“Reinvesting in South Carolina”

SCPPA Holds 2009 Spring Training Conference

By Brent Metcalf, President SCPPA

The South Carolina Probation and Parole Association held its annual Spring Training Conference in Downtown Greenville, South Carolina on Thursday May 7th and Friday May 8th.  The Conference gave participants the opportunity to attend three great training workshops on Improving the South Carolina Criminal Justice System, Money Smart and Financial Literacy, and Restitution Management.  

The Conference began with the golf tournament at Pebble Creek Country Club on Thursday morning, followed by a great “meet and greet” fellowship, hosted by SCPPA at the Corner Pocket, Downtown Greenville.  The conference was held at the Hyatt, North Main Street, Greenville,  and our out of town members were lodged on site.  

The conference was called into session by President-Elect Brent Metcalf.  The invocation was brought by Greg Stewart and the National Anthem was sung by Robert Mitchell, both of South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services.  A detail from the Berea Air Force ROTC Color Guard presented the colors.  

The first workshop was presented by Honorable Trey Gowdy, 7th Judicial Solicitor, for Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.  Solicitor Gowdy spoke about the need for improvement in the South Carolina Criminal Justice System.  He spoke of  specific areas that we must improve in order to continue the ever growing challenges to justice.

Penny King, Senior Community Affairs Specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection, Atlanta’s Regional Office, presented the second workshop.   She provided insights to us, as consumer, our rights when dealing with lending institutions.  In addition, she provided information to us, as community based corrections professionals, to assist our offender population in dealing with lending institutions.  

The final workshop was conducted by Julie Begonia, a consultant with the American Probation and Parole Association on Improving Restitution Collections.  Jule presented an excellent workshop for officers as they attempt to collect restitution from the offender population.  

Following the workshops, SCPPA awarded the 2009 Joy Pace Thompson Scholarship to Cathy Foust from South Carolina Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services.  In the final minutes of the Conference, several SCPPA members experienced the good fortune of winning one of the great door prizes provided by Board members and sponsors!!

SCPPA appreciated the continued support of the Directors of various member agencies.  Without their loyal support, SCPPA could not continue to provide a forum for probation and parole professionals across the State of South Carolina.  SCPPA also appreciates the support of its members and sponsors, both of whom allow the Association to provide quality training and networking opportunities to build better Probation and Parole professionals for South Carolina.

Remember, SCPPA is our Association.  Don’t miss one opportunity to be part of it!!!  Watch for information on all upcoming SCPPA Events on the web at www.scppa.net.  See you at the Fall Conference!!