South Carolina families need our lawmakers to act.

We, the undersigned South Carolina residents, families, and concerned citizens, are calling upon the South Carolina Senate, House of Representatives, Governor, and other state leaders to give serious consideration to Senate Bill S.55 and meaningful sentencing reform.

Senate Bill S.55 represents an important opportunity to have a larger conversation about sentencing and release eligibility for certain individuals convicted of drug-related offenses.

This petition is not about excusing crime. It is not about eliminating accountability, and it is not about releasing everyone from prison.

It is about asking a simple question:

Should people who demonstrate genuine rehabilitation, maintain good behavior, complete programs, take responsibility for their actions, and prepare themselves to become productive members of society have a meaningful opportunity to earn a second chance?

We believe the answer should be YES.

Why This Matters

South Carolina families are also concerned about overcrowding within the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC).

Some families have experienced loved ones remaining within the reception and evaluation process at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center for extended periods while awaiting placement. During this time, communication, visitation, telephone access, canteen access, and other privileges or services may be limited.

If South Carolina’s correctional system is experiencing capacity problems, we believe our leaders should examine all responsible solutions—not simply where additional incarcerated people can be housed.

That conversation should include sentencing policy, rehabilitation, earned-release opportunities, reentry programs, appropriate drug-sentencing reform, staffing, institutional capacity, and public safety.

We Are Asking South Carolina Lawmakers To:

Give Senate Bill S.55 a fair hearing and serious consideration.

We ask lawmakers to examine whether South Carolina’s current 85% sentencing requirements should be reformed for appropriate individuals and offenses.

We ask lawmakers to consider earned-release opportunities based upon rehabilitation, good institutional conduct, education, treatment, vocational accomplishments, and other measurable evidence of change.

We ask lawmakers to consider whether appropriate reforms should provide retroactive opportunities for people who are already incarcerated and meet whatever eligibility and public-safety requirements the General Assembly establishes.

We ask state leaders to investigate and address overcrowding and extended stays in reception and evaluation, including what is causing delays in transferring individuals to their assigned institutions.

We ask SCDC to provide families with greater transparency and communication concerning R&E timelines, classification, institutional placement, transfers, visitation, telephone access, and other restrictions.

And we ask South Carolina to continue investing in rehabilitation, education, substance-use treatment, vocational programs, employment preparation, and successful reentry.

Rehabilitation Should Mean Something

Prison should not simply be a place where people count down years.

If rehabilitation is truly one of the goals of corrections, people should have meaningful incentives to change.

Someone who follows the rules, participates in treatment, earns an education, learns a trade, maintains good behavior, accepts responsibility, and demonstrates genuine rehabilitation should have something meaningful to work toward when the law and public safety allow it.

Accountability and second chances can exist at the same time.

Families Are Affected Too

Behind many incarcerated individuals are children waiting for their parents, spouses waiting for their husbands or wives, parents waiting for their children, and families trying to keep relationships together.

These families did not receive a prison sentence, yet incarceration profoundly affects their lives.

We are asking South Carolina’s leaders to listen to these families.

We support public safety.

We support accountability.

We support victims.

And we also support rehabilitation, redemption, fairness, and second chances.

OUR CALL TO ACTION

We respectfully call upon members of the South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives to take action on Senate Bill S.55 and the broader issue of sentencing reform.

Hold hearings.

Listen to affected families.

Examine the 85% requirement.

Address SCDC overcrowding.

Improve conditions and communication during reception and evaluation.

Expand rehabilitation and earned-release opportunities where appropriate.

And create a correctional system that recognizes that people are capable of change.

SIGN this petition.

SHARE it with South Carolina families.

CONTACT your state Senator and Representative.

Together, we can make sure South Carolina lawmakers hear us.

SUPPORT S.55. SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE SENTENCING REFORM. SUPPORT REHABILITATION. SUPPORT SECOND CHANCES.