Throughout Greenville County, including the major cities of Greenville, Mauldin and Greer, probation and parole supervision is grouped under one agency, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (DPPPS). Supervising officers in South Carolina are designated as Probation and Parole Agents.
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In 2012, the DPPPS supervised 1,858 probationers and 126 parolees in Greenville County, with only 114 of these offenders under supervision for a violent offense. Seventy-six percent of all supervisees were under standard supervision, while 20 percent qualified for high-level supervision and two percent were monitored using intensive supervision. Two percent of all offenders were designated as sex offenders and supervised using specialized techniques. In 2011, 872 cases were closed successfully in Greenville County, while 482 were labeled as unsuccessful closures.
Degree and Training for Probation and Parole Officers in Greenville County,
South Carolina
Candidates for probation and parole agent jobs in Greenville County must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree
- No domestic violence convictions
- Willingness to disclose credit and financial history
- Ability to pass drug test, background investigation, medical exam and psychological screening
Because probation and parole officer jobs in Greenville County are reserved for commissioned peace officers with the authority to arrest and use firearms, candidates must also meet the physical requirements necessary to enter the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. The physical abilities test used to assess trainee physical fitness is a 870 foot obstacle course that involves running, jumping, stair climbing, crawling and dragging a 150 pound weight. If admitted to the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, recruits must complete a rigorous physical fitness regimen as they learn how to become probation/parole officers, as well as courses on:
- Firearms
- Self-defense
- Criminal law
- First aid and CPR
- Constitutional law
- Cultural diversity
Once the BLETP has been completed and peace officer status has been obtained, probation and parole agents must also complete DPPPS training, which will also include instruction on:
- The use of the departmental sidearm, .40 caliber Glock
- Arrest scenarios
- Defensive driving
- Prisoner transport
- Pressure point control tactics
Following the first year, probation and patrol agents must re-qualify with firearms annually to maintain peace officer accreditation.
DPPPS Programs in Greenville County
The Intensive Supervision Program utilizes enhanced surveillance and behavior management tools to monitor offenders and ensure their compliance with the terms of their probation or parole. This type of supervision is typically limited to six months unless extended by a court of the Parole Board. Supervision is conducted by Probation and Parole Agents with a reduced caseload, so that more time and attention may be afforded to these high risk offenders.
DPPPS also manages offenders through the Community Supervision Program. Community Supervision is reserved for offenders who received “No Parole” offenses and complete 85 percent of their allotted period of incarceration. The period of supervision following release is mandated at two years, during which time, any violation may warrant re-incarceration for up to one year.