The South Carolina Probation and Parole Association (SCPPA) was conceptualized in 1989 and 1990 between the department directors of the South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPS), United States Probation Office (USPO), South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) (formerly known as the Department of Youth Services), and Alston Wilkes Society (AWS).

On April 2, 1990, SCPPA became incorporated as an organization of community corrections professionals of all levels that includes educators, students, volunteers, community leaders, and citizens from all corners of South Carolina, united for the benefit of all.

The South Carolina Probation and Parole Association is committed to stimulating high standards of professionalism and training for personnel and agencies, creating an active forum for increasing public awareness encouraging innovative services, providing quality information to criminal justice professionals and decision makers, promoting international communication and exchange of ideas within the field, and advancing progressive probation and parole practices.

The purpose of the association is to:
1. Advance progressive probation and parole practices.
2. Stimulate high standards of training and professionalism of personnel and agencies.
3. Promote international communication and exchange of ideas.
4. Promote the provision of quality information to criminal justice decision makers.
5. Increase public awareness and acceptance of probation and parole as meaningful in the prevention, reduction, and deterrence of criminal or delinquent behavior.
6. Encourage the development of innovative services, research design, and program evaluation.