Charleston Police Chief Mullen to speak in criminal justice series

Controversial police shootings in Ferguson, Baltimore, North Charleston, and the recent death of Sandra Bland have eroded trust in law enforcement, not only around the country, but here in South Carolina. Moreover, citizens with mental illness find themselves being treated as criminals instead of patients. How can we do a better job of providing public safety?

The Riley Institute and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Furman will examine these issues in the second part of the four-part series, “Crime and Punishment: Thinking Outside the Cell,” which continues Tuesday, July 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Younts Conference Center on the Furman University campus. Cost is $15 per session, or $45 for the series.

“Police, Prisons and Public Safety” features Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, Nicholtown Pastor Darian Blue, mental health advocate Paton Blough, and Post & Courier reporter Glenn Smith. The panel will talk with moderator Mark Quinn, former host of SCETV’s “Big Picture” about the relationship between law enforcement officers in South Carolina and the communities they serve.

In the second hour, Stuart Andrews of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP presents the 2014 case he won against the South Carolina Department of Corrections on behalf of 3,500 mentally ill prisoners. Following his presentation, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling and SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services Director Jerry Adger will offer their perspectives as the top officials inside the correctional system.

Other sessions in the series include:

August 4: “Creative Justice in the Courts” featuring The Honorable Bruce Hendricks, U.S. District Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

August 11: “Building Communities of Justice” featuring U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles

A detailed schedule of events with speaker bios and registration information is available at the Riley Institute website, www.furman.edu/summerseries. For more information about the series, contact OLLI at (864) 294-2998.