Trey Gowdy usually isn't shy about expressing his opinions when it comes to the criminal justice system and law enforcement. The 7th Circuit Solicitor was a leading advocate for revamping South Carolina's drunk driving laws, making repeated visits to Columbia where he often stood at Gov. Mark Sanford's side in pressing lawmakers for action.

His opinions aren't limited to just DUI, however. In his way of thinking, that was just a small step when a full sprint is needed. Gowdy believes South Carolina's criminal justice system needs a complete re-write.

On Wednesday, while serving as guest speaker for the Cherokee County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission's annual awards luncheon to honor local police officers, Gowdy methodically laid out a 10- point plan to reduce crime in South Carolina that ultimately entailed sweeping changes to both infrastructure and policy.

"From my vantage point, the preeminent function of government is public safety," Gowdy said. Almost every day, Gowdy said he sees a disconnect between all of the efforts of the criminal justice system and crime statistics. South Carolina has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the nation, meaning the bad actors should be off the streets, but is also has highest rates of violent crime based on Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics.

To fix much of what he sees as wrong, Gowdy's said the state needs more truth, transparency and predictability in the justice system.

"How long is a 10-year sentence," Gowdy asked, rhetorically, knowing it doesn't actually last 10 years under South Carolina's parole system in which someone could be out in just three or four years.

Five different judges could hand down five different sentences for the same crime, he added.

And while it would be costly, Gowdy challenged that the state needs more prison and jail space so no court decisions on sentences or bonds are ever made based on a lack of bed space. Stressing he has no sympathy or compassion for violent

offenders, Gowdy also challenged that South Carolina

needs alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders.

"We've got to be more creative in how we punish (nonviolent offenders)," he said. "Jail teaches nothing more than how to be a better criminal."

And when people are released from prison, he said the state has to do a better job in making sure such people don't come back.

"If they can't get a job or provide for themselves, where will they go? We need a way to transition them back into society."

His plans also call for enhanced penalties for criminals who prey on vulnerable members of society, the abolishment of parole, and would require a comprehensive commitment to tackling the root causes of most crime — drugs and alcohol.

But if given the choice to implement just one of his many ideas to lower crime rates, Gowdy said it would be an easy choice even if the idea was complicated on many levels.

"Keep everyone in high school until they graduate," he said.

In all his years of prosecuting cases, Gowdy said he can't remember many cases involving high school graduates and he could likely count on only one hand all the college graduates he's personally prosecuted.

Will he push these issues in Columbia like he did reforming the drunk driving law?

"I plan on it," Gowdy said. "But me pushing it is like a tree falling in the Amazon Rain Forest. Nobody cares what I think."

It's going to take committed lawmakers and a supportive public to enact such change, he said.