GREENVILLE, S.C. -- South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster talked about the possibility of his running for governor in 2010 during an exclusive interview with FOX Carolina on Tuesday.

McMaster was first elected as the state’s top lawyer six years ago. McMaster said since that time, he’s come to realize there are some issues he wants to address but can’t in his current job.

“We have a crying need for more energy and development in two areas,” McMaster said. “That is economic development and education.”

FOX Carolina’s Cody Alcorn also asked McMaster about a possible run for the highest office in the state in the next gubernatorial election.

“As far as the governor’s race is going, that is something I’m considering very seriously,” McMaster said. “If there is some way I can do more than I am doing now and the opportunity comes along, I’d like to take it.”

McMaster said as governor he would work on developing a better education system and progressing the state’s economy – two things he said go hand in hand.

“You can’t have a thriving economy with good work and good paying jobs for the people unless you have educated people capable of using it,” McMaster said.

McMaster also talked about his current job as attorney general. He said reducing crime and prison overcrowding is a high priority for him. He said the way to do that is to create what he calls “middle court.”

McMaster said criminals who would be eligible for the new court system would be those who have pleaded guilty, are sentenced to more than 90 days in jail and are non-violent, non-sexual and non-drug related criminals. Criminals who go into the new system would have to spend one night a week for 18 months talking to counselors, taking random drug tests and getting some type of education.

The new system would cost the state $3,750 per person compared to $16,000 per person to send them to prison, McMaster said.

“I want to abolish parole,” McMaster said. “I think it’s an admirable goal; however, I think it is one that is counter-productive because the criminal knows how to play the game.”

McMaster said under his plan the only way a prisoner could be released early would be because of good behavior.

Legislators are expected to take up the parole and middle-court issues when the new session starts in mid-January.