Offender Supervision

Supervision Strategies

Glossary of Terms

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services currently uses a variety of strategies to manage a diverse group of individuals required to serve a period of supervision in the community. 

Based on the risk and the needs of the offender, there are a number of supervision options used by probation and parole agents to ensure offenders are in compliance with the various conditions of supervision. With the introduction of the Omnibus Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act of 2010, the Department has expanded its supervision strategies to include best practices to reduce offender recidivism.

In recent years, the Department has implemented evidence-based strategies such as the use of an actuarial risk and needs assessment tool to assist with the individualized case planning for moderate to high risk to re-offend offenders, administrative monitoring for those offenders who have completed traditional supervision and only have financial obligations that need to be met; and the use of administrative sanctions as alternatives to address compliance violations.

In addition to evidence-based supervision strategies, the Department also uses other strategies that are geared towards specific offender populations. Those strategies include GPS monitoring, the Sex Offender Management program, the Supervised Reentry program, and the Interstate Compact program.

Offenders are supervised by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services according to a wide range of strategies that are designed to give them the opportunity to succeed and to protect community safety. These include:

  • Intensive Supervision Program
  • Home Detention / Electronic Monitoring Program
  • Supervise Furlough II-A Program
  • Community Supervision Program
  • DJJ Release Program
  • DNA Testing
  • Investigations
  • “On-the-Outside” Mentoring Program
  • Parole Employment Program
  • Service Referrals
  • Public Service Employment
  • Volunteer and Intern Services Program

Intensive Supervision Program    

The primary objective of intensive supervision is increased offender accountability for those on probation or parole. This goal is met through enhanced surveillance and control techniques and other special conditions, providing the offender with the proper balance of control and assistance. Intensive supervision, performed by probation/Agents with limited caseloads, is conducted for a period of up to six months unless a longer period is specified by the court or Parole Board. Offenders pay a supervision fee of up to $30 per week for the duration of supervision. This fee is based on a sliding scale determined by income.

Community Supervision Program    

The Community Supervision Program is a release program for offenders who have been sentenced to a "No Parole" offense and have served 85% of their sentence at the SC Department of Corrections (SCDC). A "No Parole" offense is a class A, B, or C felony or an offense exempt from classification as enumerated in Section 16-1-10(d), which is punishable by a maximum term of 20 years or more. Individuals who committed one of these crimes on or after January 1, 1996, are not eligible for parole consideration at any time during their sentence. Offenders released to the Community Supervision Program have a two-year period of supervision. If at any time they violate the terms of supervision, a Circuit Court Judge may revoke any part of the remaining incarcerative portion of the sentence for up to one year at a time.

DJJ Release Program    

The DJJ Release Program is a program where SCDPPPS supervises offenders who are at least 17 years of age, but less than 21, who have been adjudicated delinquent by a Family Court and who have been conditionally released from SCDC by the Juvenile Parole Board. These offenders report like adult offenders. SCDPPPS Agents can issue process and arrest these offenders as well. This population differs in that their cases are brought before the Juvenile Parole Board and its Hearing Officers if the case is in violation.

DNA Testing    

The purpose of DNA testing is to meet the legislatively mandated responsibilities to collect physical evidence from offenders who meet the requisite guidelines based on criminal convictions. The program includes the statewide collection of the samples by SCDPPPS and sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s (SLED’s) DNA database in Columbia, SC.

Investigations   

The purpose of investigations is to provide pertinent, accurate information to a disposing authority that is relevant to the individual and will assist the disposing authority in making the most appropriate decision which would include violations, pre-parole, pardon, pre-sentence, etc.

Self-Paced In-Class Education (SPICE) 

The SPICE Program is an inmate education and employment initiative. This initiative is a faith-based community partnership between SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS), SC Department of Corrections (SCDC), SC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and SC technical colleges. The SPICE program provides meaningful educational opportunities including: vocational training, life skill training, spiritual awareness and career readiness training. The program consists of two components; an institutional component and a community–based supervision component. 

The SPICE program aims to provide a means for eligible inmates to learn, work and contribute back to their communities upon release. Upon completion of the vocational/educational training element, designated SCDPPS staff coordinates with community sponsors/mentors and other service providers to facilitate offender employment. 

For more information contact:
George Whitehead, Program Coordinator
Office: 803-734-9143
Mobile: 803-667-1258
George.Whitehead@ppp.sc.gov

Service Referrals   

Offenders ordered by the Court, Board, or releasing authority to participate in a rehabilitative service program or an evaluation, such as alcohol/drug treatment, sex offender treatment, or mental health counseling, are referred when received for supervision. Additionally, staff refers offenders to receive services as identified through the development and monitoring of the supervision plan. Referrals are made to service providers listed in the Department’s Service Provider Directory

For Local or County Applications:
Mail or fax a completed Service Provider Application and a Standards and Requirements Acknowledgement Form to the address listed below. The Standards and Requirements Acknowledgement Form states the minimum standards and discusses SCDPPPS’ quality assurance process. Your paperwork will be processed by the state office.  

SCDPPPS
Office of Program Planning and Development
Post Office Box 207
Columbia, South Carolina 29202
E-mail:  Service.Providers@ppp.sc.gov

Public Service Employment    

Since 1987 the Department has offered Public Service Employment as one of its community-based programs. The program places convicted non-violent offenders in unpaid positions with non-profit or tax-supported agencies to perform a specified number of community service work hours. Public Service Employment allows the community to hold non-violent criminal offenders accountable for their actions through direct service back to the community in which they live.

The form to register as a Public Service Employment (PSE) Worksite can be found here. Applications can be emailed to Sharon.Holland@ppp.sc.gov. The “Best Practices Guide for Community Service” can be found here.   

Volunteer and Intern Services Program    

The Department regards the Volunteer Intern Services Program (VISP) as an integral part of its efforts to augment the services of staff and to enhance the public’s awareness of PPP's initiatives, mission, and responsibilities. The VISP provides students and private citizens with an opportunity to experience the work of an agency while applying the knowledge and skills learned toward educational requirements or work experience. The VISP is an opportunity for the community to partner with the Department as we redirect offenders’ lives for better quality improvement and productivity.