South Carolina Department of Corrections (2024)

Both in-person and virtual visitation is available at all institutions. Any exceptions will be posted here as information becomes available.

As of June 25, 2024, the elevator at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center is out of service. All visitors to Kirkland will need to use the stairs to access the visitation room.

All visits must be scheduled at least 15 hours ahead by using the GTL scheduler.

Contact visits expand to some medium-security institutions

SCDC will now allow inmates at some medium-security prisons to visit their loved ones without plexiglass booths.

Those institutions are Allendale, Evans, MacDougall, Trenton and Tyger River.

These institutions join Camille Graham, Goodman, Leath, Livesay, Manning, Palmer and Wateree River to allow contact visits. This change took effect Dec. 3, 2022.

Visits at close-custody institutions and higher-security medium custody institutions will continue to be non-contact.

The visitation booths will remain in the visitation rooms. If visitors are caught with contraband, the institution could go back to non-contact visits. Also, if COVID-19 restrictions return, the department will resume using the plexiglass booths for visitation.

Anyone caught bringing contraband into SCDC will be arrested and prohibited from visiting again.

All visits still need to be scheduled through the GTL scheduler.

Visitation is now open on Saturdays and Sundays for all institutions not on covid quarantine.

Visits must be scheduled ahead of time on the SCDC/GTL scheduler. If you have not created an account, click here to do so.

For virtual visitation, you should first read carefully: the virtual visitation instructions and FAQ (PDF) before creating an account.

Visits will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be scheduled in 2-hour blocks. General population inmates with visitation privileges will be allowed four in-person visits per month.

Inmates may have one visit per weekend and up to four visits per month.

Inmates may have up to four visitors at a time, one of which must be an adult. Children of all ages can visit. Children age 10 and older must have a government-issued photo ID to visit. Children age nine and younger must show a long-form birth certificate.

Families of inmates who have visitation privileges and live in housing units other than general population need to schedule visits by calling the institution.

Questions? Email visitation@doc.sc.gov .

Virtual visits continue for inmates who are not in quarantine dorms. If you have questions, please email visitation@doc.sc.gov.

If covid cases arise at other institutions and housing units are put on quarantine, visits will be cancelled. Information will be distributed on the agency’s website here and on the agency’s Twitter feed. Please keep close watch because circ*mstances can change quickly with COVID.

Several changes will be in place. All visits must be scheduled ahead of time through the SCDC/GTL scheduler, located here on the agency’s website. This is the same process used to schedule virtual visits. To use the scheduler, visitors must be on the approved visitation list and do two things:

1. Register on the SCDC/GTL scheduling website. To register, click on this link, which is found under the visitation tab on the agency’s website.
2. After logging into the site, schedule your visit.

The agency asks anyone planning to visit to register as soon as possible. Information about how to do that can be found here.

Also, if you need to update your address or any other information on your account, please email a photograph or photocopy of your ID to visitation@doc.sc.gov.

Other changes include:

1. Visits will be non-contact except for a brief embrace at the beginning of the visit.
2. Visits at medium and close security institutions will be in newly installed visitation booths.
3. Proof of vaccination is not required for visitors or inmates.
4. All visitors will be screened for covid symptoms.
5. Mask requirements are determined by the institution’s COVID-19 Operations status:
   1. Visitors to institutions on “Everyday” status are encouraged to wear a surgical mask, which will be issued by the institution.
   2. Visitors to institutions on “Enhanced” status who are age four and older are required to wear a surgical mask, which will be issued by the institution.
6. All visitation stations will be sanitized after each visit.
7. Visitors are encouraged to use the restroom before arriving at the institution as restrooms will not be accessible.
8. Institutions with living areas on COVID quarantine will not be able to visit. Information about this will be shared as soon as it is known, keeping in mind that COVID testing is ongoing and circ*mstances can change quickly.
9. If visitors are unable to attend a scheduled visit, they must cancel the visit 48 hours ahead of time. Otherwise the visit will count toward the inmate’s monthly visit total.

Virtual visitation is available at all institutions for those on an inmate's visitation list, depending on COVID restrictions. Virtual visits can be done on any kind of computer, tablet or smartphone. This is now available on Apple products, including iPhones, iPads and Macintosh computers.

Virtual Visitation Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

(Be sure to note the rules in the visitation section above as well)

• If the inmate wants you to visit, he or she will send you a Form 19-127, "Request for Visiting Privileges." Only inmates are authorized to provide an application.
• FULLY complete the Form 19-27 that is provided to you by the inmate and return it by mail to the Division of Visitation and Inmate Drug Testing P. O. Box 212969, Columbia, SC 29221 (This is a new address). If you should need additional Form 19-127s in the future, you may obtain them from the inmate you wish to visit.
• If you do not provide all requested information, the form will be rejected. If the "Request for Visiting Privileges" cannot be processed because it is incomplete or because you have provided an incorrect inmate name or inmate number (the identification number assigned to the inmate by the South Carolina Department of Corrections), it will be returned to you,if the address on the form is complete.A parent, legal guardian, or other adult may assist a child in completing the form; however, only a parent or legal guardian will be permitted to sign this form.

