Chester County SC Detention Center

County Jail

Last Updated: July 23, 2024
Address
2740 Dawson Dr, Chester, SC 29706
Beds
98
County
Chester
Phone
803-581-2602
Fax
803-581-0713
Email
walley@chestercounty.org

Chester Co Jail is for County Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for County - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Inmate Calling Solutions (ICSolutions), to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Chester County SC Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Chester Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 803-581-2602.

When someone you care about gets arrested, it can be overwhelming. This webpage aims to ease your concerns by providing information about Chester County SC Detention Center. From visitation guidelines to contacting jail staff, we're here to support you as you navigate this challenging time. Take a look around and let us help you understand how to best support your family member or friend in custody.

The Chester Co Jail, located at 2740 Dawson Dr in Chester, SC, is a secure detention center operated by the Chester County Sheriff's Office. This facility primarily houses individuals awaiting trial or sentencing, typically for less than two years. It accepts inmates from various jurisdictions, including surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service, and the Chester Police Department.

New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others await their court appearances at the facility, receiving necessary accommodations such as bedding and meals. View all arrest records here.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

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.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in South Carolina. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Chester County SC Detention Center.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Visitors to the Chester County Detention Center must present valid identification, which can include a driver’s license, state-issued ID card, passport, or military ID card. Minors under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult, and adults cannot sign in a minor and then leave the facility, as the Detention Center does not assume responsibility for unaccompanied minors. Items such as handbags and briefcases are not permitted inside the facility, and cell phones are strictly prohibited. Attorneys and clergy must present their professional identification cards in addition to another valid form of ID. Attorneys may bring briefcases, though these are subject to search.

Inmates, except for state inmates, are required to serve a minimum of seven days of incarceration before they are eligible for visitation. After this period, visitation schedules are determined by the inmate's classification. For pre-trial inmates, general population visitation occurs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, split into two one-hour sessions. Female pre-trial inmates have visitation on Monday from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and administrative segregation visits are held from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on the same night. Pre-trial inmates are allowed three visitors from an approved list of seven, with only one visitor permitted in the visitation room at a time while the others wait in the lobby.

For sentenced inmates who are not state inmates, visitation is divided based on the inmate's last name. Those with last names beginning with A-L have visitation on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, while those with last names starting with M-Z have visitation on Sunday during the same hours. Each sentenced inmate may receive visits from three individuals from an approved list of seven during any visitation period.

State inmates have visitation on both Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, with no fixed limit on the number of visitors. However, the shift supervisor may impose limitations if necessary for security reasons.

Former inmates of the Chester County Detention Center or Prison Camp who were charged with felonies or drug offenses are prohibited from visitation for 60 days post-release. After this period, they may visit following standard visitation policies. Former inmates with charges other than felonies or drug offenses are allowed to visit according to regular policies.

Professional clergy must arrange visits by appointment through the administration and provide verifiable clergy credentials and a photo ID. Clergy visits are typically granted once per inmate unless additional visits are justified by specific circumstances.

Attorney visits are scheduled as needed, provided they do not disrupt facility operations or compromise security. Special visits can be requested for family members with limited availability due to military leave, college, holidays, or living more than 50 miles from the facility, subject to administrative approval.

Visitors must adhere to a dress code that mandates shirts and shoes and prohibits clothing that exposes excessive amounts of skin, such as halter tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, see-through fabric, and shorts or skirts that are more than three inches above the knee. Clothing that excessively accentuates the body, including spandex, tights, and leggings, is also not allowed.

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.