Susan Smith, the South Carolina woman convicted of drowning her two young sons in 1994, is officially back on the parole board’s calendar, with her next hearing set for Nov. 19, 2026. Smith was denied parole at her first hearing in November 2024 and, under state law, can reapply every two years after serving more than 30 years of a life sentence.
According to The State, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services scheduled the November 2026 hearing after Smith filed a new application following the board’s unanimous denial at her first appearance.
Background
On Oct. 25, 1994, Smith drove her car into John D. Long Lake in Union County with her two sons strapped inside, a crime that quickly drew national attention. The Associated Press reported that she was convicted in 1995 on two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison after a jury spared her the death penalty. During her 2024 parole hearing, AP noted that Smith told the board, “I know what I did was horrible.” The news agency has covered both the original case and the more recent parole proceeding.
Parole Process in South Carolina
The state’s Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services administers parole and pardon hearings from its Columbia offices and runs a victim-services unit for people who want to follow or participate in proceedings. The department lists its physical address as 293 Greystone Blvd. in Columbia and provides scheduling and participation guidance for upcoming board sessions on its website. South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
Odds And Opposition
Parole is granted in South Carolina only rarely, historically in about 8 percent of cases, which means Smith faces steep odds even before any testimony is heard next fall. Reporting by The Associated Press and The State notes that David Smith, the boys’ father, along with trial prosecutors, urged the panel to deny her release at the 2024 hearing, and that the department received hundreds of letters and emails in advance of that decision.
What Comes Next
Smith is expected to appear by video from prison, consistent with how the board has handled prior sessions, while the panel accepts letters, phone testimony and in-person statements from victims and supporters before the November hearing. Local outlets including WCCB Charlotte and WCNC reported the new date this week. The agency’s victim services office provides details on how to take part. The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services notes that if parole is denied again, Smith will generally have to wait another two years before she can reapply.
