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Time Served is a non-profit organization providing pro bono legal services to currently and formerly incarcerated South Carolinians. We fight to restore civil rights, promote reentry, and empower individuals for a brighter future. Removing Barriers to Reentry FREEDOM. REENTRY. EMPOWERMENT. Time Served is a nonprofit legal aid organization dedicated to empowering currently and formerly incarcerated individuals in South Carolina through free legal services and advocacy. 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. Services for Incarcerated Persons Representation for release and reentry, focusing on parole, compassionate release, sentence reductions, medical advocacy, and support for families. Get Legal Services Services for Formerly Incarcerated Persons Assisting with record expungements, pardons, family law issues, housing, and employment to break cycles of poverty and provide stability. Get Reentry Support Systems-Change Advocacy Working with advocates and courts to advance justice reforms, including amicus briefings and collaborative events like Reawakening Hope. Partner With Us Our Impact Since opening our doors in November 2023, we have accomplished the following: Yolanda | CLIENT TESTIMONIAL Time Served gave me the confidence that I needed to move forward. The biggest barrier in my life is gone. Now, the only thing that is going to limit me is me.

Meet the dedicated Board of Directors behind Time Served, guiding our mission to provide second chances and empower individuals impacted by the justice system. Our Board of Directors The Board of Directors at Time Served brings together a diverse group of leaders committed to advancing justice and supporting meaningful change for formerly incarcerated individuals. Our board members work collaboratively to guide Time Served’s mission, championing innovative legal solutions and systems-change initiatives. Each board member is deeply invested in building pathways to opportunity and dignity for those affected by the criminal justice system, ensuring that Time Served remains a powerful advocate for equity, compassion, and lasting impact. Jerry Blassingame CHAIR Jerry Blassingame is founder and CEO of Soteria Community Development Corporation. He endeavors to empower individuals and the community as he advocates for economic and social justice through community and economic development. His passion is assisting individuals who have been incarcerated and helping them to become productive citizens. Jerry is a certified reentry specialist through the Institute of Prison Ministry at Wheaton College who advocates for systemic change nationally. One of his greatest accomplishments was to help pass Expungement Bill H3209 in South Carolina in 2018. He served as President of Correctional Ministries and Chaplain Association at Wheaton College from 2019 - 2022, is a 2019 fellow in the Aspen Institute’s Healthy Communities Initiative, a 2016 fellow of JustLeadershipUSA, and he received the Buck Mikel award for community development from the Greenville Chamber in 2019 and the United Way Spirit Award in 2023. Don Austin VICE CHAIR Don Austin currently serves as the Facilities Manager at the Triune Mercy Center. They share Christ’s love while meeting the physical needs of their parishioners and provide life-changing opportunities to the disadvantaged. Don has personally experienced mass incarceration in South Carolina, and he has benefitted from legal services that helped him break free of that cycle. In 1992, Don started to experience the cycles of addiction, poverty, incarceration, and homelessness. Eventually, Don was referred to United Ministries’ Place of Hope, a day shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Greenville. That’s where the seed was planted, and he was given lots of resources to help him get his life back together. He successfully completed the Overcomers and the C.S.R.C. substance abuse programs and was given a job at the Salvation Army. Don received a full pardon of his entire South Carolina record and dedicates his life now to helping others overcome the same obstacles he did. He has worked at Triune Mercy Center for 14 years, and he recently celebrated 20 years of sobriety. Taylor Gilliam SECRETARY Taylor Gilliam is secretary of the Time Served Board of Directors. After serving most recently as the Pro Bono Director at the University of South Carolina School of Law, Taylor is now an Assistant Federal Defender for the Columbia office. 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.

