene Owens became the first person executed in South Carolina after a 13-year moratorium on executions. Additionally, in 2025, Stephen Bryant was executed by firing squad for the 2004 murders of three individuals in Sumter County. Bryant’s execution marked the third use of the firing squad in South Carolina since its reinstatement.
Conclusion
The death of Mario Leven Harrison at the Lee Correctional Institution highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety and violence within South Carolina’s correctional facilities. Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and the community continues to advocate for measures to address these issues and improve conditions for all involved.
FAQ
What happened to Mario Leven Harrison?
Mario Leven Harrison, a 37-year-old inmate at the Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, was assaulted in a common area of his living unit and later died at a hospital on Monday. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. The incident is being investigated as a suspected homicide.
What is the Lee Correctional Institution known for?
The Lee Correctional Institution is a maximum-security facility located in Bishopville, South Carolina. It has a history of violent incidents, including a deadly prison riot in 2018 that resulted in the deaths of seven inmates. In 2023, Michael Juan Smith was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the riot, where he was convicted of stabbing fellow inmate Cornelius McClary, who died from 101 stab wounds inflicted by Smith and his fellow gang members.
What recent executions have taken place in South Carolina?
On November 14, 2025, Stephen Corey Bryant was executed by firing squad at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina. Bryant was convicted of the 2004 murders of three individuals during a crime spree in Sumter County. His execution marked the third use of the firing squad in South Carolina since its reinstatement in 2024.
What is being done to address violence in South Carolina’s correctional facilities?
The South Carolina Department of Corrections has initiated a thorough investigation into the death of Mario Leven Harrison. The community remains concerned about the safety and conditions within the state’s correctional facilities, urging for reforms to prevent further violence and ensure the well-being of both inmates and staff.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Assault leading to the death of inmate Mario Leven Harrison at Lee Correctional Institution |
| Location | Bishopville, South Carolina |
| Investigation | Conducted by SCDC Inspector General’s office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Lee County Coroner’s Office |
| Recent Executions | Stephen Corey Bryant executed by firing squad on November 14, 2025, for 2004 murders in Sumter County |
| Community Response | Concerns about safety and conditions within South Carolina’s correctional facilities, advocating for reforms |
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