S.C. Code Ann. § 57-17-670

The governing body of any county may hire overseers and laborers and have the work performed as in its judgment may be most expedient and for the best interest of the county, and the county supervisors and governing bodies may arrange to work the roads of their respective counties with the convicts of their several counties or to lease to or from the governing body of any county, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by the respective governing bodies, any convicts sentenced to perform hard labor upon the public works of any county.