Greenville County, August 12, 2025
News Summary
Greenville County, South Carolina, has chosen to continue its controversial partnership with Sentinel Offender Services for community supervision of offenders. This decision comes amid allegations against a Sentinel employee and criticisms regarding the company’s practices and track record. Despite significant backlash and concerns raised by local advocates about the risks of using a for-profit service, county officials unanimously agreed to extend the contract on a month-to-month basis due to an urgent need for monitoring services.
Greenville County, South Carolina, has opted to continue its partnership with Sentinel Offender Services to oversee offenders either awaiting trial or serving sentences within the community. This decision follows a period of scrutiny and calls for change, particularly from local activist Bruce Wilson, who urged the county to sever ties with the company amid allegations against a Sentinel employee.
The partnership, which is crucial for overseeing over 500 offenders in 2020 alone, comes on the heels of recent controversies, including the criminal charges against Kendrick Fuller, a Sentinel employee accused of blackmailing individuals under his supervision. Despite these allegations and criticism over the company’s practices, Greenville County officials unanimously agreed to extend their relationship with Sentinel on a month-to-month basis after failing to appoint a new vendor by the July 1 deadline.
Sentinel’s existing contract with Greenville County ended on June 30, prompting the county to seek proposals from alternative vendors starting in May. However, after a careful review of proposals from four companies, county officials posted a notice of intent to award a new contract to Sentinel, emphasizing the immediate need for continued community monitoring services.
The county’s decision to move forward with Sentinel has faced significant backlash. Critics, including local defense attorneys and civil liberties advocates, have raised concerns about the company’s track record, which includes numerous lawsuits alleging negligence and profit-driven practices. They argue that the financial exploitation of individuals under monitoring can lead to increased debt and other challenges.
Among the issues raised against Sentinel are serious lapses in communication between its monitoring systems and law enforcement. Reports show that the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office documented over 5,400 violations of house arrest terms, including curfew breaches and tampering with monitoring devices. Furthermore, Sentinel has been implicated in incidents resulting in the deaths of individuals functioning under its supervision, posing serious questions about the efficacy and ethics of utilizing a for-profit model for offender monitoring.
As Sentinel continues to face public scrutiny, local defense attorneys express that trusting the supervision of offenders to a profit-driven company may pose risks to community safety and rehabilitation efforts. Notably, Greenville County has not conducted recent audits or performance reviews of Sentinel over the past two years, despite acknowledging the company’s history of issues.
In an age where oversight and accountability are paramount in the criminal justice system, the county’s choice to reaffirm its partnership with Sentinel raises pressing questions about the future of offender monitoring in Greenville County.
Summary of Key Details
- Greenville County has decided to continue its partnership with Sentinel Offender Services for community supervision of offenders.
- The decision comes amidst serious allegations against a Sentinel employee and a history of lawsuits against the company.
- The new partnership is on a month-to-month basis after the original contract expired.
- More than 5,400 violations have been reported under Sentinel’s supervision in the past.
- Concerns have been raised about the risks posed by entrusting offender monitoring to a for-profit company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Greenville County choose to continue its partnership with Sentinel Offender Services?
Greenville County decided to maintain its partnership with Sentinel due to the immediate need for oversight of offenders, despite ongoing scrutiny and a failure to appoint a new vendor by the deadline.
What allegations have been made against Sentinel Offender Services?
Allegations include negligence, profit-driven practices, and involvement in the deaths of individuals under their monitoring system, as well as significant communication failures with law enforcement.
What are the implications of using a for-profit company for offender monitoring?
Using a for-profit company may compromise safety and rehabilitation efforts, as profit motives could lead to increased financial burdens and exploitation of monitored individuals.
Key Features of Greenville County’s Relationship with Sentinel Offender Services
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract Status | Month-to-month basis after the previous contract expired. |
| Employee Allegations | Charges against Sentinel employee for blackmail. |
| Reported Violations | Over 5,400 violations of house arrest terms, including curfew breaches. |
| Historical Criticism | Multiple lawsuits for negligence and profit-driven practices. |
| Monitoring Oversight | Sentinel employed 12 people and oversaw over 500 individuals in 2020. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Greenville County Delays House Arrest Monitoring Contractor Change
Greenville County Reviews Offender Monitoring Contract Amid Scandal
Greenville County Reevaluates Offender Management Contract
Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Decides to Stay with Old House Arrest Supervision Company
- Post and Courier: Greenville County and Sentinel Offender Services
- Greenville Online: Greenville County to Review Contract with Sentinel Offender Service
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Evaluating Proposals for House Arrest Supervision Program
- Wikipedia: Criminal Justice
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
