S.C. Code Ann. § 24-7-60
The governing body of the county shall diet and provide suitable and efficient guards and appliances for the safekeeping of all convicts upon whom may be imposed sentence of labor on the highways, streets and other public works of the county. It shall likewise provide all necessary tools, implements and road machines for performing the work required of such convicts, all costs and expenses of which shall be paid out of the county road fund in the same manner as other charges against such fund are paid.