South Carolina Inmate Search

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) manages 21 correctional facilities that house more than 16,000 inmates. These facilities serve a variety of demographics and operate at different custody levels. Additionally, South Carolina has 45 county jails, with a jail population of 11,971 in 2022. The number of inmates varies by county, with Greenville (1,626) and Spartanburg (1,536) having the highest inmate counts in the state.

In compliance with the State's Freedom of Information Act, South Carolina offers several options, including an inmate search tool, for accessing inmate information. An inmate search tool provides detailed information about whether an individual is in custody in South Carolina. It can also reveal an inmate's current location and upcoming court dates.

What is South Carolina's Inmate Lookup?

South Carolina Inmate lookup typically involves searching for information about inmates incarcerated in any of the state-run correctional facilities. Interested persons may look up inmates in South Carolina using the statewide inmate search portal. Alternatively, interested persons may find out who is in a state-run correctional facility by calling (866) 727-2846.

Inmate lookup services play a crucial role in promoting transparency within correctional facilities. In South Carolina, these services allow anyone to easily access important information about inmates, including their name, custody status, charges that resulted in their imprisonment, and current location.

In addition, inmate lookup services in South Carolina also provide details on how to contact or visit the facility where an inmate is located. This information is essential for families and friends, enabling them to communicate regularly with their loved ones in prison.

What Information Can You Find in a South Carolina Inmate Search?

South Carolina inmate searches typically generate the following information as feedback to requesters:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's date of birth
• Gender
• Custody status
• Inmate's ID number
• Current location of incarceration
• The reason for being incarcerated

How Are Inmate Records Created and Stored?

In South Carolina, inmate records are created by local police, county Sheriff's Offices, and correctional institutions as individuals move through the justice system. When someone is arrested, the arresting officer completes a RAP sheet. This sheet includes the person's name, address, phone number, physical description, and details about the crime. If the individual is convicted and sentenced to a state correctional facility, the RAP sheet is sent to the South Carolina Inmate Records Office, specifically the Reception and Evaluation Section. This office is responsible for processing and entering sentencing documents for all inmates the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) receives.

Upon arrival, each inmate submits a commitment letter to the SCDC. The Reception and Evaluation Section reviews the commitment letter, along with any detainer notifications and past arrests or convictions. After this, they issue an SCDC number to the inmate. They then create an inmate central record using numbered file folders. This central record contains the face sheet, sentencing documents, a newly generated NCIC/FBI RAP sheet, and other relevant documents. If the inmate has previously been incarcerated with the SCDC, a request will be made to retrieve their prior records from inactive status.

After reviewing these records for discrepancies and uploading them, the public can conduct an inmate lookup at any time, day or night.

What Does South Carolina's Prison System Look Like?

The South Carolina state prison system comprises 21 correctional facilities overseen by the state's Department of Corrections (SCDC). These prisons are categorized into four distinct custody levels: minimum-security prisons, medium-security prisons, close-security prisons, and maximum-security prisons.

Minimum-security prisons are custody facilities that house inmates with either a minimum-out or minimum-in custody classification. These facilities typically house non-violent offenders with relatively short sentences or time to serve.

Medium-security prisons are more secure facilities designed to house offenders with classification custody of ME. In contrast, close-security prisons are high-security facilities designed to house violent offenders with longer sentences and inmates who exhibit behavioral problems. On the other hand, maximum-security prisons are intended for inmates who are considered dangerous and escape risks.

In South Carolina, the architectural design of a prison, the type of housing, operational procedures, and the number of security personnel determine the facility's custody level. Inmates are assigned to facilities based on their specific security, programming, medical, educational, and work requirements.

At least 4,5000 employees are working across the various facilities overseen by the SCDC.

Types of Correctional Facilities in South Carolina

South Carolina has a comprehensive correctional system, including 21 state prisons specifically designed for adult offenders. The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) manages these facilities. The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) manages these facilities. The SCDC is responsible for operating the prisons and implementing various reentry programs and support services aimed at helping inmates reintegrate into society after their release.

