Bryan P. Stirling has been appointed as the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. U.S. Circuit Court Judge Julius Richardson administered the oath of office at a private ceremony in Columbia. The ceremony at the U.S. District Courthouse included friends, family, and representatives of law enforcement from various levels.
Stirling previously served as the South Carolina Department of Corrections director for over ten years, making him the longest-serving prison director in the nation. Under his leadership, the department, with over 4,000 employees, managed 16,500 inmates across 21 facilities. He emphasized systemic reentry and training, contributing to South Carolina's lowest recidivism rate in the country since 2021.
Before leading the correctional system, Stirling was the Deputy Attorney General for nearly six years. He also served as Chief of Staff for Governor Nikki Haley between October 2012 and September 2013, overseeing her cabinet and executive policy management. Stirling earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1991 and his law degree from USC’s School of Law in 1996.
As the U.S. Attorney, Stirling's responsibilities include overseeing federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in South Carolina. He will manage a team of 120 prosecutors and support staff in Columbia, Charleston, Florence, and Greenville.
