S*1138 Resolution, By Fair, Reese, Ryberg, Rose, S. Martin, Shoopman, Massey, 
Mulvaney, Alexander, Ford, Campbell, Anderson, Campsen, Williams, Grooms, Davis, 
Rankin, Scott, Pinckney, Nicholson, Coleman, Bright, Jackson, Malloy, Thomas and 
Bryant
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENTS OF CORRECTIONS, PROBATION,
 PAROLE AND PARDON SERVICES, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFER FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS
 WITHIN THEIR INSTITUTIONS TO ASSIST THEIR CLIENTS TO ADJUST TO INSTITUTIONAL
 LIFE, BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED, AND REDUCE
 RECIDIVISM.

   02/03/10  Senate Introduced, placed on calendar without reference SJ-27
   02/04/10         Scrivener's error corrected
   02/09/10  Senate Adopted SJ-33

INTRODUCED

February 3, 2010

S. 1138

Introduced by Senators Fair, Reese, Ryberg, Rose, S. Martin, Shoopman, Massey, Mulvaney, Alexander, Ford, Campbell, Anderson, Campsen, Williams, Grooms, Davis, Rankin, Scott, Pinckney, Nicholson, Coleman, Malloy, Thomas, Bright and Jackson

S. Printed 2/3/10--S.    [SEC 2/4/10 2:41 PM]

Read the first time February 3, 2010.

TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENTS OF CORRECTIONS, PROBATION, PAROLE AND PARDON SERVICES, AND JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFER FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR INSTITUTIONS TO ASSIST THEIR CLIENTS TO ADJUST TO INSTITUTIONAL LIFE, BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED, AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

Whereas, the Senate declares that faith-based programs offered in correctional facilities and probation and parole services have the potential to facilitate institutional and community adjustment, help inmates assume personal responsibility, and reduce recidivism; and

Whereas, it is the intent of the Senate that the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice shall continuously: (1) develop community linkages with churches, synagogues, mosques, and other faith-based entities to assist offenders in their release back into the community; (2) increase the number of volunteers who mentor and otherwise minister to offenders from various faith-based entities in the community; and (3) measure recidivism rates for offenders who have participated in religious programs; and

Whereas, the departments shall ensure that any faith component of any program is offered on a voluntary basis and, an offender's faith orientation, or lack thereof, will not be considered in determining admission to a faith-based program and that the program does not attempt to convert an offender toward a particular faith or religious practice. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, request that the Departments of Corrections, Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and Juvenile Justice offer faith-based programs within their institutions to assist their clients to adjust to institutional life, become productive citizens once they are released, and reduce recidivism.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Departments of Corrections, Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, and Juvenile Justice.