2011 - South Carolina Association of Counties

POLICY POSITIONS
Public Safety, Corrections and Judicial
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CORRECTIONS
Since midyear 2008, jail occupancy has increased 0.7% with 5,382 more inmates in
custody. In 2009, South Carolina ranked 15 th in the country for the number of
inmates under the age of 18.
There must be an equitable relationship between the state and the counties for the
growing demands of adult and juvenile incarceration. The “get tough on crime”
policies enacted in recent years have compounded the problems of jail overcrowding,
insufficient staffing, inadequate funding and increased violence. Continual expansion
and construction of jails are poor and unacceptable answers to jail overcrowding.
The state and federal governments must provide financial support and alternatives
to incarceration if we are to make any headway in the criminal justice system.
Accepting State Prisoners in a Timely Manner – Support legislation to codify the existing temporary
budget proviso so that there is no question as to the responsibilities of the S.C. Department of Corrections
in accepting their newly-sentenced inmates. Continue to support a proviso in the State Budget Bill that
provides necessary funding to DOC so that they can expeditiously accept and process newly-sentenced
inmates who are awaiting transfer from local jails as required by state law.
Assaults on Public Employees – Support legislation to reinstate sections of law repealed in the Sentencing
Reform Act that provide harsher penalties for assault on correctional facility employees, EMS providers,
firefighters and home healthcare workers.
Autopsies on Out-of-State Inmates – Support legislation to amend § 17-7-10 to provide that private care
facilities are responsible for the cost of autopsies performed on inmates in their care.
Driving under Suspension – Support legislation to amend § 56-1-460(A)(1)(c) to provide that the penalty
for conviction of a third or subsequent offense of driving under suspension be a $1,000 fine and imprisonment
for up to 90 days, or a $2,000 fine and home detention for up to 90 days.
Keeping State Prisoners in County Jails – Keeping state prisoners in county facilities is another
example of an unfunded state mandate, using local resources to solve a state problem. Oppose any attempt
by the state to require counties to keep state prisoners sentenced longer than 90 days. The state needs to
take the lead and support alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders.
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