We are contacting members of the South Carolina Senate to ask for their support for

South Carolina Juvenile Justice Reform Act. It is of the utmost importance to rehabilitate rather than punish juvenile offenders as this is the best way to educate individuals for the future while providing guidance through the juvenile delinquent system.  

According to the SC Department of Juvenile Justice, only 9% of all cases reported to the DJJ involved violent or and serious offenders. Additionally, the top 5 most frequent offenses associated with referral to the DJJ were #1 Assault and Battery, #2 Public Disorderly Conduct, #3 Simple Posses./Marijuana, #4 Truancy (status), and #5 Shoplifting. All of which can be corrected and rehabilitated through guidance in the system rather than being punished with no understanding of the offense being committed.

A structured program with guidance will decrease the number of re-offenders in the system and will aid in the adolescent development process by providing education and opportunity to juveniles.

Adolescents should be provided a system and environment in which they are able to grow from their past actions and work towards a brighter future.