State of South Carolina secondary Archives: on Crime
Russell Fry:
Clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offenders
S.C. Senate Summary: H3601: Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Disorderly Conduct Charges: conditional discharge for first time offenders relating to public disorderly conduct.Analysis by ACU: This
bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.
Veto Message: Criminal history, like all history,
should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information about--a prior arrest for
public disorderly conduct.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; State Rep. Russell Fry voted YES (on overriding veto); Overridden in Senate 38-2-0 on June/25/19.
Source: A.C.U. on South Carolina voting records H3601
Jun 25, 2019
Gary Bauer:
Miranda rights not as important as victim rights
Q. Do you think the Miranda warnings have a place in our criminal justice system? A: What we've done for over 30 years with unelected liberal judges is favor the criminal over the victim.
Now, we all want to observe the Constitution and to follow its provisions. But when the penalty for a policeman's mistake is to put a criminal back out on the street, then we are hurting America; we are hurting our law-abiding citizens.
Source: Republican debate in West Columbia, South Carolina
Jan 7, 2000
Henry McMaster:
Jam cellphone signals inside state prisons
We also face threats from inside our prisons. Today, cell phones are so concealable and available that they have revolutionized criminal activity. With cell phones smuggled inside the prison or secretly thrown over the wall, inmates and
their conspirators on the outside can practice extortion, conduct blackmail, plan and execute "hits," operate drug rings and run any number of fraud schemes.
It is as though they never got caught.Our Department of Corrections is leading the national effort to repeal the federal law which prohibits us from jamming these phone signals.
Until we accomplish that, we must take every action, try every idea and implement any law which will stop these criminals. I ask for your determined assistance.
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to South Carolina legislature
Jan 24, 2018
Henry McMaster:
Invest $100 million in upgrading prisons
We are all aware of the struggles facing the men and women working at our Department of Corrections: contraband, violence, gangs, staffing shortages, health care deficiencies. This must change.
I ask that we invest at least $100 million dollars toward making our prisons safer and more secure, both inside and outside the fence, by replacing and repairing existing infrastructure, facilities and control systems.
Source: 2020 South Carolina State of the State address
Jan 22, 2020
Henry McMaster:
Don't clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offender
S.C. Senate Summary: H3601: Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Disorderly Conduct Charges: conditional discharge for first time offenders relating to public disorderly conduct. Analysis by ACU: This
bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.
Veto Message : Criminal history, like all history,
should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers & other interested parties. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information
about--a prior arrest for public disorderly conduct.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed by Gov. McMaster on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; Veto Overridden in Senate 38-2-0, Roll Call #449 June/25/19.
Source: A.C.U. on South Carolina voting record H 3601
May 28, 2019
Henry McMaster:
Shield companies providing drugs for lethal injection
The Department of Corrections has been unable to carry out the death penalty by lethal injection since 2015 because the companies which make the drugs will not sell them unless their identities are shielded by state law from anti-death penalty
activists. We have no means to carry out a death sentence in South Carolina--and the murderers know it. I ask the General Assembly: fix this. Give these grieving families and loved ones the justice and closure they are owed by law.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address: South Carolina legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Jaime Harrison:
Done with racial profiling, bias, and over-policing
We are done with the racial profiling, bias and over-policing that have plagued our communities for decades. We are tired of lawmakers responding to hate crimes with prayers but no meaningful works.
It is past time to toughen hate crime legislation, end private prisons and cash bail, and train law enforcement officials on implicit bias and ways to deescalate situations instead of immediately resorting to lethal violence.
Source: The Root e-zine on 2020 South Carolina Senate race
Jun 6, 2020
Jaime Harrison:
Bring police and community together to address problems
Harrison: I understand that there are good police out there. But we also understand that there's some bad apples because there's an entire community that is fearful when sometimes a blue light comes behind them because they don't know whether or not
their lives are going. We have to admit that there are some problems in some of our policing right now. And we have to work with our police and the community members to bring folks together in order to work on addressing this problem.
Source: 2020 South Carolina Senate debate (Rev.com transcript)
Oct 3, 2020
Jay Stamper:
Pleaded guilty to three white-collar felony charges in 2006
Stamper pleaded guilty to three felony charges associated with the illegal sale of securities in 2006. Stamper was ordered to repay millions of dollars and said that $600,000 of that came from his own pocket.
Stamper called the incident "a business mistake I made several years ago," and said securities laws are very complicated, and he acted on advice from two teams of lawyers.
"I never meant to hurt anyone. There was no malice. In a way I was reckless, but there were mitigating circumstances," he said. Stamper moved to South Carolina a year ago to run for
Graham's seat, and despite his history, he said he has found most people welcoming.
Source: Spartanburg Herald-Journal: 2014 South Carolina Senate race
Jan 13, 2014
Kevin Bryant:
Build more prisons; support the death penalty
Bryant indicated support of the following principles regarding crime: - Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
- Support the death penalty in South Carolina.
- Implement penalties other
than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
- Restrict sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or public playground.
Source: South Carolina Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Krystle Matthews:
We do need to reimagine the way we do policing
We do need to reimagine the way we do policing. You know, our police have now turned into a little bit of everything from mental health counselors to marriage counselors.
So, I really feel like that's something that is going to take a long time to flesh out, the problem didn't happen overnight and it won't be unraveled overnight.
Source: Charleston City Paper on 2022 South Carolina Senate race
May 5, 2021
Krystle Matthews:
Clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offenders
S.C. Senate Summary:H3601: Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Disorderly Conduct Charges: conditional discharge for first time offenders relating to public disorderly conduct.Analysis by ACU:This
bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.
