Cutbacks endanger public, officials say
Probation and parole
The state is endangering the public and adding to the burden of local police by slashing nearly $3.5 million from the agency that tracks thousands of criminals free on probation and parole, law enforcement leaders said Monday.
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Circle of crime
Police, probation agents chase same people over and over again
Budget cuts are forcing the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to lay off dozens of workers, furlough others, cut travel expenses and shutter three residential facilities that house offenders while they pay restitution for their crimes, said Peter O'Boyle, the agency's press officer.
Still, O'Boyle insisted the cuts in the agency's $19.7 million budget have not compromised its ability to monitor the 48,000 offenders under its watch or jeopardized the public's safety in any way.
Local law enforcement leaders aren't so sure.
Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon said probation and parole agents have struggled to supervise "extremely high case loads" of offenders even during good budget periods. Adding to those case loads only increases the possibility that offenders will slip through the cracks and commit more crimes, he said.
Previous story
Cuts imperil safety, officials warn, published 10/25/08
"When that oversight is not there, then I think that translates into unfortunate, life-threatening impacts on public safety," he said.
Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen said the cuts already have forced area probation agents to all but abandon teaming up with police to check on offenders and conduct warrant sweeps. Unable to commit the time, the agents now just hand over warrants for police to serve, he said.
"I don't know how they can say it's not having an impact on public safety when the people who are supposed to be monitoring these violent offenders are doing it less frequently," Mullen said. "In my view, it's a very dangerous situation for the public."
Law and Dsiorder
A special series on probation and parole in South Carolina from The Post and Courier.
The Post and Courier described the probation and parole agency's difficulties in the five-part series "Law and Disorder," published in August. The series described how criminals free on probation or parole kill, rob and rape all too often in a state where repeat offenders are routinely released into a system ill-equipped to maintain control.
Budget cuts in previous years already had left the state with about 130 fewer probation and parole agents than it had in the late 1990s. Some agents juggle more than 170 cases each and lack cell phones, cars and other resources to do their jobs.
Legislative leaders talked of boosting money for the probation and parole agency to help it more effectively perform its mission. But that was before the economic crisis prompted across-the-board cuts in funding for state agencies.
O'Boyle said the agency instituted a hiring freeze in February and has since lost 66 agents — 13 percent of its officers — and 27 other workers through layoffs or attrition. All remaining employees have a mandatory two-day furlough. Case loads likely will rise a bit as a result, but not dramatically, he said.
The agency also has further reduced the number of cars in its fleet and restricted agents' use of the vehicles to "essential travel," O'Boyle said. The three restitution centers — in North Charleston, Columbia and Spartanburg — will close by February, and the 100 offenders they house will be returned to the community, he said. The North Charleston center is on Leeds Avenue, near the Charleston County jail.
State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said he is hopeful lawmakers can restore some of the money the agency has lost. "We've got to look at reversing some of that. They've never recovered from the previous recession," he said. "I don't think we can compromise the public's safety."
Allyson Bird contributed to this report. Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
We need to do a "cut" on the fools that run this state. Sanford, who is GW Bush jr, has such an easy fix for us. Don't raise taxes and cut everything by 7% or what ever number they are using up in Columbia.
The fix will have this state spending not cutting. If those that have a little bit of money don't see the value of investing in our future than we are lost.
December 23, 2008 at 2:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
back2u (anonymous) says...
Awww. I don't miss those days of trying to keep up with over 100 criminals. It's a "hit-n-miss" losing battle. Probation is a joke to the criminal as they are smart enough to figure out their PO can't keep tabs on them 24/7. And they aren't going to be forthcoming with confessions (neither will the families). DUHHH!!! Don't fault the POs when one of their offenders hits the news. So what! POs have a life outside of work. I can promise you, about the only way they will know what their offenders are doing at all times is if they live with them & that won't happen. Would you be willing to do such a thing to keep tabs 24/7? Didn't think so.
December 23, 2008 at 2:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I suspect billy thinks his taxes are plenty high, it's only other people who should "invest" in the future with more of their dollars.
December 23, 2008 at 5:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sig (anonymous) says...
