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“Building
Partnerships in the Community”
by Robert Mitchell, Past-President of SCPPA Once again, the South Carolina Probation and Parole Association held its annual Spring Training Conference in Columbia’s Historic Vista District on Wednesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 8th. The Conference gave participants the opportunity to attend three great training workshops on inter-agency cooperation, Sex Offender Management, and staying focused on your dreams. The conference began with the golf tournament at Crickentree Country Club on Wednesday morning, followed by a great “meet and greet” fellowship, hosted by SCPPA Past Presidents, at Wild Hare Sports Café in the Vista. Most out of town members lodged at the beautiful Hampton Inn, also located in the Vista. The Training Conference itself began on Thursday morning at Columbia’s Metropolitan Convention Center, located right next to the hotel, so everything was in walking distance!! The conference was called into session by President Stephanie Garrick. The invocation was brought by Mark Childress and the National Anthem was sung by Andrea Massie, both of US Probation. A detail from the Dutch Fork High School Air Force ROTC Color Guard presented the Colors. The first workshop was presented by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. Sheriff Lott spoke about the need for agencies to cooperate with one another to work together to build a better criminal justice system. He spoke of the progress made toward this goal and the great promise of the future, as criminal justice agencies learn to assist each other in combating the ever growing challenges to justice. Dr. William Burke, a nationally recognized Sex Offender Treatment Provider, presented the second workshop, and provided fascinating insights into sex offender issues and supervision. Dr. Burke included information regarding the possibility that sex offenders can successfully be reintegrated into families with the careful supervision of certified chaperones to assist in this transition. The final workshop was presented by Akim Anastopoulo, better known as Judge “Extreme Akim” of the nationally syndicated television Court show “Eye for an Eye.” “Judge Extreme” presented a humorous look at our dreams for the future and how we should never give up on them. Following the workshops, SCPPA awarded the 2008 Joy Pace Thompson Scholarships to Heather Andrews of the Alston Wilkes Society and to Rick Hook of US Probation. Awards for the Golf Tournament went to the foursome of Randy Bunch, David White, Larry White, and Barry Coates, who won in playoff. 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 appreciates the continued support of the Directors of our various member agencies. Without their loyal support, SCPPA could not continue provide a forum for probation and parole professionals across this Great State. 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 A PART
OF IT!! Watch for information on all upcoming SCPPA Events on the
web at www.scppa.net.
See you at the Fall Conference, November 11 through 14, 2008! Robert Mitchell may be reached via e-mail at Rmitchell@ppp.state.sc.us
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