A grieving mother is taking legal action against the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) after her son was brutally killed inside his prison cell. She claims the system failed to protect him and is demanding accountability for his untimely death.
On March 13, the mother of 34-year-old Patrick Chase Massey filed a lawsuit against the SCDC in the 14th Judicial Circuit, citing gross negligence and wrongful death.
According to court documents, Massey was found strangled to death on December 10, 2024, at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison in Jasper County, South Carolina. His accused killer? His cellmate of less than a day, 31-year-old Javontay Savon Rogers.
Prison System Under Fire: “My Son’s Death Was Preventable”
Massey’s mother argues that prison officials ignored obvious risks when they placed her son in the same cell as Rogers—a known violent offender. The lawsuit highlights that Rogers had attacked another inmate just hours before being transferred into Massey’s cell. Despite this, officers ignored warnings and Rogers’ own protests about being forced to share a cell.
Court records reveal that when guards attempted to house Rogers with Massey, he reportedly begged them not to, saying:
- “Don’t put me in that cell.”
- “I told you to take me back to lock-up.”
- “I don’t want to go into that room with him.”
Instead of listening, prison staff allegedly mocked him and shoved him inside the cell anyway. Hours later, Massey was found dead—strangled with a nylon strap.
Negligence, Violence, and a Broken System
Massey’s family claims that Ridgeland Correctional has a long history of violence, poor security, and unmonitored prison blocks. The lawsuit states:
- Lack of proper cellmate screening—violent inmates were mixed with non-violent ones.
- Security staff shortages—leading to inadequate supervision of inmates.
- Failure to prevent weapons and contraband—making attacks like this more likely.
Adding to the tragedy, Massey only had two years left on his sentence and had a reputation for being a calm, non-violent inmate.
Mother Demands Justice & Accountability
Massey’s mother says her family has suffered unimaginable pain due to the prison’s negligence. In addition to the emotional trauma, they have had to bear the costs of autopsy, funeral expenses, and legal battles.
She is now seeking financial compensation for her son’s suffering, wrongful death, and the pain her family continues to endure. She also wants a jury trial to hold SCDC accountable.
Her fight isn’t just for her son—it’s a call for change in South Carolina’s prison system, so no other family has to experience the same heartbreak.
