The Division of Victim Services | South Carolina Department of Corrections

Murder Wall — Honoring the memories of murder victims
Domestic Violence Assistance
Service for Crime Victims / Inmate Status Inquiries
Register for Notification
Special Requests
Victim Speakers Bureau

For more information, contact:
Division of Victim Services
South Carolina Department of Corrections
P. O. Box 21787
Columbia, South Carolina 29221
(803) 896-1733 or 1-800-835-0304
VictimServices@doc.sc.gov

Services for Crime Victims / Inmate Status Inquiries

South Carolina VINE

1.866.727.2846

Victim Information and Notification Everyday

This automated inquiry service is free and available to the public. Crime victims and concerned citizens can call this toll-free telephone number anytime to find an offender's current location and projected release dates. Crime victims can register to receive notifications concerning a particular offender by calling the Division of Victim Services, toll-free, at 1-800-835-0304. The automated service is available in both English and Spanish, and callers can search for an offender by using the offender number*, the SID number, or by using the offender's name. Additionally, operators are always available to help callers.
*The offender number is also called the SCDC Number or the Inmate Number.

Register For Notification

See below to read important information regarding victim registration and the importance of registering for notification. Please call the Division of Victim Services at 803-896-1733 or 1-800-835-0304, and have a form mailed to you. Unfortunately, we do not currently support online victim registration, but we are working to have this option available in the future.

The Importance of a Victim Impact Statement

The Division of Victim Services is responsible for processing all Victim Impact Statements received from the various Solicitor's Offices in South Carolina and also those sent in directly from the victims of crime. The Victim Impact Statement, a recognized legal document, provides the victim with a vehicle to describe the crime and recount the extent of harm inflicted by the criminal act. A written Victim Impact Statement, filed in the offender's record at the Department of Corrections, can be a powerful voice for the victim. Make your voice heard by filing a victim impact statement!

Upon receipt of a victim impact statement or a request for registration, the request is verified and eligibility criteria are checked. A search is conducted for the correct offender, and the victim data are entered into a secure, computerized data bank. A confirmation letter is sent to the victim, and the internal victim record is established.

A registered victim, witness, or victim family member is entitled by law to be notified when the convicted offender receives a temporary, provisional, or final release from custody, or if the offender escapes from custody. The action to register is the responsibility of the person wanting notification. That person must provide the Department of Corrections with their name, address and telephone number. That information must be updated as changes occur. You must contact the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to register for notification of parole hearings. That toll-free number is 1-888-551-4118. The Department of Corrections does not schedule or conduct parole hearings.

Who Can Register?

Victim: Victim refers to a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as the result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime against that person. The term "victim" also includes the person's spouse, parent, child, or lawful representative of a crime victim who is a minor child, who is incompetent, who was a homicide victim or who is physically or psychologically incapacitated as a result of the crime. If you are not the direct victim of the crime, please provide your relationship to the victim in the appropriate space on the victim impact statement.

Witness: A witness may also register for notification if the witness is a person who has been or was expected to be summoned to testify for either the prosecution or the defense, or who by reason of having relevant information was subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution or defense, whether or not any action or proceeding was commenced.

The Department of Corrections provides notification for:

Community Labor Crew Placement
Work Program Placement
Institutional Transfers
Parole Hearings For Victims of Inmates Sentenced Under the Youthful Offender Act
Sexually Violent Predator Act Review
Early Release To Supervised Furlough II Program
Completion of Prison Sentence
Court Ordered Releases
Escape and Recapture
Death of Inmate

South Carolina has a constitutional amendment pertaining to the rights of crime victims.

The South Carolina Code of Laws requires the department to provide a notice of release-- a temporary, provisional or final release from custody--and to provide a notice of escape. Additionally, for registered victims who have provided a home telephone number to the department, the South Carolina Automated Victim Notification System is used to provide notifications of transfers between facilities.

The notification program is designed to offer information to the registered victim and, where appropriate, to allow for the victim's inclusion in the decision-making process.

The automated notification system calls registered victims following an offender’s transfer from one facility to another. Notices of release from custody are provided by letter. Personal telephone calls are immediate with information about an escape and the subsequent apprehension. Special attention is provided to victims during the time the offender is on escaped-status.

These procedures meet all American Correctional Association accreditation standards.

*It is important to note that the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, a separate agency from the Department of Corrections, is responsible for notifying a registered victim when the inmate is scheduled to come before the parole board. That agency can be reached toll free at 1-888-551-4118.

