Inmates Overpower Guards at Lieber

S.C. Department of Corrections reported that inmates overpowered two guards at Lieber Correction Institution near Ridgeville late Wednesday night. 

Authorities report that the institute is safe for the public now, but that inmates overpowered guards and stole keys at around 9 p.m. The prison is still on lockdown and likely will be for the next few days, according to department's spokesman Clark Newsom. 

Newsom said the two guards were not seriously injured, but were taken to Trident, treated and released. 

Lieber is a Level 3, male institution. In addition to a normal population, the institution maintains the Death Row for the entire state, according to the S.C. Department of Corrections.

Newsom said that surrounding law enforcement agencies aided the prison. 

Updated 4:30 p.m. Jan. 19 to add information from SCDC spokesman.