South Carolina does not use a centralized mail scanning address. All personal mail goes directly to the facility where the inmate is housed. Books shifted to an approved-vendor-only system effective October 1, 2025. Money deposits are restricted to approved visitors effective November 3, 2025.
South Carolina SCDC refers to incarcerated people as "inmates" throughout its materials. SCDC operates 21 prisons serving approximately 16,000 inmates.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
Mail goes directly to the institution. The address format is:
[Inmate's Legal Name]
[SCDC Number]
[Living Unit / Dorm]
[Full Institution Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State, Zip]
Return address in the upper-left corner of the envelope is required - include your complete name and address.
Find the inmate's SCDC number, institution, and dorm/living unit using the SCDC inmate search at doc.sc.gov/inmate-search-disclaimer. Click the inmate's name to see the detail report showing SCDC ID, location, and dorm-room-bunk. Institution mailing addresses are listed at doc.sc.gov/institutions.
All mail is opened and inspected by mailroom staff before delivery. Legal mail is opened in the presence of the inmate. Mail is not read unless there is reason to believe a violation or illegal activity is present.
Inmates cannot receive: cash, stamps, writing materials, food, drink, or tobacco through the mail.
Photos
Up to 10 photos per envelope are permitted. If more than 10 are sent, the inmate may select 10 and the rest go to contraband or are discarded.
No photos for inmates in RHU (Restricted Housing Unit) or R&E (Reception and Evaluation).
Newspaper and magazine clippings, crossword puzzle pages, and printed internet pages (except from the SCDC website): up to 5 pages per envelope, provided the contents do not depict questionable material.
General population inmates may receive books, magazines, and newspapers if sent directly from the publisher or a licensed bookstore and paid for in advance. See the book section below for the approved vendor list (effective October 1, 2025).
Inmates in lockup areas are limited in what they may receive. Contact the institution directly or ask the inmate before sending anything beyond a letter.
Books and publications - approved vendors only (effective October 1, 2025)
Effective October 1, 2025, inmates may only receive books sent directly from one of these approved vendors:
- Hamilton Book (hamiltonbook.com)
- Books N Things Warehouse (booksnthingswarehouse.com)
- Books2Inmates (bookstoinmates.com)
- SureShot Books Publishing, LLC (sureshotbooks.com)
- Barnes & Noble - online only (barnesandnoble.com)
- Books-A-Million - online only (booksamillion.com)
Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million: online purchases only. Books purchased in-store and shipped directly to an inmate will be rejected and sent to contraband - they will not be returned to the sender.
Books from any other source or vendor will be rejected. Rejected books go to contraband and are not returned to the sender.
A legitimate invoice or receipt on business stationery/letterhead must be enclosed with the books showing they were paid for in advance.
Only paperback books are allowed. Hardback books are prohibited.
Books may still be rejected for content under SCDC Policy PS-10.08.
Magazines and other subscription publications do not need to come from the approved vendor list, but must be paid for in advance, addressed to the inmate, and sent directly from a verified online subscription source.
Inmates in intake status or restricted housing (RHU) may not receive any publications, including newspapers and magazines.
Quarterly packages - Access Securepak
SCDC runs a quarterly package program through Access Securepak. Families and friends (and inmates themselves) may order approved food items, hygiene products, and seasonal clothing through this program.
3rd Quarter 2026 dates:
- Ordering open: June 23, 2026 - July 23, 2026
- Mail-in order postmark deadline: July 16, 2026
Ways to order:
- Online: SouthCarolinaPackages.com
- Phone: 1-800-546-6283
- Mail: Access Securepak (SC), 10880 Linpage Place, St. Louis, MO 63132
Spending limits:
- Food/snacks: $250 maximum; limit of 12 of any single item (Ramen limited to 4 x 24-packs)
- Hygiene items: 3 total
- Step Down Unit inmates: $50 limit
- GPH patients: $100 limit
Processing fee: $5.95 nonrefundable on all mail, phone, and web orders.
Payment: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, prepaid credit cards with a verifiable U.S. address, cashier's check, or money order. No prepaid cards without a valid U.S. billing address.
Clothing is only available in the 1st and 3rd quarters.
Inmates may also order packages for themselves or for immediate SCDC family members using the Cooper Trust Fund Withdrawal form (SCDC Form 15-1).
Questions or order status: 1-800-546-6283 or CustomerService@AccessCatalog.com.
Electronic messaging - GettingOut
Electronic messaging is available at all SCDC institutions through GettingOut (gettingout.com). Create an account, purchase email credits (stamps), and send messages. Inmates reply via secure kiosks in their housing unit.
Requires a valid email address and a Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, or prepaid debit card. iOS and Android apps available.
All electronic messages may be reviewed by SCDC staff. Messages with inappropriate content may be blocked.
Important: messaging is permanently disabled for all inmates housed in Restrictive Housing Units (RHU). Inmates in RHU may only be contacted by approved phone calls and written mail. FM Radio app remains available on RHU tablets for audio content.
Sending money - ViaPath/ConnectNetwork
SCDC operates a cashless system. Inmates use a Cooper Trust Fund Account with a magnetic-strip ID card that functions as a debit card for commissary purchases.
Effective November 3, 2025, deposits are restricted to individuals on the inmate's approved visitor list. Anyone not on the approved visitor list cannot deposit funds. The visitor application and approval process can take time - start it as soon as possible.
ViaPath (formerly GTL, also known as ConnectNetwork) is the exclusive money transfer provider for SCDC.
Online: web.connectnetwork.com/payments-support/trust-fund/ - select "South Carolina Dept. of Corrections" when creating your account.
Mobile app: ConnectNetwork app - Android or iOS (free).
Phone: (888) 428-1845 (automated); live agent 24/7 at (877) 650-4249.
