Workgroups
The CJCC houses four dedicated workgroups, each targeting key areas of the local criminal justice system. Workgroups review local data, identify areas for improvement, and support the development of innovative strategies. Chaired by a CJCC member and comprised of organizational representatives and community stakeholders, these workgroups play a vital role in the ongoing improvement of the Charleston County criminal justice system.
Divert & Deflect: Set within the timeframe between arrest and bond hearing, the Divert & Deflect Workgroup seeks to support alternatives to incarceration for individuals with lower-level charges. Additionally, this workgroup monitors crime trends and jail activity to better understand drivers of government resources.
Divert & Deflect Publications:
- Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and Jail Use: An Overview of Firearm-Related Bookings in Charleston County—December 2023
- Charleston County Trends in Case Processing, Fairness, and Reentry from Jail—February 2023
- Examining the Impacts of Arrest Deflection Strategies on Jail Reduction Efforts—2022
Most Visible Persons (MVP): The Most Visible Persons Workgroup functions at the individual level – focusing on individuals with four or more bookings in the past twelve months. Adopting a case conferencing format, the MVP Workgroup connects these individuals with community services aimed at addressing underlying causes of repeated incarceration. This approach targets root issues contributing to frequent bookings and seeks to provide comprehensive support to break the cycle of reoffending.
Pretrial: The Pretrial Workgroup examines the period of time between an individual's booking into jail and subsequent release back into the community. Workgroup efforts seek to establish measurable benchmarks around bond decisions, assist Centralized Bond Court Judges through the provision of data for decision-making, and to reduce the risk of re-offense during the pretrial phase.
Pretrial Publications:
- Quick Facts on Bonds in South Carolina—October 2024
- Charleston County Trends in Case Processing, Fairness, and Reentry from Jail—February 2023
- Pretrial Risk Assessment Summary —December 2023
- Examining the Pretrial Population in Charleston County—2022
- Pretrial Outcome Study Infographic—April 2018
Case Processing:The Case Processing Workgroup reviews the timeliness and efficiency of case management primarily within the Court of General Sessions. This group seeks to streamline case movement and reduce delays, ensuring that cases are handled promptly and effectively. For a comprehensive overview of the areas which this workgroup considers, review the CJCC Annual Report.
Case Processing Publications: