A former prison officer in South Carolina, United States, has been arrested and dismissed from service after allegedly smuggling home-cooked meals to inmates at the detention centre where she worked.

The officer, Matrese Grant, a former sergeant and shift supervisor at the W. Glenn Campbell Detention Center in Darlington County, was accused of concealing the food beneath a blanket to evade security cameras at the facility.

Grant, who had worked at the detention centre for about four months, was arrested on September 17 and charged with misconduct in office and furnishing contraband to inmates.

The allegations against her have not been established in court.

According to authorities, the case came to light after another officer noticed unauthorised items being brought into the facility earlier in September.

Grant was allegedly caught providing home-cooked meals to inmates on September 7. Investigators said she hid the food under a blanket and placed it in a secure area where inmates could later collect it.

The matter was reported to authorities on September 9, while Grant was suspended without pay two days later.

She was subsequently dismissed after an investigation into the alleged unauthorised deliveries.

Grant was then booked into the same detention facility where she had previously worked as a supervisor.

Authorities said she was later granted a $15,000 cash or surety bond covering the two charges.

Officials explained that unauthorised food brought into the detention facility is classified as contraband because prohibited items, including weapons or other harmful materials, could potentially be concealed inside food.

However, authorities have not alleged that Grant hid any weapons or dangerous materials in the meals. The charges relate specifically to the alleged unauthorised delivery of food.

Officials said the facility maintains strict rules against the introduction of contraband and that the regulations apply equally to inmates and staff.

The case remains under investigation, while Grant faces the charges brought against her.