3. Why would I be denied visiting privileges?
You may be denied visiting privileges for any of the following reasons:

• Providing false information on the "Request for Visiting Privileges."
• If you are a former inmate, you may be denied visiting if the Department considers you to be a threat to the safe and secure operation of the institution. Former inmatesmaybe approved to visitonlyif they are a member of the inmate's immediate family** except for in-laws. In any case, former inmates will not be allowed visiting privileges until at least one year after they are released from the South Carolina Department of Corrections or any other correctional facility and the respective warden approves their request.
• If you are a former South Carolina Department of Corrections employee, contract employee, or volunteer who worked within a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility, you may be denied visiting privileges if during such employment, you violated any South Carolina Department of Corrections policy/procedure pertaining to employee/inmate relations including sexual intercourse, sexual relations, dating, marrying, or otherwise establishing a personal relationship with an inmate and/or any person under the jurisdiction of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. In any case, former employees, contract employees, or volunteers who have terminated their employment with the Department within the last year prior to the date of the "Request for Visiting Privileges," will not be approved to visit. After one year, only members of an inmate's immediate family** (provided the former employee or contract employee did not become a member of the inmate's immediate family as a result of meeting and/or marrying him/her while incarcerated) will be considered.
• Anyone may be disapproved if they pose a threat to the safe and secure operation of the institution.
• Persons with prior convictions or pending criminal charges may be permitted to visit; however, the following conditions must be met: Must be a member of the inmate's immediate family**. Must not be nor previously have been a co-defendant with the inmate on any criminal charges. Must provide information listing all past convictions or outstanding charges which are still active including the jurisdiction (city/county/state) where the warrants were signed or the indictments issued. Must answer accurately and truthfully all questions on SCDC Form 19-127, "Request for Visiting Privileges."

• Inmate must have been incarcerated for at least three consecutive years.
• Inmate may NOT have ever been convicted of a sex offense or sexual misconduct disciplinary.
• Inmate must have NO major disciplinaries and/or NO more than two minor disciplinary convictions within a three-year period.
• Inmate must have been employed for a minimum of three years.
• The brother or sister, parent of the niece or nephew, must show on the inmate's relative screen and must submit a copy of the respective niece/nephew's long-form birth certificate for verification.

• Shirts and shoes are mandatory.
• Clothing that exposes an undue amount of flesh (e.g., exposing chest, back, thighs, or midsections) is prohibited.Halter tops, underwear-type tee-shirts, tank tops, fish net shirts, or any type of shirt or pants made with see-through fabric are NOT allowed to be worn by any visitor (male or female).Sleeveless shirts WILL NOT be allowed.
• Visitors may wear Bermuda-length shorts provided they are not more than three inches above the top of the kneecap.
• At institutions where the use of khaki inmate uniforms has been fully implemented, all visitors may wear blue jeans/shorts, khaki pants/shorts, or other color denim jeans/shorts.
• At institutions that continue to utilize blue-jean denim inmate uniforms (shock units), visitors will be prohibited from wearing blue jeans/shorts or blue denim pants/shorts. Denim jeans/shorts other than the color blue will be allowed.
• Women and girls may wear dresses or skirts. However,no sleeveless dresses will be allowed.If a dress or skirt is considered too shortor if there is a slit(no higher than three inches above the top of the knee), or is considered otherwise inappropriate by an officer, the officer will be required to contact the duty warden (or designee if the duty warden is not present in the institution) who will be responsible for coming to the entrance area for a decision as to whether the visitor will be allowed to visit. The decision of the duty warden/designee is final.
• Any shirt or other article of clothing with a picture or language that may be considered profane or offensive by current public and/or SCDC standards will not be allowed. In such cases, the officer will contact the duty warden (or designee if the duty warden is not present in the institution) who will be responsible for coming to the entrance area for a decision as to whether the visitor will be allowed to visit. The decision of the duty warden/designee is final.
• Clothing designed or intended to be tightly worn, to excessively accent the body, e.g., spandex, tights, leggings, tank tops, etc., is prohibited.
• Hair pieces and any hair accessories are subject to search.
• No jewelry except wedding ring, one pair of earrings, one religious medallionon a necklace or chain, one wristwatch, and a medical alert bracelet.

8. What items am I allowed to carry into the institution?
Visitors will be permitted to bring into any institution only the items listed below: (Any item not included in the following list, or any authorized item in excess of approved amounts [e.g., cash], will be considered as "unauthorized items" and will not be permitted to be brought into any institution by any visitor.)

