Juvenile offender therapy praised

One problem: Program not available locally

An internationally recognized treatment aimed at preventing the most troubled juvenile offenders from spiraling into lives of crime has gained traction throughout the country but remains mostly unavailable in South Carolina, the state where it was developed. Read More

SC Probation and Parole could merge with Dept. of Corrections

Critics not sold on uniting prisons, parole

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina could save as much as $6 million if the state merges its probation and parole services with the prison system, a move that some critics are worried could lead to less oversight of convicted criminals out on the streets. Read More

Corrections, parole fusion considered

COLUMBIA -- Victims advocates want to make sure a plan to consolidate probation and parole services under the state Department of Corrections doesn't put dollars and cents over justice. Read More

Witnesses help nab suspect

Apparently, the getaway wasn't planned out as well as the robbery. Read More

Sentencing reform measure advances

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina took another step toward passing a new law that would free up space in prisons by putting more future nonviolent offenders into community-based treatment and supervision programs. Read More

House overrides Sanford veto

Law allowing warrantless searches takes effect

COLUMBIA -- Criminals on probation and parole are now subject to searches without warrants by South Carolina police. Read More

Sanford backs prison reform

Nonviolent criminals would be given probation, parole

COLUMBIA -- Gov. Mark Sanford threw his support Wednesday behind a proposed law to shift future nonviolent offenders to alternative sentences as a way to free up more than 2,400 prison beds for violent criminals and avoid the $300 million-plus expense of building a new prison. Read More

House falls short in bid to override veto

COLUMBIA -- Law enforcement officers won't be given expanded authority to search criminals free on probation and parole unless supporters in the House can pull off a last-ditch effort to pass warrantless searches. Read More

Judiciary panel advances sentencing reform plan

COLUMBIA -- A comprehensive plan to divert nonviolent criminals from prisons to the probation and parole system so South Carolina can avoid spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build new prisons was adopted Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 14-0 vote. Read More

Parole agency faces big cut

Police chief: Public safety could be jeopardized

South Carolina's probation and parole department would have to shutter offices in 10 counties and reduce supervision of thousands of criminals if state lawmakers slice more money from the agency's budget, authorities said. Read More

Chiefs: Age shouldn't affect sentence

Mullen says aside from 1 objection, bill would serve community well

COLUMBIA -- Armed robbers who are young should not get dramatically shorter sentences just because of their age, three Lowcountry police officers told a Senate panel Wednesday. Read More

Search measure clears hurdle

Warrantless proposal would affect probationers, parolees

COLUMBIA -- Law enforcement moved one step closer Wednesday to having the right to search people on probation and parole without warrants. Read More

Early release of prisoners discussed

Move would be response to budget deficits

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina will consider opening its prison doors and freeing up to 3,000 inmates before their sentences are finished as a way to save money during a crippling economic time. Read More

Leaders urged to take long view

Pair review sentencing reform panel's report

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina risks more violence and increased prison costs if legislators fail to think long term or pump new money into community-based services for criminals. Read More

Too much spent on prisons, study says

Researchers call for more put into probation, parole

COLUMBIA - South Carolina puts far too many of its resources into locking up prisoners and not enough toward criminals serving sentences on probation and parole, according to a study released Monday by The Pew Center on the States. Read More