Parole and Pardon Hearings Information

Parole and Pardon Hearings

Victims, who are registered with the Department, are notified of parole and pardon hearings 30 days prior to a hearing date, and have a right to participateat the parole hearing. There are several options available.  Each option listed below is outlined in the hearing notice mailed to the victims

Victim Participation in Parole and Pardon Hearings:

• Victims may appear in person.  Parole and Pardon hearings are conducted at the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services located at 293 Greystone Blvd., Columbia, South Carolina 29210. Click here for directions.
• Victims may participate in the hearing by videoconferencing at the Allendale, Anderson, Charleston, Chesterfield, Florence, Greenville, Marietta, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg or Walterboro Remote Video Conferencing Sites.
• Victims may participate virtually.
• Victims may participate by phone.
• Victims may provide statements/letters for the SC Board of Paroles and Pardons.
• Victims may participate by DVD. State law provides the primary victims (or the next of kin if the victim is deceased or is a minor) may submit a DVD of their opposition in lieu of attending the hearing in person. Click here for information on submitting a DVD.
• Victims may complete an online form to express their response to parole or a pardon.  Click here.

If you plan to participate in a parole or pardon hearing, you must contact the Office of Victim Services by email at victimservices@ppp.sc.gov or by phone at 803-734-4770 or 1-888-551-4418 (toll free).   

Note deadlines for participation are listed on the hearing notice.  Failure to notify may result in the case being heard without your participation.   

Parole and Pardon hearings are public hearings by law so please be aware that an audiotape of each hearing is being made.

Parole Hearings

The SC Board of Paroles and Pardons will communicate with the inmate via videoconferencing.  The inmate will be located at one of the South Carolina Department of Corrections Institutions.

The Board will allow up to five victims and/or witnesses to participate regarding an inmate’s potential parole.  Limitations or exceptions to this guideline will be considered on an individual basis.  In fairness to other victims’ families who want to attend, we ask you to please be respectful of this limit.

Times provided are arrival times and do not include wait time.  Be prepared to wait as there are many factors for each hearing. 

The Board Chair will ask you to state your name for the record and your relationship to the victim/case. After you have participated in the hearing, a member of the Office of Victim Services staff will advise you of the Board’s decision.  If parole is denied, the inmate can be heard again in one or two years – depending on the date and classification of the offense.  If parole is granted, you will be advised of the conditions of the parole.

Pardon Hearings

The SC Board of Paroles and Pardons will allow up to five victims and witnesses to appear regarding pardon consideration.  Limitations or exceptions to this guideline will be considered on an individual basis.

Times provided are arrival times and do not include wait time.  Be prepared to wait as there are many factors for each hearing. 

The Board chair will ask you to state your name for the record and your relationship to the victim/case. After you have participated in the hearing, a member of the Office of Victim Services staff will advise you of the Board’s decision.

If the request for a pardon is denied, the applicant may reapply after one year.

Click here for more information about the pardon application process and what rights a pardon will restore.