FOIA Log Request (Department of Corrections)

Ms. Dale,

SCDC received your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on June 21, 2018. I have forwarded your request to the appropriate records custodians to obtain the requested documents. While SCDC has documents that may be responsive to your request, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Section 30-4-10, et seq. defines public records that are subject to disclosure and also enumerates matters that are exempt from disclosure. The following exemptions apply: records that contain information of a personal nature as defined in 30-4-40(a)(2), records of law enforcement and public safety agencies (to include SCDC) compiled in the process of detecting and investigating a crime as defined in 30-4-40(a)(3) and its subsections, and correspondence and other work products of legal counsel and any other material that would violate the attorney-client or attorney work product privileges as outlined in 30-4-40(a)(7). Please note that medical records and all "other records which by law are required to be closed to the public" are not available through FOIA as stated in 30-4-20(c). Additionally, documents that contain information regarding SCDC security plans and devices are not available through FOIA as is stated in 30-4-20(c). Requested records that are subject to FOIA and not exempt will be provided once copied. Please note, SCDC may require a deposit and will charge a fee as permitted by 30-4-30(b) for all record production. This serves as the final opinion of SCDC on the public availability of the records you have requested as required by 30-4-30(c). However, please note that, as allowed by 30-4-30(c), redactions may be made pursuant to additional exemptions. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SC Code Ann § 30-4-30(B) allows us to charge for "search, retrieval, and redaction" of records responsive to FOIA requests. This fee cannot "exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest paid employee who, in the reasonable discretion of the custodian of the records, has the necessary skill and training" to complete the necessary search, retrieval, and redaction of the records. Additionally, the law allows us to charge a copy fee. We charge $0.25 per page for copying. In order to determine the cost for search, retrieval, and redaction, the FOIA office contacts the SCDC office which has custody of the requested records. That office indicates to us how long the search, retrieval, and redaction process will likely take and who they feel is the lowest paid qualified employee to perform it.

SCDC FOIA Office
Post Office Box 21787
Columbia, SC 29221-1787
FOIA@doc.sc.gov<mailto:FOIA@doc.sc.gov>

To Whom It May Concern:

You will receive a response to this FOIA request the week of July 23, 2018.

SCDC FOIA Office
Post Office Box 21787
Columbia, SC 29221-1787
FOIA@doc.sc.gov<mailto:FOIA@doc.sc.gov<mailto:FOIA@doc.sc.gov%3cmailto:FOIA@doc.sc.gov>>

Ms. Dale,

Please find attached an invoice for the records you requested. Please send a check made payable to SCDC for the attached amount and mail it to the attention of Christine McClain. Once I receive your payment, these documents will be sent to you.

SCDC FOIA Office
Post Office Box 21787
Columbia, SC 29221-1787