South Carolina Inmate Search

South Carolina Inmate Search is a process of looking up information about incarcerated individuals in the state.

Firstly, the state inmate search is a database maintained by the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), which is accessible to the public. The database displays public information and photographs of inmates currently incarcerated in their facilities as of midnight the previous day.

The primary purpose of the inmate search is to provide a way for the public to find out information about incarcerated inmates in the state. This information can be used by family members, friends, and attorneys who need to locate an inmate or learn basic information about them.

When individuals conduct an inmate search in South Carolina, they need some basic information about the inmate they are looking for. Having more information can make it easier to find the inmate. Valuable information includes the inmate's full name, date of birth, and SCDC identification number (if available).

While SCDC strives to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, it does not guarantee the reliability of the data provided in the database. In addition, the inmate search tool does not provide information on offenders sentenced to county jails, released from SCDC, and under community supervision such as probation or parole.

Lastly, information about juvenile offenders housed with SCDC is not released, and current fugitives from SCDC are also not included in the inmate search.

What Are South Carolina Inmate Records?

South Carolina Inmate Records refer to the comprehensive information collection about individuals currently or previously incarcerated within the state. These records provide more in-depth details about an inmate than a simple South Carolina Inmate Search.

One of the critical benefits of accessing South Carolina Inmate Records is the ability to obtain a complete picture of an inmate's criminal history. These records typically contain the following details:

Personal information, such as name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical description
Fingerprints and mugshots
Details of prior convictions, pending charges, and any active warrants
Incarceration information, such as incarceration date, location, sentence length, release date, and parole eligibility
Information about the crime committed, including the date, time, and place of the offense
Any disciplinary actions against the inmate while in custody
Information about any conditions of release, including parole or probation requirements

South Carolina inmate records are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law allows citizens to access public records maintained by state and local government agencies.

In South Carolina, the SCDC primarily maintains and provides access to inmate records. Under the FOIA, any person can request access to these records, and the SCDC must respond to the request in a reasonable amount of time.

However, there are certain restrictions on how this information can be used. For example, it is illegal to use this information to harass or intimidate an inmate or their family members.

Furthermore, some information may be redacted or withheld if deemed confidential or privileged. For example, certain medical or mental health information may be protected by privacy laws and not disclosed in response to a FOIA request.

What Are South Carolina Prison and Jail Records?

According to recent data, South Carolina has a total prison population of approximately 38,000. Out of these, around 21,000 are in state prisons, with another 11,000 in local jails. Additionally, there are about 4,600 inmates in federal prisons, while juvenile detention facilities house approximately 690 minor inmates.

The statistics show that a significant proportion of the prison population in South Carolina is incarcerated for violent crimes. Twenty-one percent of the prison population committed murder, making it the most common offense for which inmates are incarcerated.

Robbery and burglary are also significant contributors to the prison population, with 12.8% and 13.3% of inmates serving time for these offenses, respectively.

Drug charges are another significant factor contributing to the prison population in South Carolina, with almost 16% of inmates serving time for drug-related offenses. Sexual assault is another common offense, accounting for 8.3% of the prison population.

These numbers highlight the importance of addressing drug abuse and violence in South Carolina's criminal justice system.

It is worth noting that these statistics represent the reality of South Carolina's prison population, but they do not tell the whole story. Each inmate has unique circumstances and backgrounds, and it is essential to consider these factors when examining the state's criminal justice system.

What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in South Carolina?

South Carolina's correctional system comprises various facilities with specific functions and purposes. Having a clear understanding of these facilities is crucial for those seeking to conduct an inmate search or gain insight into the state's penal system.

The following outlines the various kinds of prisons and jails in South Carolina and their distinguishing features:

South Carolina State Prisons

South Carolina state prisons are correctional facilities operated by the SCDC to house and manage individuals convicted of crimes and sentenced to serve time in prison.

The SCDC operates 21 state prisons, which are categorized into four: closed-security, medium-security, minimum-security, and community-based work/pre-release centers. These facilities are responsible for managing the custody, care, and rehabilitation of individuals serving more than one-year sentences.

South Carolina County Jails

South Carolina county jails house individuals arrested and awaiting trial or sentencing for criminal offenses. These jails are responsible for providing for inmates' basic needs, such as shelter, food, and medical care, as well as ensuring the safety and security of inmates and staff.

In South Carolina, each county is responsible for operating its jail, and the oversight of county jails is the responsibility of the county Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office manages the jail and ensures it follows all state and federal laws and regulations.

