About PPP

Glossary of Terms

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) is the third largest state law enforcement agency in South Carolina and is charged with the supervision of over 20,000 offenders living in the community placed on probation by the Court, granted parole by the South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons, and enrolled in mandatory release programs. Offenders are supervised according to a wide range of evidence-based, rehabilitative strategies designed to foster successful reentry while protecting public safety.

The Department was created in 1941 with the expectation to maintain high standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability. Our vision is to be recognized nationally as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of offenders, a force for public safety, a leader in victim services and a responsible steward of public funds.

Mission Statement

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.

Value Statement

Our values reflect who we are and the things for which we stand.

Innovation & Performance Excellence
Dignity & Respect
Diversity & Equal Opportunity
Honesty & Integrity
Openness & Teamwork
Accountability

We are committed to demonstrating these guiding principles to ourselves and to those we serve.

Diversity Statement

SCDPPPS values and embraces the uniqueness of its employees and customers.

In an effort to foster an organizational culture of acceptance and inclusiveness, SCDPPPS commits itself to empowering all employees to express their experiences and perspectives in a safe and mutually respectful environment.

To generate enthusiasm in reaching organizational benchmarks of productivity and performance, SCDPPPS supports training and development processes that promote an environment conducive to interaction and the exchange of ideas, thereby building a foundation of cultural competency.

Probation provides basic community supervision to offenders receiving a suspended sentence from the court. They are classified based on their need for services, supervision, and their risk of committing new offenses. The maximum duration of probation cannot exceed five years and offenders must pay a supervision fee based on a sliding scale determined by monthly income. Special conditions may also be imposed to further restrict their freedom, limit movement in the community, add further disciplinary measures, or require rehabilitative services. Violation of any of the standard or special conditions of probation may result in additional sanctions, up to and including revocation action by the court. Probationers represent over 80% of the SCDPPPS offender population.

Paroled offenders living within the community are also supervised by SCDPPPS. These offenders are released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections by the Board of Paroles and Pardons to finish serving their sentences outside of prison, subject to certain conditions. Offenders are classified supervised based on their need for services and risk of committing new offenses.

Pardoned individuals have been granted full forgiveness from all the legal consequences of his or her crime and conviction – direct and collateral – including the punishment, whether imprisonment, fine, or whatever penalty is provided for by law. After reviewing a pardon application, the Board of Paroles and Pardons determines an individual's eligibility.

SCDPPPS supervises these offender populations and many others in order to ease the reentry process and rehabilitate justice-involved individuals toward becoming productive members of the society.