Video Shows S.C. Inmate Using Pencil to Escape Jail

**Inmate Uses Pencil to Escape South Carolina Jail**

A 30-year-old inmate at the Chesterfield County Detention Center in South Carolina managed to orchestrate his escape earlier this month using nothing more than a pencil. Charles Alexander Dieterich, originally from New York, slipped out of his cell on 1st September and attempted to flee the facility by scaling a barbed-wire fence.

Footage from security cameras has revealed how Dieterich was able to manipulate the locking mechanism of his cell door. By lifting the door slightly and inserting a pencil, he was able to slide the door open with ease. Following his escape from the B-Work Camp—part of the older section of the detention centre that was built in 1972—Dieterich made his way through the facility’s kitchen and exited through an unlocked door designated for inmate duties.

Once outside, he quickly climbed over a barbed-wire fence and continued his escape towards a public works site on Jones Road, located over half a mile away. During routine checks of the detention facility, staff members discovered that Dieterich’s cell door was ajar. Upon further investigation, they learned from other inmates that he had successfully fled.

Within minutes of the discovery, Chesterfield County deputies were dispatched to the area and located Dieterich near the Chesterfield County Public Works Shop at approximately 4:48 p.m. He was apprehended, but not without incident; he allegedly assaulted a deputy during the arrest, leading to additional charges, including unlawful escape, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.

Dieterich’s legal troubles were not new. He had been arrested in June and faced multiple charges, including possession and sale of a stolen vehicle valued between £1,500 and £7,500, as well as the manufacture and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Though he pleaded guilty to these charges on 13th August and was sentenced to time served, he remained behind bars due to active charges in North Carolina, refusing to sign an extradition waiver.

Once detained again following his escape, Dieterich was transported to McLeod Health Cheraw to receive treatment for cuts he sustained while scaling the barbed wire. After being medically cleared, he was returned to the Chesterfield County Detention Center.

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the security protocols at the facility. Following the escape, immediate measures were implemented, including assigning a correctional officer to monitor the entrance of the B-Work Camp housing area overnight. Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater commented on the matter, stating, “Any escape from our detention centre is a serious issue, and we are conducting a full review of how this occurred.”

Sheriff Streater acknowledged the dilapidated condition of parts of the detention centre, noting that some areas date back to 1972. He stressed the importance of evaluating existing procedures and security measures to prevent any future incidents of this nature, asserting their responsibility to maintain a secure environment for both staff and inmates.

As the investigation into the escape continues, it remains unclear if Dieterich has secured legal representation capable of providing comment on his behalf. Meanwhile, the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office is committed to addressing the vulnerabilities highlighted by this incident in order to ensure the safety and security of the facility’s grounds.

The unusual circumstances of Dieterich’s escape have sparked public interest and concern, emphasising the potential risks posed by security gaps in detention facilities. As authorities work diligently to review and revise their protocols, the community awaits further updates regarding both the investigation and the measures being taken to enhance inmate security in Chesterfield County.