In 2020, South Carolina had 50 jails distributed across 46 counties. However, this number may have been updated since then. To obtain an updated list of county jails in South Carolina, including their contact details, individuals can contact the South Carolina Sheriff's Association via phone, fax, or through its contact form.

Interested parties can also specify the county of interest and request the relevant information.

The South Carolina Sheriff's Association is an organization that represents all county sheriffs in the state. It provides a forum for communication and cooperation between sheriffs and other South Carolina law enforcement agencies.

South Carolina Federal Prisons

South Carolina is home to several federal prisons that house inmates from all over the country convicted of federal crimes. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) operates these prisons and designs them to provide secure and safe facilities for individuals convicted of serious crimes.

As of 2023, South Carolina has four federal correctional facilities with medium security institutions and nearby satellite camps with minimum security. Below are the federal prisons in South Carolina:

These facilities aim to promote public safety by humanely incarcerating individuals and helping them prepare for successful reentry into society.

They offer numerous programs and services, such as educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and medical and mental health care to support the rehabilitation of inmates and reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

South Carolina Juvenile Detention Centers

South Carolina juvenile detention centers temporarily house and detain minors accused of committing crimes. The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) typically runs these facilities and is responsible for providing care, custody, and supervision of juvenile offenders while they await trial or sentencing.

The centers are staffed by trained professionals who provide vocational programs, social work, psychology and psychiatry services, health care, and various rehabilitative and employment programs for youth.

As of 2023, there are five juvenile detention centers in South Carolina, and these are the following:

Coastal Regional Evaluation Center
Upstate Regional Evaluation Center
Midlands Regional Evaluation Center
Broad River Road Complex (BRRC)
Juvenile Detention Center

How To Perform Inmate Search in South Carolina

Performing a South Carolina Inmate Search can be essential for various reasons. Fortunately, the process can be straightforward and easily accomplished by following simple instructions.

Firstly, to locate someone incarcerated in an SCDC facility, the seeker must visit the SCDC website and select "Research" from the top menu. Next, they must choose "SCDC Inmate Search" from the right side menu. Once there, click "Search for Incarcerated Inmate" to get into the inmate search page.

On the inmate search page, the person can enter the inmate's name, SCDC ID, or State Identification (SID) into the provided form. After entering the required information, click the "Submit" button to begin the search.

Once the person has submitted their search, a results table will appear, containing the inmate's SCDC ID, name, age, sex, race, height, and weight. One can click on any row in the table to see further details about the inmate, including mugshots, housing facility information, and their conviction(s).

To locate or obtain information about a federal prison inmate in South Carolina, a person must follow distinct procedures compared to when searching for a state inmate. They need to contact the FBOP or the facility directly. Alternatively, the FBOP offers an Inmate Locator tool that individuals can use to retrieve federal inmate information.

For an inmate in a county jail, the individual must contact the local county Sheriff's Office. Some Sheriff's Offices offer websites with an offender search feature, while others provide jail rosters or inmate lists.

Lastly, looking up an inmate in a South Carolina juvenile detention center online is not feasible since juvenile records are usually confidential. However, those qualified parties seeking information about a specific individual may contact the DJJ or facility directly.

How To Contact an Inmate in South Carolina

There are several ways to contact an inmate in South Carolina. But the first thing to do is find out the name and location of the correctional facility currently holding the inmate. An individual can verify this information by performing the South Carolina Inmate Search.

Once the name and location of the facility are known, one can explore the options for contacting the inmate in South Carolina.

One of the most common methods of communication is by telephone calls. Inmates in South Carolina can make collect calls, and the receiver is responsible for paying for the call. To accept a collect call, the person receiving it must set up an account with the phone provider used by the correctional facility.

South Carolina's phone service provider is GTL (Global Tel*Link) ConnectNetwork. To set up a pre-pay phone account, visit the GTL ConnectNetwork website or call 1-866-230-7761 or 1-800-483-8314.

Another way to contact an inmate in South Carolina is through email. SCDC institutions offer electronic messaging services through ConnectNetwork, which requires creating and activating an account, purchasing email credits, and composing and sending messages. Inmates can use a secure kiosk in their housing unit to type and send return messages.

The last option for contacting an inmate in South Carolina is by mail. The facility staff inspects all incoming and outgoing mail, so follow their guidelines to ensure it is delivered. The envelope must include the inmate's full name and ID number, and there may be restrictions on what can be sent, such as no photos or specific publications.

