Legislators want lockup rules changed in South Carolina

Bill would reserve prison beds for state’s most violent offenders

FEBRUARY 17, 2010 9:14 a.m. (0)

A bill overhauling the state’s criminal justice sentencing system is expected to get its first look by lawmakers by the end of the month.

A bill introduced by state Sen. Gerald Malloy, a Hartsville Democrat who headed the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission, would classify more crimes as violent, allow drug users and other nonviolent criminals to receive probation instead of prison time and allow some geriatric and terminally ill prisoners to be released on special parole.

The bill is designed to reserve the state’s prison beds for its most violent offenders.  Continue reading...

 

Minor offense? No jail time

New prison guidelines would preserve beds for violent

MARCH 30, 2010 7:34 a.m. (0)

South Carolina senators are expected to give final approval today to a bill which overhauls the state’s criminal sentencing guidelines to reduce the number of people sentenced to prison for minor offenses.

The bill, which would then go to the state House of Representatives, would classify more crimes as violent, allow drug users and other nonviolent criminals to receive probation instead of prison time and allow some geriatric and terminally ill prisoners to be released on special parole.

Supporters of the bill, which mirrors recommendations from the South Carolina Sentencing Reform Commission, say the changes would reserve the state’s prison beds for its most violent offenders.  Continue reading...

 

Children, with parents in prison

JULY 19, 2010 6:01 a.m. (2)

They’re the forgotten victims of crime.

Kids like Chardae Anderson, who was 10 when her father was imprisoned for grand theft auto in Mississippi.  Continue reading...