S.C. Code Ann. § 57-17-630: Counties may combine chain gangs or hire convicts to work roads.

Whenever in the judgment of the governing body of a county it shall become to the best interest of the county to combine with another county in the operation and management of the chain gangs of the respective counties, the governing bodies of such counties may combine their several chain gangs and provide for their maintenance and operation. Counties which are contiguous or are connected by railroad, highway or other means of communication may thus combine whenever it shall appear to be economically to the advantage of such counties, or the county authorities of any such counties may hire their convicts to another of such counties on such terms as to them may seem to the advantage of their respective counties.