South Carolina State Prisons
20 facilities- SCDC - Allendale Correctional Institution
- SCDC - Broad River Correctional Institution
- SCDC - Broad River Secure Facility
- SCDC - Evans Correctional Institution
- SCDC - Goodman Correctional Institution
Federal Facilities in South Carolina
4 facilitiesSouth Carolina County Jails
44 facilities- Abbeville County Detention Center
- Aiken County SC Detention Center
- Allendale County SC Detention Center
- Alvin S Glenn Detention Center
- Anderson County SC Detention Center
South Carolina Department of Corrections
South Carolina DOC's SWORD (Statewide Online Web-based Research Database) allows searches by SCDC number or name. South Carolina has 46 counties - each with its own detention center for pretrial and misdemeanor sentences.
The official inmate search is available at sword.scdc.sc.gov/SWORD/default.aspx. FCI Edgefield and FCI Estill are federal facilities in South Carolina.
Visitation in South Carolina Facilities
SCDC visitor approval requires a visitor application. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. Dress code strictly enforced - no blue, brown, tan, khaki, or camouflage clothing (matches inmate uniforms).
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our South Carolina prison directory.
Sending Mail to South Carolina Inmates
South Carolina DOC mail requires the SCDC number. Standard 4x6 photos accepted. South Carolina has been transitioning to electronic mail at some facilities - verify current policy for your facility.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to South Carolina facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from South Carolina Facilities
South Carolina is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. Securus Technologies holds the SCDC contract.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our South Carolina prison directory.
Sending Money to South Carolina Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for South Carolina:
- JPay (primary for SCDC)
- Money orders at some facilities
- Lobby kiosks
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in South Carolina
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in South Carolina:
- South Carolina DOC Reentry - Official reentry programs
- South Carolina Legal Services - Free civil legal help statewide
- Palmetto Project - Social services and reentry support
- Carolina Reentry Alliance - Statewide reentry network
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Prisons
What is the SCDC number?
Every South Carolina state inmate is assigned a unique SCDC number when they enter state custody. It must appear on all mail sent to SCDC facilities and is required for the SCDC SWORD database search at sword.scdc.sc.gov. Find it by searching the inmate's full legal name. County detention detainees have their own booking numbers that are separate from SCDC numbers. Once assigned at state intake, the SCDC number is permanent for the sentence regardless of facility transfers.
What is Kirkland Correctional Institution?
Kirkland Correctional Institution in Columbia is the reception and intake center for South Carolina DOC - the facility where all newly sentenced male inmates enter the state system. At Kirkland, new inmates undergo comprehensive classification: medical and mental health screening, educational assessment, security risk evaluation, and facility assignment. The classification process typically takes 4 - 8 weeks. During this period, communication can be irregular and facility transfers happen without much notice. If your family member was recently sentenced and transferred to SCDC custody, they are almost certainly at Kirkland before being moved to their permanent assignment.
Does South Carolina have free prison phone calls?
No - South Carolina has not eliminated phone call fees. Securus Technologies holds the SCDC contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps apply to interstate calls from state facilities, reducing costs from historical highs, but calls are not free. South Carolina's 46 county detention centers each contract separately for phone services, and county rates vary. Set up a Securus prepaid account for state facility calls rather than accepting collect calls.
How do I find someone in a South Carolina county detention center?
South Carolina has 46 county detention centers for pretrial detainees and misdemeanor sentences. The SCDC SWORD database covers state prison inmates only. Contact the county detention center or county sheriff's office directly for pretrial detainees. Most South Carolina counties maintain online inmate rosters. Richland County in Columbia and Charleston County are the largest county detention facilities. If you don't know which county, start with where the arrest occurred.
What happened at Lee Correctional Institution in 2018?
On April 15, 2018, a fight at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville escalated into the deadliest US prison riot in 25 years. Seven inmates were killed and 20 more injured during a night of violence involving multiple gangs fighting over contraband cell phones and territory. The uprising was attributed to chronic overcrowding, severe understaffing, and the prevalence of contraband phones that allowed gangs to coordinate. The incident prompted a SCDC-wide crackdown on contraband and staffing reviews. Lee CI continues to operate and houses close-security inmates in Sumter County.
Can I visit an SCDC facility?
Yes, with advance approval. Submit a visitor application and wait for written approval before attempting any visit - processing takes 2 - 4 weeks including a background check. SCDC enforces one of the strictest dress codes of any state system: no blue denim, no brown or tan clothing, no khaki, no camouflage - violations mean being turned away at the gate. Call the specific facility the day before your planned visit to confirm current visiting hours and any temporary restrictions. Approval is required for all adult visitors without exception.