The Murdaugh murder case rocked America — and now that it's all over,
what do we know about the killer's life behind bars?
In 2023, convicted double-murderer Alex Murdaugh was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences
with no chance for parole for the 2021 murders of his wife and son, Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
Murdaugh's trial, which drew heavy media scrutiny, revealed that the former attorney also defrauded
millions of dollars from clients of the prominent Murdaugh family legal firm. Murdaugh had a long
history of severe substance use issues, admitted to in his testimony. He pleaded not guilty
to both murder charges, and his conviction and subsequent life sentences have both been appealed.
"It was quick, and we figured, being a quick verdict,
we saw right away that he would be guilty. It was kind of a shock."
After Murdaugh's sentence was handed down, he reportedly entered Kirkland Correctional
Institution in Columbia, South Carolina, where he was given an inmate number from
the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Murdaugh was assigned to XDL dorm in room number
0043, bunk A. At prisons like Kirkland, cells are made from concrete with only a steel bed,
toilet, and sink for prisoners to use.
Once on site, Murdaugh was at Kirkland for 45 days at maximum for a period of evaluation. In
early March, South Carolina Department of Corrections Communications Director
Chrysti Shain told Greenville News that, after processing, he would likely be moved to another
maximum-security prison — presumably one of four such facilities besides Kirkland in the
state. Indeed, reporting from Greenville News claims that Murdaugh's period of evaluation at
Kirkland had finished by late March 2023, and he was assigned to another long-term prison location.
The notoriety surrounding the Alex Murdaugh murder case greatly affected
the convicted double-murder's life at the Kirkland Correctional Institution. Most notably, Murdaugh
was kept separate from other inmates due to safety concerns. According to Chrysti Shain, Murdaugh was
not held in strict solitary confinement — though he was the only inmate assigned to his cell,
and he would have been accompanied by an officer on the rare occasion he was allowed to leave.
"Murdaugh is one of 28 inmates housed in the self-contained unit."
No known threats were made against his life in his time spent at the Kirkland facility.
Meanwhile, his meals were brought to him in his cell, unlike other inmates who dined together in
the prison cafeteria. It's reportedly possible for Kirkland inmates to purchase a TV for their cells,
though it's unclear whether Murdaugh did so; he may have also paid to use the phone. While
under evaluation at Kirkland, additional background information was likely gathered
along with various screenings to determine Murdaugh's overall health and well-being.
On how it's determined where Murdaugh will spend the rest of his life behind bars,
Chrysti Shain told Greenville News:
"A lot of things will come into play when we try to determine where an inmate will spend his time."
At that time, Shain said Murdaugh was, quote, "in a very secure place."
Regardless of Alex Murdaugh's life at the Kirkland Correctional Institution,
his isolation may not continue once housed at his permanent prison location, which,
right now, remains undisclosed. Once he arrives at his new home, Murdaugh will likely enjoy the
same freedoms of movement allowed to other maximum-security inmates. He might earn a
medium security level designation after seven years of good behavior, Shain said.
Of course, Murdaugh's two murder convictions aside — along with
two guilty verdicts for using a firearm while committing a violent
felony — the former attorney's legal troubles are far from over.
While serving his two consecutive life sentences, Murdaugh faces 99 other charges stemming from
insurance and financial fraud, as well as a number of wrongful death cases related to
additional deaths from the Murdaugh family's past. Murdaugh also faces drug charges. At the moment,
whether his financial crimes and fraud charges would be tried together or in separate court
hearings remains unknown. Though Murdaugh spoke openly of fraud, theft, and other types
of financial malfeasance on the stand, he has yet to enter an official plea on those charges.