PO's are unsung heros just like the police force. People complain about them all the time. If people think it is such a great job apply and go out and try to spend a day in their shoes.
When these welfare scumbags commit a brutal crime it is always someone elses fault. The PO's, the cops, the neighbors who did not report the crime.
But the welfare Momas will cry on T.V. what a good boy their child is and they have never been a problem. When their RAP sheet is 10 pages long. Soon the citizens will start taking care of these scumbags!
December 23, 2008 at 5:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dawhetsell (anonymous) says...
Major Johnson,if you don't think you pay enought TAXES( legal robbery ) then seen what you think you should pay above what they WANT. I think out taxes are too high from ALL goverment agencies. If you think the goverment is smart enought to TAKE your moneny and spend it for your welfare, you must have graduated from a South Carolina School. As far as the criminals go; if they commit petty crimes give them 5 years hard labor on the chain gang. If the commited a capital crime( beyond a doubt), HANG THEM THE NEXT SATURDAY like they did in the days when there was justice. How they baby the criminals and feel sorry for them.
December 23, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
majorjohnson (anonymous) says...
I think if you read my statement you'll see that I'm saying billy thinks his taxes are too high and everyone elses are too low, like most socialists do. Maybe you learned reading comprehension in South Carolina government indoctrination centers.
December 23, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...
Not sure how this Sanford's, or President Bush's fault. IMHO, it is liberal policies that help to produce most of these criminals, than the same liberal policies protect their rights (ACLU) and the courts, with liberal judges that give them easy probation and parole.
I have seen this in many states, under democrat and republican Governors.
But, thats just MHO. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
From Dirty Harry
District Attorney Rothko: You're lucky I'm not indicting you for assault with intent to commit murder.
Harry Callahan: What?
District Attorney Rothko: Where the hell does it say that you've got a right to kick down doors, torture suspects, deny medical attention and legal counsel? Where have you been? Does Escobedo ring a bell? Miranda? I mean, you must have heard of the Fourth Amendment. What I'm saying is that man had rights.
Harry Callahan: Well, I'm all broken up over that man's rights!
[Harry Callahan has to explain why he shot a man]
Harry Callahan: Well, when an adult male is chasing a female with intent to commit rape, I shoot the bastard. That's my policy.
December 23, 2008 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ChasBoyinCola (anonymous) says...
Gov. Sanford did not vote for 7% across-the-board spending cuts. He favored targeted spending cuts. If the Budget & Control Board had agreed w/ the Governor, each state agency and program, including Probation and Parole, could make their case for funding. In these tough times, taxpayers, through state government, can fund only the most deserving and essential services.
December 23, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wjhamilton3 (anonymous) says...
SC has huge numbers of people in prison, one of the highest per capita rates of incarceration in the United States, which has one of the highest rates in the world. Our judges hand out long sentences. We've built all the prisons we can afford and they are full. Charleston County is preparing a major expansion of its jail, the most expensive facility operated by County Government.
SC has a cultural and social problem with crime and violence that we haven't been able to punish our way out of. We have all the people locked up that we have room for and plenty of them are sleeping on the floor now.
We have to punish people and we certainly will, but it isn't going to solve the problem. Poverty, weak education, low quality employment opportunities, substance abuse and many other things contribute to SC's problems with crime and violence.
December 23, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lillycollette (anonymous) says...
State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said [:] "I don't think we can compromise the public's safety."
Hahahaha. Funny guy. Why say: "I don't think we can compromise the public's safety.", when the public already knows the legislature routinely does just that. (The boy must think we really are stupid!)
Throwing money at a problem cures NOTHING. Look at all the money that the legislature has thrown into the snake pit A/K/A/ family court. Members of our legislature full-well know the human rights violations engaged in that hell-hole: illegal losses of liberty, property and lives.
But you guys don't think you can compromise the public's safety?
---- BALDERDASH! YA ALREADY HAVE!
December 23, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ccfromsc (anonymous) says...
Why not outsource the prisoners to another state or country? I mean Russia is supposed to be our friend, right? Send the long terms and death rows to the Gulags in Russia. We could save a bundle.
December 23, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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