The methods discussed above only apply to SCDC facilities. Individuals must contact the appropriate agency or facility directly to communicate with an inmate incarcerated outside the SCDC institutions. Furthermore, visiting the facility's website can help individuals explore communication options.

How To Visit an Inmate in South Carolina

Individuals who wish to visit an inmate in a South Carolina state prison can follow the visiting rules provided by the SCDC.

Firstly, the visitor must know the inmate's location. The South Carolina Inmate Search can confirm this information using the inmate's name or SCDC ID number.

Upon verification of the facility, the prospective visitor must obtain the necessary visiting application forms from the inmate. Inmates receive visiting application forms upon incarceration and are instructed to give them to the individuals they wish to see.

Once the applicant obtains the form, complete and mail it to the Division of Visitation and Inmate Drug Testing. The division processes all applications and updates the visiting list once a week.

Once approved, visitors can use the GTL scheduler to schedule a visit. Generally, the authorities will schedule in-person visits for general population inmates with visitation privileges in 2-hour blocks from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Each SCDC facility has different visitation rules, which the visitor must understand before arriving. The SCDC has categorically differentiated the visitation guidelines for minimum-security and female institutions, medium-security institutions with contact visitation, and medium and close-security institutions with non-contact visitation.

Generally, family members or relatives visiting inmates must bring a valid photo ID. Moreover, the authorities will arrest and prohibit individuals who attempt to bring contraband into SCDC from revisiting the facility.

Aside from in-person visits, South Carolina prisons also allow virtual visitation. One must complete the SCDC Form 19-127 to obtain visiting privileges for virtual visitation. If an inmate desires their visit, they must provide them with the form to complete.

To visit an inmate outside the SCDC facilities, individuals should contact the appropriate agency or the inmate's housing facility. They may also refer to the facility's website to access current visitation rules, protocols, and schedules.

How To Send Money to an Inmate in South Carolina

Inmates in South Carolina must rely on their relatives and friends to send them money while serving their sentences. However, depositors must follow specific rules and regulations to ensure the transaction is successful and that the inmate does not face disciplinary action from the state agency.

The SCDC administers a cashless system for inmates. The department prohibits inmates from possessing cash or using debit, credit, or Green Dot cards. Nonetheless, each inmate in the department has a Cooper Trust Fund Account, enabling them to purchase within the institution.

Through GTL financial services, relatives and acquaintances of inmates can deposit funds into the inmate's Trust Fund. The private financial provider accepts deposits in-person, by phone, online, through an app, and by mail.

To send money, the depositor must create an account on GTL's ConnectNetwork. Then, they can choose the deposit method that suits them best.

Walk-In Deposits

Depositing money into an inmate's Trust Fund account at a retail location is a viable option for providing funds for a detainee in South Carolina. To accomplish this, the sender must make a PaySlip on ConnectNetwork by selecting "Walk-In Retail (Pay in Cash)" Then, deliver the funds and PaySlip to the nearest retail location.

Call-In Deposits

By contacting (888) 988-4768, depositors can also send money to a prisoner in South Carolina. To complete the transaction effectively, depositors must stick to the voice prompts.

Online Deposits

Individuals can use this link to send money online with a credit or debit card. This option is the quickest and easiest way to transfer funds to loved ones. Individuals must select the SCDC as the facility when creating an account.

Deposits through Mobile App

Another option to send money to an inmate in an SCDC facility is downloading and installing the ConnectNetwork app. In this method, the sender can conveniently send money from anywhere. The application is accessible on Android and iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads.

Mail a Money Order

Inmates at the SCDC can receive money from their loved ones through money orders, which can be sent via mail. To send a money order, the depositor must first download a deposit slip, fill it out, and then mail it to the GTL Financial Services mailing address.

Depositors must not mail money orders to SCDC or state prison, as these transactions will not succeed. GTL typically processes money orders payable to them within three working days.

Remember that all transactions, except money orders, often incur additional charges.

Sending money to inmates in state prisons differs from other correctional facilities in South Carolina. Some facilities also use GTL's ConnectNetwork. However, others offer various vendors to deposit money for inmates online. Individuals should contact the agency or facility or check their websites for information on sending money to its inmates.

Counties in South Carolina

List of Content

What Are South Carolina Inmate Records?
What Are South Carolina Prison and Jail Records?
1. What Are the Types of Prisons and Jails in South Carolina?
How To Perform Inmate Search in South Carolina
How To Contact an Inmate in South Carolina
How To Visit an Inmate in South Carolina
How To Send Money to an Inmate in South Carolina