South Carolina Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services Agency
Encyclopedia
The South Carolina
Department of Probation
, Parole
, and Pardon
Services (SCDPPPS) is a state agency in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. The agency was formed in 1941 as the South Carolina Probation and Parole Board. At that time, the Board simply made recommendations to the Governor regarding parole matters.
South Carolina Department of Probation Parole and Pardon Services is a cabinet level law enforcement agency of the state of South Carolina; its Director is appointed by the Governor.
Probation and Parole Agents are full state police
officers with statewide arrest powers, they provide in addition to their normal probation and parole supervision duties, law enforcement assistance to support local agencies, major events, and natural disasters.
and Democratic
candidates, for Myrtle Beach Bike Week, Atlantic Beach Bikefest
, and hurricane evacuations and storm shelters. Agents are tasked with the responsibility of assisting in lane reversal on the interstate highways
during evacuations and well as policing in the aftermath of the storm.
“A probation agent has, in the execution of his duties, the power to issue an arrest warrant or a citation charging a violation of conditions of supervision, the powers of arrest, and, to the extent necessary, the same right to execute process given by law to sheriffs. A probation agent has the power and authority to enforce the criminal laws of the State. In the performance of his duties of probation, parole, community supervision, and investigation, he is regarded as the official representative of the court, the department, and the board.”
http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t24c021.htm
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/06/lawmakers_urge_justice_reforms53308/
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
Department of Probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
, Parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
, and Pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
Services (SCDPPPS) is a state agency in the state of South Carolina in the United States of America. The agency was formed in 1941 as the South Carolina Probation and Parole Board. At that time, the Board simply made recommendations to the Governor regarding parole matters.
South Carolina Department of Probation Parole and Pardon Services is a cabinet level law enforcement agency of the state of South Carolina; its Director is appointed by the Governor.
Probation and Parole Agents are full state police
State police (United States)
In the United States, state police are a police body unique to each U.S. state, having statewide authority to conduct law enforcement activities and criminal investigations...
officers with statewide arrest powers, they provide in addition to their normal probation and parole supervision duties, law enforcement assistance to support local agencies, major events, and natural disasters.
Training
Agents attend the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Basic Police Certification course as well as an Agent Basic Academy. They are armed with the .40 Glock Model 22 pistol and must qualify twice a year. Agents have been involved in shooting incidents, recently where a felon was shot and killed, when he attacked an Agent.Field Operations
Field Operations Division is the largest division in SCDPPPS, it supervises offenders under the Department's jurisdiction through its approximately 475 Probation/Parole Agents located in the 46 county offices. Agents supervise offenders, conduct investigations, and provide law enforcement resources to assist local agencies.Special Operations
Recently the Special Operations unit has provided law enforcement/protection to the US Presidential Debates held for both the RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidates, for Myrtle Beach Bike Week, Atlantic Beach Bikefest
Black Bike Week
Black Bike Week, also called Atlantic Beach Bikefest and Black Bikers Week, is an annual motorcycle rally at Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, held on Memorial Day weekend. It is also sometimes called Black Fill-in-the-Blank Week, because it has evolved to attract many non-motorcycling visitors who...
, and hurricane evacuations and storm shelters. Agents are tasked with the responsibility of assisting in lane reversal on the interstate highways
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
during evacuations and well as policing in the aftermath of the storm.
Authority
The authority Agents have is found in the SC Code of Laws; SECTION 24-21-280. Duties and powers of probation agents; authority to enforce criminal laws.“A probation agent has, in the execution of his duties, the power to issue an arrest warrant or a citation charging a violation of conditions of supervision, the powers of arrest, and, to the extent necessary, the same right to execute process given by law to sheriffs. A probation agent has the power and authority to enforce the criminal laws of the State. In the performance of his duties of probation, parole, community supervision, and investigation, he is regarded as the official representative of the court, the department, and the board.”
Mission statement
Mission Statement of SCDPPPS- To prepare offenders under our supervision toward becoming productive members of the community;
- To provide assistance to the victims of crimes, the courts and the Parole Board; and
- To protect public trust and safety
Problems
Recent budget cuts, staggering case loads, and the lowest pay but highest requirements for South Carolina Police, has caused serious personnel and operating problems within SCDPPPS. A call for a new funding and reorganization is underway at this time.Famous Cases
- Rodell Vereen: In 2009, Vereen was serving probation for having sex with a horse in Conway, South CarolinaConway, South CarolinaConway is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 16,317 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Horry County and is part of the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area. It is the home of Coastal Carolina University....
. Vereen was arrested a second time for having sex with the same horse. The case was featured on the The Daily Show with Jon StewartThe Daily ShowThe Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
in August 2009. - Stephen StankoStephen StankoStephen Stanko , is a convicted murderer, who killed two people and raped a teenage girl in Murrels Inlet, a small town near Georgetown County, South Carolina, in 2005.-Prior to the murders:...
: In 2005, Stanko killed his girlfriend and raped her daughter while serving parole. The Stanko case was featured on CBS 48 Hours Mystery48 Hours (TV series)48 Hours is a documentary and news program broadcast on the CBS television network since January 19, 1988. The program originally presented documentaries of various events related to a particular subject occurring within a 48-hour period, and is credited as one of the first to air a "reality show"...
on January 13, 2007. - James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
: In 2003, American singer James Brown received a pardon for drug and assault related crimes committed in 1988 and 1998.
See also
- Probation in the United States of AmericaProbationProbation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
- Parole in the United States of America
- Atlantic Beach BikefestBlack Bike WeekBlack Bike Week, also called Atlantic Beach Bikefest and Black Bikers Week, is an annual motorcycle rally at Atlantic Beach, South Carolina, held on Memorial Day weekend. It is also sometimes called Black Fill-in-the-Blank Week, because it has evolved to attract many non-motorcycling visitors who...
Sources
http://www.dppps.sc.gov/http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t24c021.htm
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/sep/06/lawmakers_urge_justice_reforms53308/