The Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) has released its 2024 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive review of local criminal justice system functions. The report analyzes key areas, including jail use, trends in arrests, diversion, and deflection efforts, bond and reentry practices, and case processing.
The report compiles data from 17 independent local sources, allowing for the monitoring of trends over multiple years. Published annually, the report serves as a valuable resource for the community and criminal justice stakeholders while reinforcing the CJCC’s commitment to data transparency and informed decision making.
Key findings include:
- Jail Use: The average daily population (ADP) in the jail has steadily increased since 2021. However, it remains lower than in 2014, when the CJCC first began tracking ADP data.
- Most Frequent Charge: The most commonly booked charge was Driving Under the Influence (1st offense), with 1,155 warrants issued.
- Increased Use of Crisis Services: The Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center (TCSC) and Triage Services saw a 35% increase in referrals and a 57% increase in admissions since 2023. The TCSC provides 24/7 community-based jail alternatives for individuals living with mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or homelessness.
- Case Backlog Trends: The total number of cases filed increased by 6%, while the number of cases disposed or settled decreased by 15%, indicating a growing case backlog.
“Collaboration and data sharing are continuing to improve our ability to serve Charleston,” stated Brandon Lilienthal CJCC Co- Vice-Chair and North Charleston Homeless Outreach Coordinator. “By bringing agencies together and using real-time data, we have a clearer picture than ever of how our system functions. This knowledge empowers us to identify challenges, implement smarter solutions, and create a more effective and equitable justice system for our community.”
The full report is found at cjcc.charlestoncounty.org and here.