Hey everyone,
I had a question that maybe someone can answer for me. Erskine wrote me yesterday saying that in the state of South Carolina, since the prisons are so overcrowded, that they are going back to the "41 % law" for non-violent offenders.Which means that he will only have to do 41% of his sentence. Has anyone heard about that? By the way, he is out of recieving, they have shipped him off to Tyger River, which is in Enoree, which is also closer to me than where he was before, so I'm glad. He loves it where he is. He's not in maximum security. like he was. he has his own room, with a key, a locker, a bed and desk. He said that he's fine otherwise.

I found this link to a policy about early release due to overcrowding. Maybe it will help.

http://www.lpitr.state.sc.us/coderegs/c130.doc


I couldn't find anything on the Internet - in your state newspapers, etc. - saying that the Governor has declared an emergency situation that would allow early release for overcrowding. (If I read the policy correctly, that is the only way an early release program for overcrowding can be implemented.) I did, however, find an article saying that the state is going to allow the DOC to operate in the red for the remainder of this year so that prisons can stay fully staffed and there will be no threat to public safety.

Rumors are always flying around about early release and across-the-board sentence reductions. They are very rarely true, but you might want to call the DOC headquarters and ask. The rumors can drive you crazy. My husband and I are to the point where we don't believe any of them. Most are just a bunch of hot air!

Rumors have been flying in Virginia about the same thing. I just can't find any proof that it's true. Of course, if they decide it's for non-violent offenders, it doesn't help David.

About every 6 months these rumors go through Calif prisons too, & they even go through the county jail. Although it happens occasionally.

I asked one of my former coworkers, who happens to now be CO at Perry Correctional Institution, and she said that it was probably a hoax because she hadn't heard anything, so all I can really do is wait. But Do you all think that I should tell Erskine this, I'm afraid it might discourage him, but I don't want him to have false hope, either.:(

I think it's the best thing to tell him. other wise he might get his hopes up high and then be even more disappointed when he finds out it won't happen. just tell him carefully that you've been asking around and that people told you it might be a hoax and that he shouldn't count on it...?

I'm in Virginia, but I haven't heard any rumors like that. Is 47% good? The prisons are overcrowding and these crazy judges are giving sentences that are not as serious as the offense (example-homicide, inmate gets about 10yrs;robbery, inmate gets about 15-20). It's crazy.