Newly obtained prison calls reveal that Susan Smith, the South Carolina killer mom, was disciplined for violating prison rules by communicating with the media. Smith, who was denied parole after 30 years of incarceration, was found guilty of speaking with a documentary filmmaker against prison regulations.
Smith's disciplinary action stemmed from conversations with the filmmaker, where they discussed conducting interviews and filming for a documentary. They delved into details of Smith's crime, including chilling specifics like the events leading up to the tragic incident where she strapped her two sons, Michael and Alexander, into her car and let it sink into a lake, resulting in their deaths.
Despite expressing reluctance to engage with the media in prior phone calls, Smith ultimately breached prison policies by providing contact information for friends, family, and victims to the filmmaker. This led to her losing privileges such as telephone, tablet, and canteen access for 90 days.
South Carolina Department of Corrections strictly prohibits inmates from participating in interviews, whether in person or over the phone. Inmates are only allowed to communicate via letters, and the use of tablets for monitored calls and messages is considered a privilege subject to departmental approval.
During her recent parole hearing, Smith expressed remorse for her heinous actions, acknowledging the pain she caused and expressing a desire to undo the tragedy. However, the parole board unanimously denied her release, citing the severity of her crime and her history of institutional offenses as key factors in their decision.
Smith's case continues to be a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of her actions, as she remains incarcerated for the murders of her young sons, a crime that shocked the nation back in 1994.