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

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

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

Apply for services with Time Served and take the first step toward a fresh start. We provide legal advocacy and resources to help individuals rebuild their lives. Apply for Services Financial Qualifications Application for Non-Incarcerated Application for Incarcerated Jump to Section: Before accepting cases, we conduct an application and intake process. Please keep in mind that submitting an application and completing an intake screening does not guarantee representation. Due to the high volume of requests, our limited resources, and our ethical obligations to current clients, we are unable to take on every case within our scope. financial Financial Qualifications and Potential Expenses As part of our intake process, we ask questions about household income and employment, but we do not automatically disqualify clients based on income or conduct strict means-testing (e.g., measuring income against the Federal poverty level). People seek our help because they cannot afford an attorney and face a legal issue or proceeding where no counsel will be appointed . Please note that we may screen cases based on financial means or, more commonly, the availability of appointed counsel. We do not charge clients for our legal services; however, clients are typically responsible for other case-related expenses, such as SLED background check fees ($26), fees for expungement and pardon applications, Guardian ad Litem fees, and fees for records. If you are concerned about potential costs, we strongly encourage you not to let that deter you from applying for services. non-incarcerated Application and Intake Process for Non-Incarcerated People with Records As licensed attorneys in South Carolina, we are only able to advise you on South Carolina and federal criminal records—not those from other states. If you have records both in South Carolina and in another state, we’re happy to assist with your South Carolina record and will do our best to refer you to resources for record clearing in other states. If you have pending charges, please note that we may recommend you return for record clearing assistance once your current case is resolved. If you have a South Carolina or federal record that’s holding you back, or if you’re facing legal challenges stemming from past criminal system involvement, you’re welcome to request an intake appointment with us. To schedule an intake appointment, please choose one of the following options: Call our office at (864) 546-5060. If you are unable to reach us, please leave a message with your name and contact information. Email us at info@tsscnow.org . Intake Process: Our initial intake is typically conducted over the phone. Please set aside 20–30 minutes for this call and plan to be in a private space where you can discuss your legal matter openly. After the intake, our team will review your case at our weekly case consult meeting to determine if we can accept your matter and establish our initial level of representation. For instance, some family law cases may initially be placed on “investigation status” to allow time to review all relevant documents before deciding how best to proceed. If we accept your case, you will then be assigned an attorney. incarcerated Application and Intake Process for Currently Incarcerated People We ask that incarcerated individuals seeking assistance write a detailed letter outlining their legal needs. In this letter, they should include the names of any co-defendants so we can conduct a conflict check. For initial correspondence, we kindly request that original documents not be sent. For those applying for parole representation, please note that we generally accept parole cases for individuals serving life sentences who are within 1.5 to 2 years of their next parole date. Due to the high volume of mail we receive from incarcerated individuals, including current clients, we strive to respond as efficiently as possible. Typically, we respond by (1) scheduling a legal call to complete a full intake if the case is in scope, (2) providing brief advice and a closing letter, (3) requesting additional information, or (4) issuing a letter to explain if the case is out of scope or we lack the capacity to take it on. Legal Mail from SCDC should be addressed as follows: Time Served P.O. Box 615 Taylors, SC 29687 For legal emergencies involving an incarcerated individual, we recommend that a loved one contact our office directly at (864) 546-5060 or email us at info@tsscnow.org .

Get in touch with Time Served to learn more about our mission, services, and how you can support individuals impacted by the justice system. Contact us today! Contact Us Thank you for your interest in Time Served. We are here to provide support, answer your questions, and guide you on how we can work together to make a difference. NOTE: Time Served does NOT accept requests for services through this contact form. If you would like to apply for our legal services, please call our office or have your incarcerated loved one send us a letter. Whether you’re looking for information about our services, partnership opportunities, or ways to contribute to our mission, we’d love to hear from you. Phone (864) 546-5060 Email info@tsscnow.org First Name Last Name Email Message (NOTE: We do NOT accept requests for services through this form) Send Message Thank you for reaching out! A staff member will respond shortly. Visit Us We welcome visitors to our office and invite you to learn more about our work firsthand. Located in the heart of Greenville, Time Served is dedicated to serving communities across South Carolina. Whether you're here to meet with our team or explore ways to get involved , we look forward to connecting with you. Please contact us to schedule an appointment before your visit. Physical Address Triune Mercy Center, 222 Rutherford Street, Greenville, SC 29609 Mailing Address P.O. Box 615, Taylors, SC 29687 Operating Hours Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed

Meet Debbie Kasle, a dedicated volunteer with Time Served, committed to supporting our mission and helping individuals impacted by the justice system find a path to a brighter future. Meet Our Dedicated Volunteer BACK TO ABOUT US BACK TO ABOUT US Debbie Kasle VOLUNTEER Debbie is a dedicated volunteer at Time Served, supporting the team with both development and client work. Debbie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Tulane University before going on to receive her law degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. She began her legal career practicing corporate and securities law at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg in Chicago, Illinois, and later at DeNune & Killam in Toledo, Ohio. After stepping back from her career to raise her family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Debbie remained committed to public service, volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and advocating for children in the foster care system. Her commitment to ethical and compassionate service led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin, after which she founded Kasle Planning, a firm focused on medical ethics and advance health care planning. In 2017, Debbie returned to law with a renewed focus on social justice. She served as a volunteer staff attorney with the Milwaukee Justice Center, providing legal support to low-income, unrepresented litigants. She also worked as a mediator with Mediate Milwaukee, helping landlords and tenants resolve disputes. Committed to supporting immigrant families, Debbie participated in the Dilley Pro Bono Project, assisting immigrant mothers and children at the U.S. border with their asylum cases. Most recently, she has volunteered with Root & Rebound, where she provided legal advice to individuals impacted by the prison system.

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

Guides At Time Served, we believe that access to justice includes widely-available community access to legal information and processes. That's why our team works to create educational Legal Guides related to our work. Please note that the Guides available here are based on general information and not tailored to your specific case. If you would like a specific review of your legal issue, contact us to apply for services. South Carolina Pardon Guide (English) 2025 Second Chance Day - Advocacy Information Packet 2025 Expungement Update - South Carolina Constitutional Carry Act

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.