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- Amanda Belfiore | Time Served
Amanda Belfiore is a Reentry Legal Services Attorney at Time Served. Meet Our Reentry Legal Services Attorney BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO ABOUT US Amanda Belfiore REENTRY LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY Amanda is originally from Newport News, Virginia. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Global Justice and Policy from James Madison University in 2019 and her J.D. from the Charleston School of Law in 2023. During law school, Amanda served as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, advocating for children in family court, and worked as a Law Clerk helping represent employees in cases involving claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation in the workplace. After graduating, Amanda was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and the South Carolina Bar. Amanda is excited to work with Time Served and continue her commitment to social justice and criminal justice reform.
- Services for Formerly Incarcerated | Time Served
Explore Time Served’s services for formerly incarcerated individuals, including reentry support, legal advocacy, and resources to help rebuild lives and create brighter futures. Services for Formerly Incarcerated Persons Time Served is committed to helping individuals with criminal records overcome the barriers they face. Whether the record is recent or decades old, our team assists in restoring rights, improving stability, and removing obstacles that hinder progress. We provide legal support for record cleaning, family stability, employment, housing, and more. Apply for Services Services for Individuals with Criminal Records Navigating life with a criminal record can bring endless challenges, impacting housing, employment, family relationships, and financial obligations. Time Served offers comprehensive legal assistance in the following areas to support stability and success for those affected by a criminal record: Record Cleaning Assistance with expungements and pardon representation to clear records and restore rights. Family Law Support Legal advice and representation for visitation, custody, and child support, especially when a period of incarceration or a criminal record has complicated family dynamics. Supervision-Related Guidance Help with probation or parole issues, including administrative hearings related to supervision requirements. Driver’s License Reinstatement Assistance in navigating reinstatement processes and overcoming obstacles related to driving privileges. Financial Obligation Management Support for understanding and handling court-imposed financial obligations, including fines, fees, and restitution. Registry Removal and Redress Legal assistance in addressing wrongful or outdated registry requirements, helping to remove unnecessary restrictions under current laws. Key Areas of Focus Our services are targeted toward improving stability in three primary areas: housing, employment, and family. Housing Stability Employment Stability Family Stability Safe and stable housing is essential for rebuilding a life after incarceration. Unfortunately, criminal records often prevent individuals from accessing housing, with 79% of formerly incarcerated people facing denial due to past convictions. Even minor offenses, like disorderly conduct or simple possession, can have a lasting impact on housing eligibility. At our Triune Mercy Center office in Greenville, we work closely with individuals in need of housing support. Join us at Homeless Court on the first Monday of each month to receive guidance and assistance from our team as we help clients navigate the challenges of securing housing with a record. Breaking the cycle of poverty is a cornerstone of our mission. The economic impact of a criminal record is severe, as involvement with the legal system often deepens pre-existing financial struggles. Many formerly incarcerated people find themselves in temporary jobs without benefits or fair wages. Studies show that individuals with criminal records are 50% less likely to receive job callbacks, and only 40% are employed full-time five years post-release. Our record-cleaning services can make a substantial difference. Expunging a record has been shown to increase annual wages by 23%, helping clients move toward economic independence and a more stable future. Keeping families together is critical for community well-being. Nearly half of U.S. children have a parent with a criminal record, and these children often face increased risks of depression, behavioral issues, and poor educational outcomes. Time Served is dedicated to lessening the impact of a criminal record on children and families, helping parents secure the legal assistance they need for reunification and support. Our clients often seek to rebuild relationships with their children and provide a stable home. By addressing family law concerns and improving financial and housing stability, we help parents lay a solid foundation for a better future for themselves and their children. Empowering Change & Restoring Dignity Time Served stands beside those with criminal records, helping them reclaim rights, restore family connections, secure housing, and build a stable life. We believe that every person deserves a second chance to thrive. If you or a loved one needs support, reach out today. Together, we can dismantle barriers and build a bridge forward. Contact Us Today
- Allison Elder | Time Served
Allison Elder is the Executive Director of Time Served. Meet Our Executive Director BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO ABOUT US Allison Elder EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Allison is the Executive Director and co-founder of Time Served. She began her legal services career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow with a reentry legal services nonprofit in South Carolina. Her fellowship focused on family reunification for formerly incarcerated individuals, and she also contributed to the expansion and management of the new team. After completing the two-year fellowship, she stayed on as a Staff Attorney and soon became Legal Services Director, primarily overseeing client services, managing litigation, and building a parole project. Prior to her fellowship, Allison clerked for the Honorable Henry F. Floyd of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In 2023, she had her first opportunity to argue before that Court after winning a Certificate of Appealability in a habeas case. Allison received her J.D. (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif) and an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law with honors from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in 2019. During law school, she interned for Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers at Cabrini Green Legal Aid and was a five-semester clinic student. She worked with the Bluhm Legal Clinic’s Children and Family Justice Center and the MacArthur Justice Center’s Jail Suicide and Prisoners’ Rights clinic teams, each for a full academic year, and also participated in the International Human Rights Clinic for an additional semester. Allison continued with the MacArthur Justice Center as a summer intern, working on prisoners’ rights cases and other civil rights litigation, including a class action challenging the constitutionality of Chicago’s gang database. She also served as a solitary confinement research assistant for the MacArthur Justice Center Appellate Program. During her LL.M. year, Allison explored the intersection of criminal legal systems and civil rights from an international perspective. She conducted senior research on the detention of individuals convicted by international criminal tribunals and externed for the Governance and Justice Group, primarily working on a Justice Audit of Somalia’s criminal legal system. Allison received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mandarin Chinese from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, after which she was a Fulbright Scholar conducting public health research in China.
- Volunteer Opportunities | Time Served
Get involved with Time Served and make a lasting impact! Explore ways to volunteer to support our mission to empower individuals impacted by the justice system. Volunteer With Our Team Join us in our journey for change! At Time Served, we know that change begins with people who care. We invite you to join us as a volunteer and make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families affected by the criminal justice system. Whether you have legal expertise, organizational skills, or a passion for advocacy, your time and dedication can help us advance our mission of supporting second chances and building brighter futures. Volunteering with Time Served offers a unique opportunity to work alongside a team driven by justice and compassion, and every contribution—big or small—plays a role in empowering our community. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to welcome you to our team. Get started by completing our Volunteer Interest Form. Tell Us About Your Interest
- Volunteer Interest Form | Time Served
Volunteer Interest Form Thank you for your interest in helping us end the cycle of mass incarceration for South Carolinians. Please complete the following interest form to let us know how you would like to get involved. Please note that our volunteer opportunities are need-based, meaning we are not able to provide consistent ongoing volunteer hours for every person. Personal Information First name* Last name* Contact Information Email* Phone* Address* Volunteer Interest Areas What are you interested in helping with? Select all that apply.* As a pro bono attorney As an event volunteer Administrative Office Support Other Legal Support Development Support Storytelling & Design Support Technology & Digital Support Other I am available to volunteer (please select all that apply):* In-office, during the work day (between 9 AM and 5 PM) Remote, during the work day (between 9 AM and 5 PM) Remote, outside the work day (weekends, before 9 AM, or after 5 PM) Other Please give us some more details about your availability. Confirm if you have access to the following (select all that apply):* Internet Private computer (with video capability) Cell phone Private place to work (if speaking to clients via phone or video conference) Please share a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in volunteering with Time Served. * Time Served Volunteer Confidentiality Policy Time Served's Confidentiality Policy Click Here to Read (Required) By checking this box, I confirm I have read and understand Time Served's Confidentiality Policy and pledge not to disclose confidential information. * Submit
- Megan Powell | Time Served
