Cherokee County SC Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Cherokee Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 864-487-2529.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Cherokee Co Jail is a detention center located at 315 East Dr. L. M. Rosemond Blvd Gaffney, SC which is operated locally by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Cherokee County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Gaffney Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals. You can see all the arrest records for South Carolina here.

The Detention Center serves as the primary holding facility for all county and local inmates who are either awaiting trial or have been sentenced to a period of incarceration not exceeding 90 days. The facility operates under a direct supervision model, distinguishing it from traditional jails' absence of bars or cells. This approach emphasizes the active management of inmate behavior through direct interaction between staff and inmates within the housing units.

Following employment, each detention officer undergoes Basic Jail Training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Upon completing this training, officers return to the Detention Center to commence their assigned duties. The facility's operations are meticulously managed from a central control room, which oversees the functionality of all doors, lighting, climate control systems, telecommunication devices, and more than fifty surveillance cameras.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

The Detention Center maintains a strict environment devoid of various amenities typically associated with recreational or leisure activities. Inmates will not find televisions, radios, weight lifting equipment, newspapers, or recreational sports such as basketball within this facility. Such luxuries are deliberately excluded to emphasize the seriousness of incarceration and the facility's focus on security and order.

A significant technological advancement at the Detention Center is the acquisition of a LiveScan Device through a recently obtained grant. This device enables detention officers to electronically capture and submit fingerprints for identification and criminal history records, thereby eliminating the traditional method of using ink and paper. The electronic submissions are transmitted to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation via a high-speed data connection. The fingerprints are then analyzed, with responses regarding criminal history matches potentially being returned to the Detention Center within 15 minutes to 1 hour. This innovation significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of inmate processing and identification procedures.