Criminal Justice Reform
A justice system should protect public safety while treating every person with fairness and respect. Real safety comes from opportunity, stability, and trust - not from policies that punish poverty or rely on mass incarceration. A smarter, more humane system makes communities stronger, not weaker.
What I'll Fight For
- A fair, effective justice system that keeps communities safe while upholding human dignity
- An end to policies that criminalize poverty and disproportionately harm marginalized communities
- Investments in prevention, mental health, and community-based safety strategies
- Policing practices rooted in accountability, transparency, and trust
- Sentencing and re-entry policies that prioritize rehabilitation and second chances
- Stronger support for victims and survivors of crime
Why this Matters in South Carolina
South Carolina faces deep disparities in policing, sentencing, and incarceration. Rural communities often lack access to mental-health services, leaving law enforcement to respond to crises they aren’t equipped to handle. Cash bail and court fees trap low-income residents in cycles of debt and jail time. At the same time, returning citizens struggle to find housing, employment, and stability - increasing the likelihood of re-offense. South Carolina needs a justice system that focuses on prevention, accountability, and rehabilitation, not punishment for punishment’s sake.
Key Policies and Priorities
Ending the Criminalization of Poverty
Too many people are jailed simply because they can’t afford to pay. I support eliminating cash bail for low-level offenses, reducing predatory fines and fees, and expanding pre-trial services that keep people connected to work, school, and family.
Investing in Prevention & Community Safety
Safer communities are built through opportunity. I support expanding mental-health and substance-use treatment, funding youth programs, and investing in community-based violence-interruption strategies that stop harm before it happens.
Accountability & Transparency in Policing
Trust between law enforcement and communities is essential. I support independent investigations of serious use-of-force incidents, expanded de-escalation and crisis-response training, transparency around misconduct, and community-based oversight structures.
Sentencing Reform & Second Chances
Punishment should fit the offense, and rehabilitation should be real. I support ending mandatory minimums for non-violent offenses, expanding diversion and restorative-justice programs, and removing barriers to housing, employment, and civic participation for returning citizens.
Supporting Victims & Survivors
A just system must center the needs of victims. I support expanding trauma-informed services, ensuring timely access to compensation and support, and strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
A fair and effective justice system strengthens communities, reduces harm, and expands opportunity.
By focusing on prevention, accountability, and rehabilitation, South Carolina can build a safer future where every person is treated with dignity and every community has the chance to thrive.