Money order by mail - no fees on money orders:
- Make payable to: TouchPay Holdings, LLC
- Include the completed deposit slip (available at doc.sc.gov)
- The sender's name must match exactly the name on the inmate's approved visitor list
- Include your Visitor ID Number (found in the upper-right corner of the GTL/ViaPath scheduling system at scdoc.gtlvisitme.com)
- Money orders not meeting both criteria may be returned
- Mail to: TouchPay Holdings SCDOC / PO Box 649535 / Dallas TX 75264-9535
- Do not mail money orders to SCDC or individual facilities
- Funds available within 3 business days of receipt
Walk-in cash: over 26,000 retail locations including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, and Kroger. Start the transaction at ConnectNetwork.com or the app (select "Walk-In Retail - Pay in Cash") and bring your PaySlip to the store.
Fee schedule (confirmed from official SCDC family page):
$0.01-$50.00: online $4 / phone $5 / money order $0 / walk-in $4.95
$50.01-$100.00: online $6 / phone $7 / money order $0 / walk-in $4.95
$100.01-$200.00: online $8 / phone $9 / money order $0 / walk-in $4.95
$200.01-$300.00: online $10 / phone $11 / money order $0 / walk-in $4.95
Finding your Visitor ID:
- GTL/ViaPath website: log into scdoc.gtlvisitme.com - Visitor ID appears in the top-right corner next to Log Off.
- App: Account Settings > Manage Visitors > Manage Visitor Group - your name, birthdate, and Visitor ID are displayed.
Phone calls - ViaPath/GTL (ConnectNetwork)
SCDC uses ViaPath (GTL) for all inmate phone services.
Rate: 5.5 cents per minute to anywhere in the US (effective February 1, 2019).
Each inmate has a Personal Allowed Number (PAN) list of up to 20 phone numbers, created automatically from numbers called. Once 20 different numbers have been called, no new numbers are added. The list resets once per year.
PINs: inmates receive their PIN within one week of admission.
Hours - effective October 27, 2025:
- Medium and close custody male inmates: 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. only
- Minimum security and female inmates: no restricted hours
Inmates may not call toll-free numbers.
Cell phone calls must use a prepaid AdvancePay account funded by the family member. Set up at ConnectNetwork.com.
All calls are recorded and monitored. Called parties may block calls from the inmate or from SCDC.
Customer service: (877) 650-4249
What to know before you send anything
Letters go directly to the facility - include the inmate's legal name, SCDC number, living unit, full institution name, and complete address. Put your full return address in the upper left corner.
Find SCDC number, facility, and living unit at doc.sc.gov/inmate-search-disclaimer. Facility addresses at doc.sc.gov/institutions.
Photos: max 10 per envelope; no nudity; no photos for RHU or R&E inmates.
Clippings/printouts: max 5 pages per envelope; no questionable content.
Books: approved vendors only (October 1, 2025) - Hamilton Book, Books N Things Warehouse, Books2Inmates, SureShot Books, Barnes & Noble online, Books-A-Million online. Paperback only. Invoice required. Rejected books go to contraband and are not returned.
Magazines/subscriptions: directly from verified online subscription source; paid in advance.
No publications for intake or RHU inmates.
Packages: quarterly program through Access Securepak. 3rd Quarter 2026: orders June 23-July 23. Online at SouthCarolinaPackages.com or call 1-800-546-6283.
Money: ViaPath/ConnectNetwork only. Must be approved visitor (effective November 3, 2025). Online, app, phone (888) 428-1845, money order (no fee), or cash walk-in. Money orders payable to TouchPay Holdings LLC; mail to PO Box 649535, Dallas TX 75264-9535.
Electronic messaging: GettingOut (gettingout.com). Disabled for all RHU inmates.
Phone: 5.5 cents/minute. Up to 20 numbers (PAN list). Medium/close custody males: 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. only. Customer service: (877) 650-4249.
General info line: 803-896-8500.
Related pages:
/prisons/south-carolina
How to send money to a South Carolina inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to an SCDC inmate?
Directly to the facility. Use the inmate's legal name, SCDC number, living unit, full institution name, and complete address. Find all of this at doc.sc.gov/inmate-search-disclaimer. Facility addresses are at doc.sc.gov/institutions.
How many photos can I send?
Up to 10 per envelope. More than 10 and the inmate picks 10 - the rest go to contraband. No photos for RHU or R&E inmates.
Can I send a book?
Only from an approved vendor list (effective October 1, 2025): Hamilton Book, Books N Things Warehouse, Books2Inmates, SureShot Books, Barnes & Noble online, Books-A-Million online. Paperback only. Include invoice. No hardbacks. Non-approved sources are rejected and not returned.
Can I order a package?
Yes, through the quarterly Access Securepak program. 3rd Quarter 2026: orders June 23-July 23. Visit SouthCarolinaPackages.com or call 1-800-546-6283.
How do I send money?
Through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list (required since November 3, 2025). Online at ConnectNetwork.com, by app, by phone at (888) 428-1845, or by money order (no fee) to TouchPay Holdings SCDOC, PO Box 649535, Dallas TX 75264-9535.
How do I find my Visitor ID for money orders?
Log into scdoc.gtlvisitme.com - your Visitor ID is in the top-right corner. Or in the app: Account Settings > Manage Visitors > Manage Visitor Group.
How do I set up phone calls?
Set up a ConnectNetwork account at ConnectNetwork.com. For cell phones, fund an AdvancePay account. Rate is 5.5 cents per minute. Customer service: (877) 650-4249.
Can I send an electronic message?
Yes, through GettingOut at gettingout.com. Not available for RHU inmates. All messages may be reviewed by staff. ====================================================================