SOUTH CAROLINA
LET THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME!
Did you receive a prison sentence that didn't fit your crime? Share your story! One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.
SHARE YOUR STORYWith 40 years of experience helping restore men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship advocates for federal and state criminal justice reforms that transform those responsible for crime, validate victims, and encourage communities to play a role in creating a safe, redemptive, and just society.
In 2016, the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Oversight Committee released a five-year report of the impact made by these reforms. The report showed that the reforms had resulted in savings of over $18 million, an almost 10 percent decrease in prison populations, and an increase in successful parole and probation outcomes. To build upon this success, legislation was introduced in 2016 to reform mandatory minimum requirements.
WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
TELL YOUR STORY
Did you receive a prison sentence that didn’t fit the crime? One testimony at a time, we can advance justice that restores.
ADVOCATE
We’re seeking Justice Advocates to build relationships with their state legislators, organize events, and promote justice reform.
GROW THE MOVEMENT
Invite your friends to sign up for our advocacy network so they can advance justice in just a few clicks. Every voice makes a difference!
YOUR STATE STATISTICS
16.1K Adults in Prison
633 Minors in Juvenile Faclities
26.3K Adults on Probation
4.6K Adults on Parole
$30.1K Cost of Incarceration Per Adult Prisoner
$197.1K Cost of Incarceration Per Juvenile
Governor: Republican
Senate: Republican
House: Republican
In Session: Jan 8th - May 9th
PRISON FELLOWSHIP IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Prison Fellowship victories in South Carolina include working with the churches, citizens, and government leaders in 2010 to pass the Crime Reduction and Sentencing Reform Act (Senate Bill 1154) to increase support for crime victims, strengthen the stat's parole system, and provide ways for individuals who are incarcerated to transform their lives.
SIGN THE JUSTICE DECLARATION!
Grounded in biblical values and signed by over 100 Christian leaders, the Justice Declaration is a call to the Church to deploy its unique and unparalleled capacity to respond to crime and over-incarceration.
SIGN THE DECLARATIONIN THE NEWS
Never Too Far Gone
Kacie was the first Black woman to serve as Alderman of her ward in St. …Read More »Second Chances After Incarceration: FWD.us Weighs In
When barriers to safety and success for people with a criminal record are removed, everyone …Read More »
RAISE YOUR VOICE
We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be effective tools to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores. Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today.
FEDERAL JUSTICE REFORM OPPORTUNITIES
Prison Fellowship has been active on Capitol Hill for decades, lobbying the Administration and Congress to support groundbreaking reforms to make communities safer, respect victims, and transform lives. No matter what state you call home, you can be part of our federal justice reform campaigns!
ENSURING PROPORTIONAL PUNISHMENT
The FIRST STEP Act was passed to reduce disproportional drug offenses and allow earn time credits to be awarded for program participation. Contact lawmakers to request they fully implement the law and maximize its potential!
ADVANCING CONSTRUCTIVE PRISON CULTURE
Studies have revealed that participation in education programs during incarceration has resulted in a 43% lower recidivism rate. Encourage lawmakers to restore Pell Grant access behind bars to offer hope and higher education to incarcerated men and women.
UNLOCKING
SECOND CHANCES
The Fair Chance Act allows formerly incarcerated individuals to show their talents, skills, & commitment to personal growth as they compete in labor markets. Ask lawmakers to support second chances through this thoughtful approach to criminal justice.
*Statistics generated from reports by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons 2000-2011; Probation and Parole in the United States (2013);Prisoners in 2013, Vera Institute of Justice (The Price of Prisons), 2010 Census, Office of Juvenile Justice and Deliquency Provention 2011 and various department of corrections' websites.