News Summary
Greenville County is experiencing delays in selecting a new contractor for its house arrest monitoring program, currently managed by Sentinel Offender Services. This delay comes amidst serious allegations against a Sentinel employee charged with bribery and blackmail. As the county extends its month-to-month agreement with Sentinel, concerns about the effectiveness and ethics of the current system grow. Local advocates are calling for enhanced oversight and accountability measures in private monitoring practices, highlighting public safety and financial exploitation issues related to disadvantaged communities.
Greenville County is facing delays in selecting a new company to manage its house arrest monitoring program, currently overseen by Sentinel Offender Services. The county’s existing contract with Sentinel, which has been in place for over ten years, was expected to transition to a new contractor starting July 1 following a request for proposals issued in May. However, as of now, the selection has not been finalized, forcing the county to extend its month-to-month agreement with Sentinel.
The need for a new contractor comes amid serious allegations against Sentinel employee Kendrick Fuller, who has been charged with bribery and blackmail. Fuller, aged 27, was arrested on April 11 after a criminal investigation sparked from complaints filed on March 26. He allegedly solicited payments from individuals under monitoring to overlook violations, threatening to report them otherwise. The investigation into these claims has prompted Greenville County to reconsider its relationship with Sentinel, which currently supervises hundreds of individuals in the area.
Although five companies expressed interest in the new contract, including Sentinel, the county has not made an award yet. A spokesperson for the county has not provided details about the reason for the delay or when a new contractor might be appointed.
During its decade-long relationship with Greenville County, Sentinel has managed the monitoring of individuals on house arrest or those out on bond. In 2020, the company monitored over 500 individuals, employing twelve staff members. Its contract was last renewed in 2020 without addressing prior criticisms regarding the company’s oversight and effectiveness. Concerns have grown over the safety practices of Sentinel, particularly following incidents involving monitored individuals committing violent acts.
One of the most notable cases was that of Gary Whitten, who was under monitoring and violated a protective order leading to the tragic deaths of his former partner and mother. Reports indicate that Sentinel failed to promptly alert the Sheriff’s Office about Whitten’s activities, raising alarms about the program’s effectiveness in ensuring public safety.
As part of the scrutiny on Sentinel, advocacy organizations like Fighting Injustice Together have called for a suspension of the contract and a review of cases supervised by Fuller. Critics have argued that the current arrangement financially exploits the monitored individuals and raises profound ethical issues, particularly as they often belong to disadvantaged communities.
Local defense attorneys have voiced their concerns over the county’s limited oversight and expressed doubt regarding the efficacy and safety of a private monitoring system. They urge the county to implement stricter accountability measures moving forward, especially in light of ongoing cases and incidents.
Despite the pressures from various groups and individuals, Sentinel has defended its services as a necessary alternative to incarceration, emphasizing a commitment to quality monitoring. However, the county’s decision-making process has been hampered by the recent allegations and ongoing investigations into Fuller’s conduct and the overall efficacy of Sentinel.
Greenville County officials have emphasized the need to balance public safety with financial considerations regarding the new contract. As the county evaluates its options, these developments highlight the growing demand for oversight and accountability in private monitoring practices that affect many individuals and their communities.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Evaluating Ankle Monitoring Program
- Greenville Online: Contract Review with Sentinel Offender Service
- Post and Courier: Greenville County Sentinel Offender Services
- WYFF4: Greenville County Bribery and Blackmail Charges
- Fox Carolina: Greenville County Considers New House Arrest Options
- Wikipedia: House Arrest
- Google Search: Greenville County Monitoring Program
- Google Scholar: Greenville County House Arrest Monitoring
- Encyclopedia Britannica: House Arrest
- Google News: Greenville County Monitoring Issues
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.
