Search Results

By: Megan Powell, Staff Attorney If I had a dollar for each of my clients that didn't know they could vote after a criminal conviction in South Carolina, I would be on an island somewhere warm. And I would still exercise my right to vote (and you should, too). The right to vote is one of the most crucial tools we, as American citizens, have in our toolkits for change. It is our way of choosing who speaks on our behalf. Who writes the laws that decide whether someone will serve a mandatory minimum sentence if they are convicted of a crime? The people we elect. Who writes the laws that establish which things on a rap sheet can be expunged? The. People. We. Elect. Now that I've got your attention, let me get straight to the point. Generally, if you have ever been convicted of a crime in South Carolina, and you are finished serving your sentence (including probation or parole), you can re-register to vote right now. Yes, right now! As soon as you finish serving your entire sentence, your right to vote is automatically restored. All you have to do is re-register. Now, there are some caveats-- for example, you must have a valid driver's license or State ID to vote in South Carolina-- but if you have the necessary documents, you can literally register to vote online by clicking these words right here. Sometimes, you might be asked to provide proof of completing your sentence. If you were on probation or parole and completed your term of supervision, you can get documentation from SCDPPPS stating that. For more information on the process of registering to vote in South Carolina, visit SCVotes.org or click here to download the Voter Registration form, which may be submitted in person or by mail. Why should I care about voting? Well, if you get to your voting location at a reasonable time, it can actually be really fun to exercise your civic duty. Beyond that, elections serve purposes greater than just electing the people who make our laws. Sometimes you might be asked to vote for referendums such as the 2023 Spartanburg County Referendum to implement a 1% sales tax to re-pave the County's roads. These election questions are often overlooked, but they directly impact you as a citizen! Further, there is a sort of symbolic beauty in formerly incarcerated South Carolinians, who are routinely overlooked and ignored by society, showing up to the polls by the dozen. System-impacted folks are too often silenced and relegated to the edge of society. Voting is one small but powerful way to break free of these chains and use your voice. So South Carolina's voting laws are perfect? Not by a long shot... but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop encouraging eligible people to get out and vote. One of the biggest hurdles to re-registering that I see is money -- people who might be on administrative probation merely because they still owe money that they don't have. And when you break down the demographics of who is disenfranchised (can't vote) in South Carolina, there are a disproportionate number of black South Carolinians who are affected. There are always improvements to be made, and here at Time Served we plan to keep pushing for these improvements. See you at the box! Chances are that when this post goes live, it will be too late for many of you to re-register to vote this year, and for that I am sorry. However, the beauty of democracy is that you get another chance next year, or the year after, or the year after that. Your actions today will directly impact the choices you have in the future. In South Carolina, you must be registered (or re-registered) to vote at least 30 days before the next election in order to vote in that election. I hope to see many more of you turning out in the future and casting your votes. If you try re-registering to vote and encounter issues related to your system involvement, please contact our office for assistance. If you enjoyed this post, please consider subscribing to our Newsletter, or supporting our work through donations. About the author: Megan Powell is a South Carolina native, and a staff attorney and co-founder of Time Served. She offers a variety of direct legal services to clients who are currently incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. Click here to learn more about Megan.

In the News - Second Chance Day 2025 < Back Apr 25, 2025 On April 24, 2025, Time Served and other members of the South Carolina Justice Partners hosted Second Chance Day at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, SC. Executive Director Allison Elder spoke during the coalition's press conference. “We hope this day will encourage more collaboration between local communities, non-profits, and system partners,” said Executive Director Allison Elder. “We want to turn barriers to reentry into opportunities for a second chance for South Carolinians, and we believe our community is safer when we do so.” NEWS COVERAGE: 'Formerly incarcerated South Carolinians push for reform at State House' (ABC NEWS4) NEWS COVERAGE: 'Formerly incarcerated and lawmakers gather for Second Chance Day' (WACH FOX57) South Carolina is one of 24 states that recognizes April as Second Chance Month. Previous Next

