Supervision & Rehab

To Prepare, Provide & Protect

In an effort to enhance the Sex Offender Management Program, during fiscal year (FY) 2022-2023, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) became the nation’s first state-level probation agency to acquire an Electronics Detection Canine. “K-9 Chip,” a Golden Retriever-Labrador mix, assists probation and parole agents in their sex offender home searches for hidden electronics. These smaller electronics, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) drives or cell phones that may potentially contain child pornography, can later be used as evidence in court.

Agent Benjy Partain, a six-year veteran with SCDPPPS, serves as K-9 Chip’s handler. Since the inception of the Electronics Detection Canine Program in November 2022, K-9 Chip has conducted 92 home searches with 234 devices found and seven individuals have received new criminal charges. The cost of procuring and training K-9 Chip, the various equipment (e.g., leashes, collars, food storage bin), and additional costs were generously donated by a grant from Spectrum and the Defenders for Children.

In offender supervision, during the past fiscal year, SCDPPPS has also increased the quality of offender interactions through the use of body-worn cameras. In 2019, the department had just 50 body-worn cameras. Last year, Offender Supervision and Enforcement Services (OSES) ordered and gradually distributed 296 body-worn cameras to agents, nearly reaching a 1:1 ratio. The department is in the process of procuring additional body-worn cameras to accommodate agents who have joined the department in the most recent hiring wave.

These helpful cameras have provided a reliable record of agent-offender interactions while ensuring staff continue to provide safe and professional service in the field. For the next steps, the OSES Division plans to begin a testing and demonstration phase for a new generation of cameras, ensuring that the department stays on the cutting edge of criminal justice technology.

Recognizing the need to employ tactically trained staff to respond swiftly to emergency situations, SCDPPPS has developed the Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.), a high-performance group of agents. This team’s purpose is to provide support for sister law enforcement agencies of all jurisdictions throughout the state as they execute high-risk operations.

S.O.R.T. members are responsible for responding to all emergency situations including -but not limited to special events, crowd control, civil unrest, and riots. S.O.R.T. will also assist with dangerous warrant executions.

This team of 20 is specially trained and physically disciplined. The SCDPPPS Training Compliance and Professional Development Section has provided S.O.R.T. personnel with the necessary educational resources and the opportunity to grow professionally through participation in a wide variety of intense training.

In addition to Special Operations, during the past fiscal year, the Domestic Violence Unit and the Mental Health Program were both expanded. The Domestic Violence Unit’s goals of victim safety, offender rehabilitation, and offender accountability are accomplished through quality home visits, involvement in coordinated community response teams, and group reporting. Domestic violence agents are currently located in 17 counties.

The Mental Health Program consists of highly trained agents supervising persons with mental illnesses. Agents supervise a reduced caseload with a focus on building a strong rapport with offenders and relationships with community partners. The Mental Health Program expanded significantly in the past fiscal year with the hiring of three mental health supervisors and five mental health agents who supervise offenders in 21 counties. SCDPPPS continues to seek financial support to develop these vital programs statewide in all 46 counties.

Supervision Levels

SCDPPPS uses a validated actuarial risk/needs assessment tool to determine the likelihood of reoffending and identify criminogenic needs. Individuals are placed on an appropriate supervision level based on court orders and the assessment tool. Supervision plans are developed to address criminogenic needs through targeted referral services.

• Standard
  • Those assessed at low risk of recidivism are supervised at this level, with the standard conditions of supervision and applicable court orders.

• Medium
  • Those assessed at medium risk of recidivism are supervised at this level, with the standard conditions of supervision and applicable court orders. Agents have more frequent contact than those assessed atlowrisk.

• High
  • Individuals assessed at high risk of recidivism are supervised at this level, with the standard conditions of supervision and applicable court orders. Agents have more frequent contact than those assessed at medium risk.

Specialized Supervision

• Domestic Violence
  • Those in specific counties with a domestic violence offense are subject to domestic violence conditions of supervision and applicable court orders.

• Mental Health
  • Those in specific counties with identified mental health needs are subject to the mental health conditions of supervision and applicable court orders.

• Sex Offender
  • Those with a sex offense are subject to sex offender conditions of supervision and applicable court orders.