In addition to the adult prison system, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) oversees several facilities for young offenders. The DJJ manages three regional evaluation centers, which are designed to assess the needs and situations of juvenile offenders and help determine the best course of action for rehabilitation. Furthermore, the department operates one detention facility for juveniles awaiting trial or sentencing and one long-term commitment facility that provides care and treatment for those who are placed there for extended periods.

On the federal level, South Carolina hosts four stand-alone federal prisons and four federal prison camps, accommodating individuals convicted of federal crimes. Many counties in South Carolina also have county jails for suspects awaiting trial.

South Carolina State Prison

South Carolina is home to 21 state prisons. Each of these prisons is designed to accommodate a diverse range of populations. They also cater to various classifications of inmates, including those who have minimum, medium, and maximum security risks. Each prison is tailored to meet the unique needs of its demographic, providing specialized programs and services to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Below is the list of all prison facilities in South Carolina:

• Allendale Correctional Institution
• Broad River Correctional Institution
• Broad River Secure Facility
• Graham Correctional Institution
• Evans Correctional Institution
• Goodman Correctional Institution
• Kershaw Correctional Institution
• Leath Correctional Institution
• Lee Correctional Institution
• Lieber Correctional Institution
• Livesay A Correctional Institution
• Livesay B Correctional Institution
• MacDougall Correctional Institution
• McCormick Correctional Institution
• Perry Correctional Institution
• Ridgeland Correctional Institution
• Trenton Correctional Institution
• Turbeville Correctional Institution
• Tyger River Correctional Institution
• Wateree Correctional Institution
• Manning Reentry/Work Release Center

South Carolina County Jails

South Carolina is home to 45 county jails that serve its 46 counties, with each prison operated by the local Sheriff's Office. These jails hold individuals who are either awaiting trial (pretrial detainees) or serving short-term sentences for their offenses. Many local Sheriff's Offices and police departments offer online inmate searches. These tools help the public find information about people held in county jails, promoting transparency. County jails in South Carolina vary in size and resources to meet the needs of their communities. They often provide rehabilitation programs and support for inmates, such as educational classes and substance abuse counseling. Below is a list of some county jails operated by different Sheriff's Offices across the state:

• Colleton County Jail
• Lancaster County Detention Center
• Charleston County Detention
• Greenwood County Detention Center
• Fairfield County Detention Center
• Clarendon County Detention Center
• Marion County Detention Center
• Pickens County Detention Center
• Georgetown County Detention
• Cherokee County Detention
• York County Prison

South Carolina Juvenile Detention Centers

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice oversees all youth detention centers in the state. It also oversees the provision of custodial care and rehabilitation for youths between the ages of 12 and 21 who are incarcerated, on probation or parole, or in community placement for a criminal offense. The juvenile facilities in South Carolina include the following:

• DJJ Midland Regional Evaluation Center
• DJJ Coastal Regional Evaluation Center
• DJJ Upstate Regional Evaluation Center
• DJJ's Central Juvenile Detention Center
• Broad River Road Complex Commitment Facility

South Carolina Community Correctional Facilities

Under state law, community correctional facilities in South Carolina provide courts with a more affordable alternative to placing offenders in secure state correctional institutions. These facilities serve several important purposes, including promoting the successful reintegration of offenders into society before their release. They play a critical role in supervising and rehabilitating nonviolent offenders, especially those struggling with drug and alcohol dependencies.

By providing structured environments, community correctional facilities support individuals in making positive life changes. One notable example of a community correctional facility in South Carolina is the Alston Wilkes Society (AWS). This organization is a private, nonprofit entity with chapters in various cities throughout the state. AWS is dedicated to offering comprehensive support services to current and former inmates and their families. The AWS operates two halfway facilities that assist individuals in transitioning back into the community after incarceration, providing them with a safe and supportive living environment.

