S.C. Const. art. XII, § 9

Control of convicts. The Penitentiary and the convicts thereto sentenced shall forever be under the supervision and control of officers employed by the State; and in case any convicts are hired or farmed out, as may be provided by law, their maintenance, support, medical attendance and discipline shall be under the direction of officers detailed for those duties by the authorities of the Penitentiary. Provided, however, that the General Assembly may authorize the Department of Corrections to transfer inmates to correctional institutions of other states or the federal government for confinement, treatment or rehabilitation when such transfers are deemed to be in the best interest of the inmate concerned. (1969 (56) 930; 1971 (57) 237.)