Megan Powell, Esq. is the Deputy Director of Time Served. Meet Our Deputy Director BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO ABOUT US Megan Powell DEPUTY DIRECTOR Megan is the Deputy Director and co-founder of Time Served. A proud Spartanburg native, Megan has always believed in the promise of a better South Carolina—one where dignity and second chances are part of the legal system. Megan graduated with honors in Political Science from Converse University in 2019, then earned her J.D. from the Charleston School of Law in 2022. While in law school, she logged over 120 hours of pro bono service advocating for indigent clients and working with the ACLU’s Criminal Justice & Policy team. There, she saw firsthand how incarceration creates barriers that can last long after release, and committed to dismantling them. Her work earned her the Woman of the Year award for her dedication to social justice and empowerment. She also gained experience clerking at a civil litigation firm in Greenville. After law school, Megan was admitted to the South Carolina Bar and began her legal career as a Staff Attorney with a reentry legal services nonprofit, where she provided legal support to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals across the state—from parole hearings to medical advocacy and everything in between. Today, Megan helps lead Time Served's mission by providing direct legal services to hundreds of clients and advocating for justice and reentry support. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her three younger brothers and two goddaughters, who keep her on her toes. She is a passionate hockey fan (go Red Wings!), an amateur baker, and the resident jokester in her book club. Bar Admissions and Memberships: State of South Carolina South Carolina Bar, Young Lawyer's Division South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Time Served Collaborates with FCC to Host Public Commentary Event | Time Served
Time Served Collaborates with FCC to Host Public Commentary Event < Back Shirene Hansotia Feb 1, 2024 Your voice matters! Twenty years ago, a grandmother in Washington, DC wrote a letter to the FCC requesting they look into the steep cost of prison phone calls. At the time, Ms. Wright-Reed was struggling with many serious underlying health issues and subsisting on a meager budget. She faced difficult decisions, often forsaking paying for all of her necessary medications in order to have the funds to speak to her incarcerated grandson. Last year, legislation was passed in her name. The recently adopted Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 directs the FCC to adopt just and reasonable in-state communication rates between incarcerated people and their loved ones. On February 1, 2024, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and former FCC acting chairwoman and member Mignon Clyburn traveled to North Charleston, South Carolina to hold a listening session, gathering testimony from four formerly incarcerated men and women with lived experience trying to maintain familial relationships by phone while incarcerated. These four participants spoke eloquently about their experiences in federal and state prisons, struggling to maintain contact with loved ones, and often having to choose between food or phone calls. They also described frequent dropped calls and a severe shortage of phones within prison facilities, making communication very difficult. "For too many years, families and friends of incarcerated people have struggled with the outrageous costs charged for communicating with their loved ones,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “The FCC has long fought this problem using our existing rules, but they limited us to regulating interstate rates. Thanks to Congress and the President, this new law gives the FCC new authority to oversee state rates. I hope my colleagues will support me in taking the next steps to lowering the cost of prison phone bills so that incarcerated people can affordably stay connected with families and loved ones.” The FCC is still accepting public comment regarding incarcerated people's communication services . To file an express comment: Go to www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express Indicate the docket number of the proceeding as "23-62" and "12-374" Add your name, basic contact information, and type your brief comments. Check the box at the bottom of the form acknowledging that you are filing a comment into an official FCC proceeding. After submitting your comments, press "Continue to review screen," review your filing, and then press "Submit." Time Served was grateful to collaborate with the FCC and #Turn90 in bringing voices to speak about the high costs of communication in prisons in South Carolina. Previous Next
- About Us | Time Served
Learn about Time Served’s mission to support individuals impacted by the justice system. We provide advocacy, resources, and opportunities to help build brighter futures. About Us Our Story Time Served was founded in 2023 by a team of passionate women lawyers with combined decades of experience in the criminal legal system. Time Served is a South Carolina-grown legal aid organization designed to meet the needs of those most impacted by mass incarceration in our state. Our clients have already overcome immense hurdles, survived traumas, and are ready to be wholly restored to the community. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing legal services and systems-change advocacy for South Carolinians with prior criminal system involvement. Our clients’ needs vary, from record cleaning for old charges that are still holding them back and family reunification assistance after incarceration, to medical release or parole representation after decades in prison. Time Served provides legal services free of charge, because we believe that finding the money to hire a lawyer shouldn’t be another barrier that system-impacted people have to overcome in order to break free of the cycle of mass incarceration. OUR MISSION Our Mission Our mission is to rebuild lives, restore freedoms, and reunite individuals deeply impacted by the criminal justice system through compassionate legal advocacy and thoughtful systemic reform. OUR TEAM Our Team Allison Elder EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR More About Allison Susannah Ross CHIEF COUNSEL, INNOCENCE DIVISION More About Susannah Amanda Belfiore REENTRY LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY More About Amanda Debbie Kasle VOLUNTEER More About Debbie Megan Powell DEPUTY DIRECTOR More About Megan Ana Walker SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY, INNOCENCE DIVISION More About Ana Ndayishimiye "Flo" Florence DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE More About Flo Kaylie Stapleton VOLUNTEER PARALEGAL More About Kaylie
- Community Clinics | Time Served
Community Clinics At Time Served, we are committed to making justice accessible to everyone in our state. That's why we proudly work with community partners to host Community Legal Clinics . Scroll down to view the schedule, find a clinic near you, and sign up to attend. Upcoming Clinics
- Anastasia Walker | Time Served
Ana Walker is a Senior Staff Attorney in the Innocence Division of Time Served. Meet Our Senior Staff Attorney of the Innocence Division BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO ABOUT US Ana Walker SENIOR STAFF ATTORNEY, INNOCENCE DIVISION Ana Walker, previously the Chair of the Time Served Board of Directors from March 2024 to May 2026, is now our new Senior Staff Attorney of the Innocence Division. In her role, Ana will directly represent clients with credible claims of actual innocence or wrongful conviction in post-conviction litigation in state and federal courts. Before joining as a staff member, Ana served as an Assistant Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Greenville, South Carolina. She also previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for the 5th Judicial Circuit in Columbia, as a civil legal aid lawyer with South Carolina Legal Services, and as a reentry legal services director and attorney. Over her 13+ years spent as a criminal defense lawyer, Ana started to understand how much American history—including events that occurred over 150 years ago, such as Reconstruction after the Civil War and the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution— continues to maintain the vast disparities within the criminal legal system. Today, people of color and minorities routinely suffer discrimination at the hands of law enforcement, the courts, and the legislature. Ana hopes her advocacy makes even a small impact towards widespread systemic change. Ana wholeheartedly supports Time Served’s mission and work of improving the lives of currently and formerly incarcerated improves the lives of ALL South Carolinians.
- Referrals | Time Served
Partner Referral Form This form is for approved agency and organization partners only. If you work at one of our partner agencies or organizations and need to refer a client to Time Served, you're in the right place. Please complete the form below to submit your referral. Who can use this form: This form is exclusively for staff at our approved partner agencies and organizations who are submitting a referral on behalf of someone they serve in a professional capacity. Who cannot use this form: We do not accept submissions from: Individuals seeking services for themselves Family members, friends, or community members referring someone they know personally Staff at agencies or organizations that are not on our approved partner list Anyone submitting a general inquiry about our services Submissions that fall outside our partner referral process will not receive a response. Looking for services for yourself or someone you know personally? Time Served has application guidelines and instructions for non-referred applicants here . Interested in becoming a partner organization? If your agency or organization would like to learn about becoming an approved referral partner, please email Megan Powell, Deputy Director, at MPowell@tsscnow.org — do not use this form.
- Accessibility Statement | Time Served
Read Time Served’s Accessibility Statement to learn how we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all visitors to our website. Accessibility Statement Measures to Support Accessibility Time Served takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of Time Served: Integrate accessibility into our procurement practices. Ensure that our website meets accessibility guidelines. Conformance Status The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA. Time Served is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard. Feedback We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of Time Served. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers on Time Served: Phone: (864) 546-5060 E-mail: info@tsscnow.org Visitor Address: Triune Mercy Center, 222 Rutherford Street, Greenville, SC 29609 Postal Address: P.O. Box 615, Taylors, SC 29687 We try to respond to feedback within 2 business days. Technical Specifications Accessibility of Time Served relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer: HTML CSS JavaScript These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used. Limitations and Alternatives Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of Time Served , there may be some limitations. Below is a description of known limitations, and potential solutions. Please contact us if you observe an issue. Assessment Approach Time Served assessed the accessibility of Time Served by the following approaches: Self-evaluation Formal Complaints Please contact Time Served at info@tsscnow.org . Formal Approval of this Accessibility Statement This Accessibility Statement is approved by: Allison Elder Executive Director of Time Served