Special Requests

The Division of Victim Services handles all special requests by those victims of crime who are registered with the Agency. Types of special requests include, but are not limited to, requests to block personal telephone numbers from being dialed by inmates and also requests to block inmates from sending unwanted mail.

Complaints are received and acted on. All inquiries are answered by telephone or letter. The installation of a toll-free telephone line provides easier access to the agency for victims and their families. Whatever the question, concern or fear is, victims are encouraged to call the toll-free number to talk directly with a victim advocate.

Victim Speakers Bureau

The Impact of Crime Program is in need of speakers. If you or a loved one are a victim of crime and would like to share your story, please contact Victim Services.

The following highlights how the Division of Victim Services is committed to victims:

The Agency manages the South Carolina Automated Victim Information and Notification System (SC VINE) to provide automated telephone notification calls to registered victims and to provide a toll-free automated inquiry line that allows victims to check on an offender’s status at any time of the day or night.
Face-to-face media interviews and photographs of inmates have been stopped so as not to glamorize the crimes of the offenders, and not to re-victimize the victims and their family members.
Violent offenders have been removed from community-based programs such as work release.
The Impact of Crime Program was implemented in 1998 to promote offender accountability. This program is available to all SCDC institutions.
Prior to offender placements in local detention facilities, each registered victim is contacted for input and concurrence.
Home-visit furloughs have been stopped.
Inmate organizations are required to give 15 percent of their fundraising proceeds to victim service organizations or to a charity.
Work-release inmates are assessed 20 percent of their gross wages. Those assessments are directed toward funding the Agency’s Division of Victim Services and toward the Victim Assistance Program that awards grants to victim-service organizations.
Prison industries inmates are assessed 20 percent of their gross wages for the Victim Compensation Fund that awards financial assistance to crime victims, according to state law.
The sale of confiscated inmate jewelry has raised more than $12,000, which was given to the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN) for victim scholarships and also to the South Carolina Coalition for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCADVASA) for transitional housing.

Grayscale image of a person sitting down's silhouette with the words: Sexual Assault: You are not to blame. You are not alone. Help is available.

Image of a child holding a teddy bear walking up steps to a tall building with the words: Justice for all... even victims!

Poster of a cartoon face with the words: National Crime Victims' Rights Week; Victims' voices: Silent no more.

Image of a hand sprinkling seeds onto a scale with a plant growing out of the middle with the words: Victims' Rights: Planting seeds. Harvesting justice.

Other Points of Interest

With regard to executions, special briefings are held with the victim's families following the SC Supreme Court's order to carry out an execution. With the uniqueness of this event, special procedures are in place and thoughtful attention is given to execution witnesses. The South Carolina Code of Laws now allows three of the victim's family representatives to witness the execution. This change is a result of the efforts of the Department of Corrections working with the General Assembly.

The SC Code of Laws was amended in 1991 to allow for greater protection of victim records and thus provide confidentiality. This legislation gives privileged status to the address and telephone numbers of victims registered with the Agency.

Assaulted Employees

Also important are services to employees assaulted on the job. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a program that was established to provide support services to staff who have been assaulted and/or otherwise experience trauma. There are several levels of support that are being implemented within the CISM Program. While not all of these services are yet available, they continue to be established at this time and are in varying states of implementation projected over the coming months and years. CISM currently provides peer support and group intervention services.

Conclusion

The South Carolina Department of Corrections has learned that including victims in its decision-making process is not problematic and has had a positive effect. The department also learned that having a Division of Victim Services provides wardens and institutional staff a referral resource so their time can be better spent on matters of security and operation of the institution. The victim services staff is trained to handle inquiry calls, letters, and special requests.

The Impact of Crime Program is a structured classroom curriculum which causes the offenders to put themselves in the place of the victim, and it serves to bring about a greater understanding of the pain and suffering caused by crime. Actual crime victims are invited to speak to the classes, and speakers are currently needed. To inquire or volunteer, contact the Division of Victim Services.

In September, 1998, the S. C. Department of Corrections began The Impact of Crime Program. This is a structured classroom curriculum which causes the offender to put himself in the place of the victim and brings about a greater understanding of the pain and suffering caused by crime. The Impact of Crime Program covers 13 crime-specific modules and uses a crime victim speaker at the closing of each module. The program can be found in both young offender and adult male institutions, as well as the female institutions. The program involves a cooperative effort among three divisions within the Department of Corrections: Education, Victim Services and Young Offender Services, which manages the Impact of Crime Program. The Agency is very proud of the staff who have contributed to making this program a success.