• Loitering;
• Taking any article whatsoever from the grounds of the institution (e.g., gifts from inmates or inmates' excess personal property items) without prior authorization from the warden, duty warden, or designee; (Exceptions may be made for approved attorneys, paralegals, clergy, or prospective employers who require paperwork to be submitted to them by an inmate.)
• Walking or driving along the perimeter road;
• Photographing buildings, fences, etc.;
• Loud playing of vehicle radios while on South Carolina Department of Corrections property;
• Visitor's actions orinactions which are a security risk or health risk to others, e.g., leaving children in a vehicle, leaving keys in a vehicle, etc.; Under no circ*mstances will visitors be authorized to leave any child unattended in any vehicle on South Carolina Department of Corrections property while they are visiting.
• Under no circ*mstances will visitors be authorized to leave any pet/animal unattended in any vehicle on South Carolina Department of Corrections property while they are visiting nor bring any pet/animal into an institution unless the animal is necessary to enable a person to physically maneuver (e.g. "seeing eye" dog).
• Yelling at inmates or engaging in loud, boisterous behavior during visiting or while on South Carolina Department of Corrections property; or
• Passing any item to inmates or accepting items from inmates. (NOTE: The only items authorized to be passed will be food and beverage items purchased from vending machinesby visitors. Exceptions may be made for approved attorneys, paralegals, and prospective employers who require paperwork to be passed to an inmate.)
• Visitors will be required to keep accompanying children as orderly as possible during their visit so that other inmates and visitors will not be disturbed. In the event that a visitor is unable to control his or her child(ren), the visit will be terminated and the visitor(s) and children will be required to leave the institution.
• Any visitor found bringing any items not listed above, or excessive amounts of any authorized item, into any institution will, if the item is not considered illegal, be advised that they will not be able to visit that day.No visitor will be allowed to return to their vehicle and return to visit.Any visitor found with illegal contraband or any visitor who visited an inmate who was found with contraband will not visit again.
• Visitors will not be allowed to switch tables and/or visit with any inmate(s) other than those they are currently authorized to visit or with any other visitors. (The duty warden may approve exceptions in those cases of immediate family members incarcerated at the same institution.)(NOTE: Inmates and their visitors may go from an inside table to a table outside the visiting room [for those institutions with outdoor visiting areas]).
• Inmates authorized contact visiting will be allowed to embrace and to kiss visitors once at the beginning and once at the end of each visit. Whenever possible, depending upon the number of visitors and the shape of tables, an inmate and visitor(s) are to be seated at opposite sides of the table. Policy allows an inmate to hold a child aged 2 and under (6 and under for female inmates). Any other display of affection between inmate and visitor other than that described above will be prohibited and may result in disciplinary action for the inmate and visiting suspension for the inmate and/or visitor involved.

10. Will my visiting privileges be suspended if I break a rule?

• The warden, duty warden, or an approved designee has the authority to terminate a visit while the visit is in progress if the inmate violates any established rules and regulations or if the inmate’s visitor(s) does not comply with the rules and regulations governing inmate visitors. Prior to termination of the visit, less severe alternativesmay beattempted, if appropriate.This mayinclude verbal warnings to the inmate and/or visitor(s) of improper conduct which, if not discontinued, will result in the visit being terminated and may result in the visitor's and the inmate's visiting privileges being suspended.
• In addition, for serious violations of rules, the Department may suspend your visiting privileges for a period of two years or less, indefinitely or permanently, depending on the severity of the rules violation. During this suspension, you will not be allowed to visit any inmate in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Because of the Department's need to maintain security and order in our institutions, we highly recommend that you carefully follow our rules and regulations so that you can continue to visit your loved ones and friends.

1. Q. How do I address a letter to an inmate?

2. Q. How do I find the dorm/living unit or the mailing address for an inmate?

Use the online inmate search.When you've found the proper inmate, click on the name, and the "Inmate Search Detail Report" is displayed. Look in the right column ("INMATE SENTENCE AND LOCATION") for the SCDC ID (inmate number), LOCATION (institution name), and DORM-ROOM-BUNK (living/dorm unit). You'll findinstitution mailing addresses here.

3. Q. How many pictures may I send an inmate?

4. Q. Can I send cash, a check, or a money order to an inmate?

A. Not by mailing directly to the inmate or to SCDC, but family members and friends can make deposits into an inmate's personal spending account (Cooper Trust Fund account) by mailing a money order and deposit slip to a special address.See detailsbelow. Note that inmates can receive money faster if youuse a computer, mobile app, or telephone to make a deposit.

5. Q. How many newspaper/magazine clippings/crossword puzzle pages or info from the internet (except for info from the SCDC website) may I send?

