Charged with the mission of supervising over 20,000 offenders living in the community, the Division of Offender Supervision and Enforcement Services has oversight of all field operations, including regional offices, Interstate Compact Services, Special Operations Unit, Field Programs, Recruitment and Standards, Compliance and Performance.

The Office of Program, Planning and Development facilitates the provision of vital rehabilitative offender programs for mental health and behavioral services, domestic violence counseling, housing procurement and administration of specialized offender programs.

To Prepare, Provide & Protect

During the past fiscal year, SCDPPPS has achieved several significant accomplishments as it strives to fulfill its mission to prepare, provide and protect. The department has significantly reduced the amount of time- from 90 to 45 days- between offender intake and the creation of individualized active supervision plans. Offenders with significant criminogenic needs who are identified as likely to recidivate are required to follow these agency-drafted supervision plans. These important plans guide how these individuals will be supervised while a part of the SCDPPPS offender population.

The department also created an Internal Sex Offender Treatment Program within the Office of Program, Planning and Development. Providing rehabilitative services, this program provides court-ordered counseling to sex offenders. As of September 2024, 59 offenders are enrolled in this 18-month program. Participants meet once a week focusing on goals such as disrupting sexual offending cycles, managing dynamic risk factors and developing pro-social skills. 

In another offender initiative this past fiscal year, the agency distributed 93 breathalyzers to Agents supervising offenders on domestic violence, mental health and sex offender caseloads. Offenders on the domestic violence and sex offender caseloads are required to abstain from alcohol- as substance use can be a major contributing factor to recidivism. 

The department remains committed to accuracy and accountability in all of offender supervision practices and programs. SCDPPPS is currently 1:1 with its distribution of 370 body worn cameras to all caseload Agents, Offender Supervision and Enforcement Services (OSES) supervisory staff, and additional staff during times of emergency. The General Assembly provided $82,937 recurring funds in its FY 24-25 Appropriations Bill for the purchase of body worn cameras. 

Body camera videos help protect Agents and citizens against false accusations, claims of misconduct and abuse. These videos also increase on-the-job transparency for Agent staff, who conducted 86,001 home visits during the past fiscal year alone. On a regular basis, SCDPPPS provides other law enforcement entities with video evidence captured during offender contacts, which can lead to further criminal charges. If this program is underfunded, it would have a direct impact on the public’s trust of law enforcement, would limit the agency’s ability to hold Agents accountable in case supervision, and would reduce public safety. 

2024 also marks the second year of the widely publicized Electronics Detection Canine Program. K-9 Chip, a Golden Retriever-Labrador mix, and his handler, Agent Benjy Partain, assist Probation and Parole Agents in sex offender home searches. The smaller electronics that are uncovered may potentially contain child pornography and can later serve as valuable evidence in court. As of August 30, 2024, K-9 Chip has conducted 243 searches- finding 734 electronic devices that led to 141 violations and 28 new criminal charges. 

Committed to protecting public trust and safety, 86% of sworn agency staff- and 441 total staff- have completed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Supervising offenders in the community and participating in disaster response, the department’s sworn staff can potentially be called upon to assist in emergency situations. These hands-on sessions have provided staff additional skills to help create a safer work environment and community.

During the past fiscal year, SCDPPPS also received its second accreditation award from South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (SCLEA) in March 2024.  The agency’s next reaccreditation review by SCLEA will be in 2027.The department received its initial state accreditation award in March 2021. Having achieved this high honor from SCLEA and national accreditation in 2018 from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) makes SCDPPPS dually-accredited, an achievement attained by only one other state cabinet-level law enforcement agency. These commissions award the highest mark of professional excellence for public safety agencies, reflecting the law enforcement gold standard.

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

Criminal Incarceration and Supervision to Release