If you would like to be a speaker, please contact Victim Services at VictimServices@doc.sc.gov or (803) 896-1733 or (800) 835-0304.

Meet Flossy, the incredible trauma dog making a positive difference within the S.C. Department of Correction! Flossy is not your ordinary dog; she is a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix and a highly trained professional. Working alongside the Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Support program within the Division of Victim Services, Flossy is here to lend a helping paw to those in need.

Trained by the S.C. Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, or PAALS for short, Flossy has developed an exceptional skill set. She has the remarkable ability to identify when someone has experienced trauma or is feeling stressed. Just like a furry superhero, Flossy springs into action to provide much-needed relief.

Flossy's primary role is to assist SCDC employees and victims of crimes who have faced assault or trauma. By applying gentle pressure on specific points of the body, similar to the technique used by acupuncturists, she helps alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation. Flossy knows exactly how to bring comfort and support to those who need it most.

What makes Flossy truly remarkable is that she is the first dog in the entire country to work within a prison system, offering her unique services to both staff and victims. This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates the dedication and innovation of the S.C. Department of Correction in addressing the emotional well-being of its community.

With her wagging tail and kind eyes, Flossy brings a sense of calm and reassurance to those who have experienced unimaginable hardships. Her friendly nature and ability to connect with people make her an invaluable member of the team, spreading hope and healing wherever she goes.

She will be here ready to lend a helping paw to those who find themselves in a stressful or traumatic situation within the S.C. Department of Correction and reminding all of us that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Charlie, shown sitting on the right, is the new addition to the trauma dog team.

Contact Info

South Carolina Department of Corrections
Post Office Box 21787
Columbia, South Carolina 29221
(803) 896-1733 or toll-free 1-800-835-0304
VictimServices@doc.sc.gov

Name	Email	Services
Karin Ho, Director	ho.karin@doc.sc.gov	Victim Inquiries Special Requests Assistance During Executions SC VINE Program Victim Offender Dialogue Program (VOD)
(Vacant), Administrative Coordinator		Division Director Assistant Victim Inquires YOPRS Inquires
Portia Quiller, Program Coordinator	quiller.portia@doc.sc.gov	Victim Inquiries Special Requests Victim Registration & Notification Sexually Violent Predator Act Inquiries
Sharon Gaddist, Special Programs	gaddist.sharon@doc.sc.gov	Young Offender Parole & Reentry Services Liaison Victim Wraparound Program Victim Offender Dialogue Program (VOD) Victim Inquiries Restitution Victim Registration & Notification
Sara Damaske, Restorative Justice Programs Coordinator	Damaske.Sara@doc.sc.gov	Battering Intervention Facilitator Victim Offender Dialogue Program (VOD) Victim Inquiries
(Vacant), Program Manager		Impact of Crime Program Violence Prevention Program Apology Letter Program Speakers Bureau Victim Inquiries
Marisa Perry, Program Manager	perry.marisa@doc.sc.gov	Battering Intervention Program Victim Inquiries
Norma Warlick, Administrative Assistant	warlick.norma@doc.sc.gov	Victim Registration Victim Inquiries Victim Address Updates Release Notifications Sexually Violent Predator Act Notifications
Dennis Patterson, Jr., Administrative Specialist	Patterson-jr.Dennis@doc.sc.gov	Victim Registration Victim Inquiries Victim Address Updates Release Notifications
Janice Greene, Administrative Assistant	greene.janice@doc.sc.gov	Victim Registration Victim Inquiries Victim Address Updates Release Notifications

SC VINE Program web page

Name	Email	Services
Sherry Rhodes, Manager	rhodes.sherry@doc.sc.gov	Directs SC VINE Program Technical assistance to Detention Centers, prison camps, city jails, SCDC, SCDPPPS, and SCDJJ Provides Training Public Speaking Engagements

Name	Email	Services
Christina Charles, Program Administrator	charles.christina@doc.sc.gov	Directs CISM Program Provides clinical support and guidance Provides direct services to staff who have experienced trauma Provides training Designs and directs CISM-related research project Collaborates with SCLEAP to provide services to staff
Laticia Chandler, Program Manager	chandler.laticia@doc.sc.gov	Coordinates CISM services, activities, and functions Provides training Develops CISM-related research Coordinates Post Critical Incident Seminars (PCIS) for the agency Coordinates with SCLEAP to provide services to staff
(Vacant), CISM Administrative Assistant		Answers and monitors CISM telephone calls Maintains CISM data Tracks and manages CISM purchases and budget Schedules and maintains CISM training documentation Monitors and documents all CISM activities