Time Served Hosts "Reawakening Hope" < Back Megan Powell Mar 9, 2024 “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” - Desmond Tutu For people serving life with parole sentences in South Carolina, the hope for release on parole dwindles with every passing day. South Carolina currently has one of the lowest parole rate grants in the entire country , and as a result, some of the people who deserve release the most are being kept in prison. “I know for a fact I will never violate the law again. I’d be a fool to come back here if given a chance for parole,” said a currently incarcerated person. On February 19th, Time Served hosted Reawakening Hope—a collaborative event aimed at energizing and motivating advocates from all over South Carolina who care about sentencing, parole, and reentry reform, and providing a glimmer of hope for the people who are currently incarcerated in South Carolina. “This is the first time I’ve seen this,” said Jerry Blassingame, Founder and Executive Director of Soteria CDC. “I’ve been out 25 years, and this is the first time that I’ve seen formerly incarcerated people in a room getting ready to organize.” Photos courtesy of Isaac Ellison, Time Capsule Media, LLC. Time Served is extremely grateful for Mr. Ellison's donation of his time and services in covering this event. The crowd was comprised of a record-breaking number of formerly incarcerated advocates, loved ones of currently incarcerated people, and colleagues from local and national organizations, including: · The Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth; · Families Against Mandatory Minimums; · South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; · University of South Carolina School of Law; · Justice360; · South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center; · Soteria CDC; · JumpStart; · FreshStart Visions 5.0; · And more. In addition to hearing stories of hope and change from formerly incarcerated advocates, we discussed the 2024 policy priorities of the SCJP, which include reforming South Carolina’s broken parole and compassionate release systems, eliminating juvenile life without parole, and passing Ban the Box legislation. Previous Next

Learn about Time Served's Systems-Change Advocacy efforts, working to reform the justice system and create lasting change for individuals impacted by incarceration. Systems-Change Advocacy At Time Served, we’re committed to reshaping the criminal justice landscape in South Carolina. Our work goes beyond individual representation; we advocate for system-wide change to correct injustices and create pathways for a fairer legal system. Innovative Legal Advocacy Our team doesn’t just work within the boundaries of current laws; we think outside the box, developing creative legal strategies to help our clients achieve their goals. However, even the most innovative representation is still shaped by the limits of existing legal frameworks. That’s why we’re proud to be part of South Carolina Justice Partners, a coalition of organizations and advocates working together to push for systemic change. Legal Support for System-Impacted Advocates Within the Justice Partners, Time Served functions as “legal tech support” for system-impacted advocates and reentry-focused organizations. Our role is to provide legal insights and support to those on the front lines, advocating for meaningful reform. We host and participate in events to bridge the gap between law and advocacy, including: Educational Events We help individuals and organizations understand the legal landscape, empowering them to be more informed advocates. Major Initiatives We host and participate in events that bring together community members, advocates, and legal professionals to envision a brighter future for justice in our state, such as our landmark event Reawakening Hope in February 2024. Visionary Legal Drafting In collaboration with advocates, we’re committed to envisioning and drafting laws and policies that will promote fairness and equity within the justice system. Amicus Briefing Support Time Served is honored to provide amicus curiae (friend of the court) support in cases that have the potential to set significant precedents affecting the system-involved population. Through amicus briefs, we bring critical perspectives to the court that highlight the broader implications of a ruling, advocating for justice on a systemic level. Building a Future of Justice Time Served believes that meaningful change is possible when we work together. By partnering with community advocates, reentry organizations, and the broader legal community, we aim to create pathways to justice and bring about lasting change. Together, let’s reimagine what justice can be. Are you an organization or advocate interested in joining forces with us? We’re always open to collaborations that drive our shared goal of a more just legal system. To connect with us on our systems-change work, please reach out to our Executive Director, Allison Elder, via email at aelder@timeserved-sc.org . Contact Us Today