Veto Message:Criminal history, like all history,
should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information about--a prior arrest for
public disorderly conduct.
Legislative Outcome:Vetoed on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; State Rep. Matthews voted YES to override; Overridden in Senate 38-2-0 on June/25/19.
Source: A.C.U. on South Carolina voting records H3601
Jun 25, 2019
Lindsey Graham:
Capital punishment for child rapists
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today responded to the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision that declares capital punishment to be unconstitutional for child rapists.
"Unfortunately, it appears this session of the Supreme Court has been a winner for child rapists and terrorists," said Graham. "The Court's statement there is a national consensus against the death penalty for cases that do
not result in death is a complete misreading of the American people and their views on child rape.
"We live in a world where predators habitually prey on children and engage in vicious, sadistic behavior.
Some states, like South Carolina, have moved forward to protect children. I'm very disappointed the Supreme Court decided to strike down the good-faith
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2010 South Carolina Senate incumbents
Jul 13, 2008
Lindsey Graham:
I believe in reform but cops need our support more than ever
Q: Do you believe there is systematic racism within law enforcement? Graham: I do not believe that our police are systematically racist. I do believe in police reform. I think the cops need our support now more than ever. I've never known it this
difficult to be a police officer. Cops are under siege. They're being assassinated. I will never ever defund the police. If you need more money for social programs, I'll work with you. But cutting the cops budget puts poor people at risk.
Source: 2020 South Carolina Senate debate (Rev.com transcript)
Oct 3, 2020
Mia McLeod:
Will continue to push for meaningful criminal justice reform
Under my leadership, South Carolina's Crime Victim Compensation Program received national recognition in the areas of fiscal responsibility and expanded access to services. Throughout my career, I've utilized a collaborative, bipartisan,
multidisciplinary approach to help address domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other violent crimes against women and will continue to push for meaningful criminal justice reform.
Source: 2022 South Carolina Governor campaign website MiaForSC.com
Jun 15, 2022
Mia McLeod:
Clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offenders
S.C. Senate Summary: H3601: Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Disorderly Conduct Charges: conditional discharge for first time offenders relating to public disorderly conduct.Analysis by ACU:
This bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.
Veto Message: Criminal history, like all
history, should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information about--a prior
arrest for public disorderly conduct.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; Overridden in Senate 38-2-0 on June/25/19; State Sen. McLeod voted YES to override.
Source: A.C.U. on South Carolina voting records H3601
Jun 25, 2019
Nancy Mace:
Clear record for first time drunk/disorderly offenders
S.C. Senate Summary: H3601: Expanding Employment Opportunities through Expungement of Disorderly Conduct Charges: conditional discharge for first time offenders relating to public disorderly conduct. Analysis by ACU: This
bill is designed to expand employment opportunities by providing individuals convicted of drunk or disorderly conduct offenses a pathway to have the charges expunged from public record.
Veto Message : Criminal history, like all history,
should not be erased. Compassion should not be forced upon unwitting prospective employers & other interested parties. I am unwilling to sign legislation that effectively sanctions an employee failing to acknowledge--or consciously omitting information
about--a prior arrest for public disorderly conduct.
Legislative Outcome: Vetoed on May/28/19; Veto Overridden in House 107-0-15, Roll Call #712 on Jun/25/19; Rep. Mace voted YES to override; Overridden in Senate 38-2-0 on June/25/19.
Source: A.C.U. on South Carolina voting record H 3601
Jun 25, 2019
Nikki Haley:
Save millions by reducing recidivism
[Let's focus on] reforming our adult corrections system and pulling us out of that deficit. [The SC prison director has done] a tremendous job running our prisons at the lowest cost per prisoner in the nation.
My challenge will be to lower the number of inmates that come back into the system. The cost savings to the taxpayers of this state would be substantial. The immediate savings would be approximately $6 million in administrative costs alone.
But the real dollars will come on the back end, with the reduction of our recidivism rate.The state of South Carolina pays more than $16,000 annually to incarcerate a single prisoner. We spend more each year on a prisoner than we do on a student.
Think of the savings we'll realize if we aren't constantly welcoming back behind bars those prisoners who finish out their initial terms. And think of the cultural impact. It's immeasurable.
Source: 2011 South Carolina State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Orrin Hatch:
Appointing conservative judges is more critical than Miranda
Q: Do you think the Miranda warnings have a place in our criminal justice system? A: This involves a congressional enactment after Miranda was upheld by the Supreme Court. [It] basically says that if a person commits a crime and they voluntarily
confess, that confession is admissible into a court of law. That's the way it should be. But the most important single issue in this campaign is. one of us is going to appoint the other 50% [of judges] and up to five Supreme Court justices.
Source: Republican debate in West Columbia, South Carolina
Jan 7, 2000
Thomas Dixon:
Ban the box: let ex-cons get jobs
Criminal Justice Reform:- There needs to be federal legislation to "ban the box" that prevents people with criminal histories from gaining meaningful employment.
-
Sentencing must reflect the severity of the crime against society; we currently have too many folks serving time for minor drug offenses.
Policing: -
Police are the first responders and protectors of our communities and must be protected, but police departments must also have strong bonds with all parts of the communities they serve.
-
We must pass laws that create mechanisms for police accountability that include community oversight.
Source: 2016 South Carolina Senate campaign website DixonForSC.com
Aug 8, 2016
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023