Susan Smith Faces Parole Setback After Prison Rule Violation Ahead of Eligibility Hearing

Weather Update for Union, South Carolina

Hey folks, it looks like we’ve got a bit of a weather mix up today. As of October 16, 2024, at 4:39 am, the day started with partly cloudy skies and a slight chance of a rain shower. The high today is expected to hover around 60F, with winds blowing North at speeds of 10 to 15 mph. But don’t worry, as the day winds down, the clouds are expected to clear up. Tonight, you can expect clear skies with the low nearing 35F. The winds are expected to remain Northbound and gently breeze at 5 to 10 mph.

A Glimpse into the Past: The Infamous Susan Smith Case

Now, shifting gears a bit, let’s take a trip down memory lane to a chilling event in Union’s history. Many will remember the horrifying incident from three decades ago, in 1994 when a mother, Susan Smith, shockingly ended the life of her two young children, Michael and Alex Smith.

Remember the haunting photo from July 9, 1995, where visitors are seen walking down the ramp where the tragic incident happened? Yes, it’s that very spot where Susan drowned her children in her car, a grim event still etched in the town’s collective memory.

Violation of Prison Rules

Fast forward thirty years and Susan Smith, now 53, finds herself in another spot of trouble, this time inside the prison walls. According to the S.C. Department of Corrections, she recently landed a violation for communicating with a filmmaker—an absolute no-no per prison rules, particularly as Smith is on the cusp of her eligibility for parole.

The Details

Details reveal that Susan communicated with a documentary filmmaker about her heinous crimes, even offering to provide contact information of her victims, including her ex-husband. She discussed the details of her crime in depth, from what was in the trunk of the car to her initial plan to jump from a bridge while holding her sons. To make matters worse, she took money deposited by the filmmaker into her prison account, raising suspicions about her intentions.

Given this violation, her privileges to her phone, tablet, and canteen have been revoked for 90 days, starting on October 4. The prison authorities have warned that the privilege to use her electronic tablet could be permanently revoked if she doesn’t tread on the straight and narrow.

The Parole Factor

Troubling as this is, you may question, why is this relevant now? Well, Susan becomes eligible for parole next month, a whooping 30 years after the horrifying crime. The parole hearing doesn’t have a date yet, but her eligibility starts on November 4, 2024. Interesting to note that a mere 1.6 percent of parole-eligible inmates serving life were released on parole last year.

One must not forget that she dodged a death penalty during her trial in 1995, instead handed a life sentence. Over the years, Susan has held multiple jobs in prison and, barring a few minor infractions, has maintained a relatively clean record for nearly a decade.

This media interaction, however, raises stern questions about her reformation in prison and may affect her parole hearing. It does seem that Susan Smith is making headlines yet again, just a month shy from her parole eligibility.