2009 SC Criminal Justice Training Conference

(View pictures from the conference)

The 2009 South Carolina Criminal Justice Training Conference was held at the Ocean Drive Resort in North Myrtle Beach from November 8 through November 11.  Despite economic woes, the conference was attended by over 240 professionals from many state and federal agencies.  The conference was also attended by local students from Coastal Carolina University and students from Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina.

Plenary speakers included ACA Director Harold Clark, Character First founder, Thomas Hill, National Association of Wardens and Super Intendents President, Mel Williams and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputy Lamar Blakely.  The conference also included eighteen other workshops some of which focused on Evidenced Based Practices, Sex Offender Treatment, Domestic Violence, Leadership and Morals, Getting Fit, Methamphetamine Use Among Women, Forensic Investigative Techniques, and Financial Advice.

During the annual awards dinner, SCPPA recognized former SCDPPPS employee Steve Smart as the Grady Wallace Distinguished Service Award recipient , SUSPO Rick Hook as the Thomas  N. Whiteside Award winner, and Alexander Federer as the Linda J. Allen Community Service Award recipient.

For the $70 registration fee, the conference also included a pizza dinner, hundreds of door prizes, a vending hall with over twenty vendors, a social night out, a bowling tournament, a costume dance party, and breakfast buffet.

Next year the conference will move to the Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes located in Myrtle Beach.  The Marriott Resort is one of the nicest resorts on the beach.  It offers a new spacious venue with many modern amenities. This move will give the conference a chance to increase participation among presenters, participants, and vendors.  With the registration costs being held the same and rooms being offered at an all-time Marriott low--$70 per night, SCCJTC will still be the most competitive conference bargain EVER!  The 2010 Conference is set to include workshops on Leadership, Offender, Sex Offender Treatment and Supervision, the use of Polygraphs, Field Scenario Exhibitions, Re-entry Programs, Juvenile Corrections and more.  The 2010 conference is one that you’ll definitely want to attend.