Additionally, the organization runs a prison visitation program, facilitating connections between inmates and their loved ones and helping maintain important familial bonds during incarceration. Furthermore, AWS addresses prisoner grievances, ensuring that inmates have a channel to voice their concerns and seek resolution. The organization also operates a youth home aimed at providing guidance and support to at-risk youths. To aid in reintegration, AWS assists ex-inmates in finding gainful employment, helping them build stable lives and reduce recidivism.

Why are People Incarcerated in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a person can be incarcerated for committing either a misdemeanor or a felony. These criminal offenses are further classified into various personal offenses, sex offenses, drug offenses, and property offenses. Typically, person and sex offenses are considered violent crimes, while drug and property offenses, along with some lesser offenses, are deemed non-violent. Person offenses that can lead to incarceration in South Carolina include murder, armed robbery, manslaughter, assault, battery, attempted murder, extortion, kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, stalking, and vehicular homicide. Sex offenses encompass crimes such as rape, child rape and abuse, aggravated rape, incest, sexual assault, violations of the sex offender registry, assault with intent to commit rape, and indecent assault and battery of a child.

Property offenses that may result in incarceration include arson, unarmed burglary (or breaking and entering), theft (larceny), fraud, shoplifting, embezzlement, possession of burglary tools, destruction of property, and receiving stolen goods. Drug offenses generally involve unlawful possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensing (or intent to distribute), and use of controlled substances as defined by state law. Those interested in conducting an inmate search to find out why someone is incarcerated in a South Carolina correctional facility may use the state's inmate search portal.

South Carolina's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

As of 2022, South Carolina's incarceration rate stood at 302 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 616 per 100,000. However, the state's incarceration rate suggests that South Carolina locks up a higher percentage of its citizens than most states in the country. In addition, the state's incarceration rate has decreased since 2017, when the Southern Legislative Conference report placed the state's incarceration rate at 397.84 inmates per 100,000 residents.

The table below shows South Carolina's year-end incarceration rate over a 7-year period.

Life After Incarceration in South Carolina

In South Carolina, an incarcerated individual can be released under the following conditions: if they have completed their sentence, if they are on parole, if they are on probation, if they are under community supervision, or if they are participating in supervised reentry. As of year-end 2021, 15.6% of inmates released completed their sentence, 19.2% were released on parole, and 29.2% were released on probation. Before an inmate is released, the South Dakota Department of Corrections provides a range of reentry services that address the specific needs of inmates about to be released.

The process of preparing individuals for reentry services begins 24 months before release. The first six months of this time are spent in classes, which involve preparing returning citizens to complete job applications and interviews and learning soft skills. Also, preparation for placement in transitional housing begins if necessary. The last 18 months before release are spent working in a Prison Industries position, completing the GED if needed, in a PUSD Vocational program, or in an SCDC job that provides job skills training.

South Carolina's efforts to ensure the smooth reentry of released inmates back into society have yielded significant results in recent years. Only 24.5% of inmates released from the state's correctional facilities commit a repeat offense, suggesting that only a few persons released from prison return to prison.

How Does Parole Work in South Carolina?

The South Carolina parole board reviews each inmate's progress, and when they feel a prisoner is rehabilitated and not a danger to society, they may release them early before finishing their sentence. When this happens, the inmate is given a list of stipulations they must comply with. If the inmate does not check in regularly with their parole officer or violates the other rules, they will return to prison to finish their sentences. As of December 2022, South Carolina's parole population stood at 3,510.

South Carolina Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in South Carolina?

Probation is a supervisory program ordered by a judge as an alternative to incarceration, allowing the convicted person to remain in the community. This privilege is often given to non-violent, first-time offenders. However, anyone on probation in the state must comply with a list of court-ordered rules. Failure to comply with these rules may lead to the revocation of the probation and immediate incarceration. As of year-end 2022, there were 26,130 individuals on probation in South Carolina.

South Carolina Probation Population in 2022