South Carolina § 24-22-20 - Definitions.

Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 24-22-20 — Definitions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 24-22-20. Definitions.

As used herein:

(a) "Adult criminal offender management system" means the system developed by the State Department of Corrections and the State Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services which permits carefully screened inmates to be identified, transferred into Department of Corrections Reintegration Centers and placed in Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services Community Control Strategies.

(b) "Community control strategies" means offender supervision and offender management methods available in the community, including, but not limited to, home detention, day reporting centers, restitution centers, public service work programs, substance abuse programs, short term incarceration, and intensive supervision.

(c) "High count" means the largest male prison system population, the largest female prison system population, or both, on any given day during a one-month period.

(d) "Prison" means any male correctional facility, female correctional facility, or combined male and female correctional facility operated by the State Department of Corrections.

(e) "Prison system" means the prisons operated by the State Department of Corrections.

(f) "Offender" means every male inmate or female inmate, or both, who, at the time of the initiation of the offender management system, is or at any time during continuation of the system is serving a criminal sentence under commitment to the State Department of Corrections, including persons serving sentences in local detention facilities designated under the provisions of applicable law and regulations.

(g) "Prison system population" means the total number of male prisoners, female prisoners, or combined total of female and male prisoners housed in the prisons operated by the State Department of Corrections.

(h) "Reintegration center" means an institution operated by the State Department of Corrections which provides for the evaluation of and necessary institutional programs for inmates in the offender management system.

(i) "Release date" means the date projected by the State Department of Corrections on which a prisoner will be released from prison, assuming maximum accrual of credit for good behavior has been established under Section 24-13-210 and earned work credits under Section 24-13-230.

(j) "Qualified prisoners" means any male prisoners, female prisoners, or combined total of female or male prisoners convicted of a nonviolent offense for which such prisoner has received a total sentence of five years or less and is presently serving a nonmandatory term of imprisonment for conviction of one or more of the following offenses:

reckless homicide (56-5-2910); armed robbery/accessory after the fact; simple assault; intimidation (16-11-550, 16-17-560); aggravated assault (16-23-490); arson of residence to defraud an insurer (16-11-110, 16-11-125); arson (16-11-110); arson-2nd degree (16-11-110(B)); arson-3rd degree (16-11-110(C)); burglary of safe vault (16-11-390); possession of tools for a crime (16-11-20); attempted burglary (16-13-170); petit larceny (16-13-30); purse snatching (16-13-150); shoplifting (16-13-110, 16-13-120); grand larceny (16-13-20); attempted grand larceny (16-13-20); larceny; credit card theft (16-13-20, 16-13-30, 16-13-35); possession of stolen vehicle (16-21-80, 16-21-130); unauthorized use of a vehicle (16-21-60, 16-21-130); forgery (16-13-10); fraud-swindling (16-13-320); fraudulent illegal use of credit card (16-14-60); fraudulent check (34-11-60); fraud-false statement or representation (16-13-240 through 16-13-290); breach of trust with fraudulent intent (16-13-230); failure to return tools or vehicle (16-13-420); insurance fraud (16-11-125, 16-11-130); obtaining controlled substance by fraud (44-53-40); defrauding an innkeeper (45-1-50); receipt of stolen property (16-13-180); destroying personal property (16-11-510); malicious injury to property (16-11-510, 16-11-520); hallucinogen-possession (44-53-370(c)); heroin-possession (44-53-370(c)); cocaine-possession (44-53-370(c)); cocaine-transporting (44-53-370(a)); marijuana-possession (44-53-370(c)); marijuana-producing (44-53-370(a)); legend drugs-possession (44-53-370(c)); distributing imitation controlled substances (44-53-370(a)); possession-imitation controlled substance (44-53-370(a)); indecent exposure (16-15-130); peeping tom (16-17-470); contributing to delinquency of minor (16-17-490); neglect-child (63-5-7-70); criminal domestic violence (16-25-20); prostitution (16-15-90 through 16-15-110); unlawful liquor possession (61-6-1800, 61-6-2220, 61-6-4710); public disorderly conduct/intoxication (16-17-530); making false report (16-17-725); contempt of court (14-1-150); obstructing justice (16-9-310 through 16-9-380); bribery (16-9-210 through 16-9-270, 16-17-540 through 16-17-550); possession of incendiary device (16-23-480, 16-11-550); weapon license/registration (23-31-140); explosives possession (23-36-50, 23-36-170); threat to bomb (16-11-550); unlawful possession of firearm on premises of alcoholic beverage establishment (16-23-465); discharging firearm in dwelling (16-23-440); pointing a firearm (16-23-410); littering (16-11-700); DUI-drugs (56-5-2930, 56-5-2940); driving under suspension (56-1-460); failure to stop for officer (56-5-750); leaving the scene of accident (56-5-1210; 56-5-1220); possession of open container (61-4-110); trespassing (16-11-600 through 16-11-640); illegal use of telephone (16-17-430); smuggling contraband into prison (24-3-950); tax evasion (12-7-2750); false income tax statement (12-7-1630, 12-7-2750); accessory to a felony (16-1-40, 16-1-50); misprision of a felony; criminal conspiracy (16-17-410); habitual offender (56-1-1020 through 56-1-1100).

(k) "Operating capacity" means the safe and reasonable male inmate capacity, female inmate capacity, or combined male and female inmate capacity of the prison system operated by the State Department of Corrections as certified by the State Department of Corrections and approved by the Department of Administration.

HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 461, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 477.

Editor's Note

2010 Act No. 273, SECTION 7.B, provides:

"The common law offenses of assault and battery with intent to kill, assault with intent to kill, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, simple assault and battery, assault of a high and aggravated nature, aggravated assault, and simple assault are abolished for offenses occurring on or after the effective date of this act [June 2, 2010]."

Section 23-31-140, referenced in the definition of "qualified prisoners" was repealed by 2012 Act No. 285.

Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 24-22-20

What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 24-22-20 cover?

Section 24-22-20 ("Definitions.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite South Carolina § 24-22-20?

A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 24-22-20" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of South Carolina law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.

How does South Carolina § 24-22-20 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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