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Taylor Gilliam is a member of the Time Served Board of Directors. BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS Taylor Gilliam BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SECRETARY Taylor Gilliam is secretary of the Time Served Board of Directors. He is the Pro Bono Director at the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a 2011 graduate of The Citadel and received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2014. The current President of the South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division, Taylor has previously served on various committees within the YLD and was named “Young Lawyer of the Year” in 2020. Prior to joining the law school, he was an Appellate Defender at the South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense. Taylor has handled over 300 cases before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court, including 20 oral arguments. Taylor is also a graduate of the South Carolina Bar Leadership Academy, class of 2019. He is a former Chair of the Public Service Committee of the Richland County Bar Association, which recently held its sixth annual “Practical Knowledge for Any Attorney” CLE.

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

Make a difference by donating to Time Served. Your generosity helps provide legal advocacy, resources, and opportunities for individuals seeking a fresh start after incarceration. Support Second Chances 1 in 3 South Carolinians has a criminal record. The lasting impact of a criminal conviction affects almost every aspect of a person's life. At Time Served, we are committed to giving individuals impacted by the justice system a real chance at a fresh start. Your support directly fuels our mission —providing legal advocacy, resources, and opportunities that pave the way for brighter futures and stronger communities. By donating, you become a crucial part of the journey toward justice and reintegration, helping us break down barriers and restore hope. Join us in making a meaningful impact and supporting the power of second chances. Financial Donations Every donation to Time Served helps provide the tools and resources needed for individuals to rebuild their lives after incarceration. From funding vital programs to supplying everyday essentials, your generosity makes a tangible difference. Explore our giving options—donate online, by check, or through our Amazon Wish List—and become part of the movement to empower change and create lasting opportunities. Online Make your contribution quickly and securely using the donation form on the right. Checks We gladly accept donations by check. Please make checks payable to Time Served. Please mail checks to: Time Served P.O. Box 615 Taylors, SC 29687 Donate Essential Items If you'd like to support our mission by donating essential items, visit our Amazon Wish List! Your gift of supplies helps fuel our daily work and directly benefits our team as we provide services to those seeking a second chance. Shop Our Amazon Wish List sponsorship Business Sponsorship Opportunities We believe in the transformative power of community partnerships. Is your business ready to make a lasting impact by supporting Time Served's mission of providing second chances? Discover our sponsorship opportunities below and learn how your business can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals and strengthening our community. For additional information, please contact our team. Sponsorship Packages

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

Advocacy & Justice in Action Latest News Apr 25, 2025 In the News - Second Chance Day 2025 Read More Mar 9, 2024 Time Served Hosts "Reawakening Hope" Read More Feb 1, 2024 Time Served Collaborates with FCC to Host Public Commentary Event Read More

All Posts Civil Rights Nov 7, 2023 3 min Civil Rights You, too, can vote in South Carolina (probably). The right to vote is one of the most crucial tools we, as American citizens, have in our toolkits for change. And you should be using it.

Mon, Feb 19 | Wesley United Methodist Church Reawakening Hope Join Time Served as we host a launch event for our 2024 policy and advocacy work. We're at capacity. Please contact us at info@tsscnow.org for assistance. See other events Time & Location Feb 19, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM Wesley United Methodist Church, 1725 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201, USA About the event Time Served is proud to host Reawakening Hope -- a launch event for our 2024 policy and advocacy work. Guest speakers and panelists include Time Served staff, systems-impacted activists and leaders from across the state, and more. We will explore our top three policy priorities for the year: South Carolina's broken parole system, ending juvenile life without parole, and ban the box legislation. RSVPs are required for food and capacity purposes. This event is open to the public, but due to the nature of the conversation, you must be 18 years or older to attend. Show More Share this event

Latest News Mar 9, 2024 Time Served Hosts "Reawakening Hope" Read More Feb 1, 2024 Time Served collaborates with FCC to host public commentary event Read More

< Back Time Served Hosts "Reawakening Hope" 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

< Back Time Served collaborates with FCC to host public commentary event 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