SCDC | South Carolina Department of Corrections

YOUNG OFFENDER PAROLE & REENTRY SERVICES

OVERVIEW:
The Division of Young Offender Parole and Reentry Services (YOPRS) encompasses both institution- and community-based services for male and female offenders sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act (YOA). Those who are eligible must be less than 25 years of age at the time of conviction and have no previous YOA convictions. The types of eligible convictions are limited to non-violent, Class D felonies or lesser offenses, punishable by 15 years of imprisonment or less, with, under very limited circumstances, two exceptions: violent second-degree burglary, and lewd act upon a child. A Youthful Offender may apply to have their record expunged if they have no other convictions during the five-year period following completion of their sentence.

Juvenile offenders sentenced by the Family Court that have been incarcerated at SCDC are also served by YOPRS.

MISSION:
The mission of the Division of YOPRS is to reduce recidivism among young offenders by utilizing evidence-based principles/practices that teach accountability, enhance skill development, and promote public safety.

INSTITUTION-BASED SERVICES:

Young Offender Institutional Services (YOIS)
Young Offender Institutional Services (YOIS) works in collaboration with SCDC’s Division of Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse/Mental Health to provide evidence-based programming for young offenders. Services are individualized and include risk assessments that identify individual criminogenic needs as well as assets, and evidence-based programming that promotes the rehabilitative process. Services focus on cognitive restructuring that provides the foundation needed for successful reentry in the community. Programming includes, but is not limited to Criminal Thinking, Impact of Crime, Family Focus, Individual/Group Counseling, Community Meetings, GED Preparation/Testing, Substance Abuse Education/Addictions Treatment, Parenting, Job and Career Skills, Intrapersonal Skills and Life Skills.

Shock Incarceration Program
The Shock Incarceration Program is a 90-day institution-based service designed as an alternative to traditional incarceration. The program diverts young offenders between the ages of 17 to 29 from prison and further criminal activity. The program focus is on personal accountability and character development. It is located at Wateree River Correctional Institution.

In order for an individual to be placed in the Shock Incarceration Program, the sentencing judge must court order a 15-day evaluation to determine medical, emotional and psychological suitability. Eligibility criteria are: order a 15-day evaluation to determine medical, emotional and psychological suitability. Eligibility criteria are:

Must be 17 to 29 years of age upon admission to the SCDC
Must be eligible for parole in two years or less (eight year maximum incarcerated or suspended sentence)
Must not be convicted of a violent offense or a "no parole offense"
Must be serving a first time commitment in a state correctional facility (no prior commitments over 90 days)
Must be physically and mentally suitable

Programming for the Shock Incarceration Program includes, but is not limited to: Daily Physical Training, Community Service Work, GED Preparation/Testing, Impact of Crime, Anger Management, Substance Abuse Education, Parenting, Life Skills, and Group/Individual Counseling. Upon completion of the mandatory 90-day sentence to the Shock Incarceration Program, participants are paroled and supervised in the community by the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES:

Intensive Supervision Services (ISS)
Historically, the recidivism rate for Youthful Offenders released from SCDC has exceeded 50%. The Youthful Offender population was considered to be the most challenging and least successful under parole supervision in the community. In response to this unacceptably high recidivism rate, SCDC implemented a new community supervision service called Intensive Supervision during FY 2011-12.

ISS is based on the nationally-recognized Intensive Aftercare Program (IAP) Model that utilizes evidenced-based practices proven to assist in the reduction of recidivism, improved family and individual functioning, and ensure community safety. It is designed to promote community safety, reduce victimization, and ensure the successful reentry of young offenders back into the community.

Through ISS, an Intensive Supervision Officer (ISO) works in the community and is assigned to each Youthful Offender upon admission at SCDC. Unlike the traditional parole officer, an ISO acts in a proactive manner in the life of each offender under his/her supervision and manages a caseload of no more than 20-25 individuals.

The role of the ISO is multi-faceted but can be captured in the following basic job duties:

Work with SCDC institutions to assess each offender's risk/assets and develop and plan for reentry services
Target and utilize community resources and services to reduce the likelihood of re-offending
Maintain frequent (at least weekly) contact with each offender in the community to ensure a structured and productive daily schedule
Use progressive supervision practices to hold offenders accountable and keep them in the community
Provide an effective blend of intensive surveillance and therapeutic services
Work to ensure that offenders make reparations to their victims and communities, to include paying restitution and performing community service work
Work to ensure that offenders lead crime-free lives and resist gang affiliation

INTENSIVE SUPERVISION ADMINISTRATIVE RELEASE AUTHORITY (ISARA):

YOPRS has the legal authority to conditionally release any Youthful Offender from SCDC. This authority is managed through the ISARA. The ISARA is comprised of a manager and a three-member panel of corrections professionals, to include a victim representative, which considers and approves/disapproves the release of offenders to Intensive Supervision in the community. Recommendations from the affected correctional institution, community and victim(s) are requested and considered in the release process.

The ISARA also considers and approves/disapproves any parole violations that may require an action to revoke an offender’s parole.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If additional information is needed please contact the specific related area below:

Mary Williams, YAIS Program Manager, institution-based services — 803-896-2067 or Williams.Mary2@doc.sc.gov

Monica Watts, Manager of Administration, release and sentencing questions — 803-896-2293 or Watts.Monica@doc.sc.gov

James Meek, Manager of Community Services, community-based services — 803-465-2833 or Meek.James@doc.sc.gov

Lynn McVicker, Low Country Regional Reentry Coordinator (RRC) – 843-708-1919 or McVicker.Lynn@doc.sc.gov for the following counties

Angela Warren, Pee Dee Regional Reentry Coordinator (RRC) — 803-465-2835 or Warren.Angela@doc.sc.gov for the following counties

Kenneth Wagner, Midlands Regional Reentry Coordinator (RRC) — 803-465-2836 or Wagner.Kenneth@doc.sc.gov for the following counties

Steven Little, Upstate Regional Reentry Coordinator (RRC) — 803-457-5721 or Little.Steven@doc.sc.gov for the following counties