A. Up to five pages per envelope provided that the contents do not depict questionable material.

6. Q. Can I send an inmate a Bible, Quran, magazine or a book?

A. Inmates may receive single copies of publications from a publisher or publication supplier (e.g., Amazon or a bookstore) if paid for in advance by the inmate, family member, or friend. A legitimate invoice on business stationary/company letterhead must be enclosed with the publication(s). Note: inmates who are in intake status or restricted housing (RHU) may not receive any publications including newspapers and magazines.

7. Q. I sent an inmate mail a while ago, but he/she never received it. What should I do?

A. The mailroom staff works diligently to process all incoming mail daily to approximately 26,000 inmates across the state. If the mail was questionable for any reason (gang-related, sexually explicit, drugs, guns, etc.) it may be delayed for investigation purposes. However, it could be returned to you, so please allow 2 weeks for it to be processed through the U.S. Postal Service.

• Mobile apps for both IOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android devices
• Faster delivery times than the Postal Service
• Is less expensive than buying a stamp
• Ease of use

• Valid email address
• Visa® or MasterCard® branded credit, debit, or prepaid debit card

Instructions for setting up an account on the GettingOut platformare available here. (PDF)

Credit, Debit, Green Dot cards, etc.

Inmates are prohibited from possessing credit cards, debit cards, Green Dot cards or numbers, or any other type of similar financial instrument. Inmates found in possession of such items will be charged administratively and could face significant sanctions. Family members/friends should refrain from providing inmates with these items.

Cooper Trust Fund Accounts

Five Ways to Send Money

There are several fast, easy and convenient ways to send money to an inmate in South Carolina. GTL offers deposits online, over the phone, and at retail locations.

Online
To send money online with a credit or debit card, click here.It's the quickest and easiest way to get your loved ones the funds they need. When creating your account, chooseSouth Carolina Dept. of Correctionsas the facility.

Mobile App
Download our mobile app and send money wherever you happen to be! You can download the free app for Android devices here and for iPhone and iPad here.

Call Us
You can send money by phone using your credit or debit card. Call(888)988-4768and follow the prompts. For trust (canteen) deposits, ourSite ID number is 121. To speak with a live agent 24/7, call customer service at (877)650-4249.

Mail a Money Order
Family members and friends can make deposits into an inmate's Cooper Trust Fund account through GTL. Other than the cost to obtain a money order, there areno feesto deposit it, but money orders must be mailed and the deposit slip that must be sent with them must be read electronically and processed before the funds become available. When deposit slips are incomplete or not legible, the money order will be returned to the sender. Effective March 5, 2019, all money ordersmustbe sent with a deposit slip (PDF) to:

Walk-In (cash or debit card)
Cash deposits to ConnectNetwork are now available at 26,000 retail locations nationwide including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger, and more.

• To use thiswalk-in retail – pay in cashoption:
• Step 1:Start online at ConnectNetwork.comor with our free ConnectNetwork mobile app.
• Step 2: Set up the cash payment by selecting “Walk-In Retail (Pay in Cash)”.
• Step 3: Then, to complete your transaction, bring cash and the PaySlip to your local store.

ViaPath/GTL Financial Services
10005 Technology Blvd West
Suite 130
Dallas TX 75220

Money orders sent to SCDC or an individual facility will be returned. All funds will be available to the offender within three business days of being received at the address above. All money orders must be made payable to GTL.

Themoney order deposit slip is available here. (PDF)(en Español) (PDF)

Fees

Flyer

Printable flyer (PDF)for inmates (en Español) (PDF)

Rates

Calls to anywhere in the US will be billed at a single rate of5.5 cents per minute. (effective February 1, 2019).

Phone call process

• Beginning Dec. 1, 2023, inmates will be allowed to call up to 20 telephone numbers.
• Each inmate will have a Personal Allowed Number, or PAN.
• The list is created automatically by the numbers called. Once an inmate calls 20 different telephone numbers,no new numbers will be accepted.
• The list will be revisited once a year.
• This does not affect the number of times an inmate can call each number.

Requirements

• Inmates admitted to SCDC will be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN) within one week of their admission to enable them to place calls as allowed by the institutional schedule.
• Inmates are not allowed to call toll-free numbers.
• In order to accept collect calls:
  • Your phone account must be current with your local telephone company (not past due).
  • Your local telephone company must have a Billing and Collection (PDF)agreement
    with the South Carolina Department of Corrections' inmate phone service provider.
  • You must have a non-cordless phone with touch-tone service (no rotary dial).
• Calls to cell phones must be made using a prepaid account. Inmate calls to cells phones must be prepaid by the family member (please see the FAQ and information links below). To sign up for an AdvancePay® prepaid phone account, visitConnectNetwork.com
• All calls from inmates will be subject to restrictions, recording, and monitoring.
• Called parties will have the option not to accept a call, block all future calls from an inmate, or block all future calls from the SC Department of Corrections.

Information Links

FAQs About Inmate Phones (PDF)
Establish AdvancePay® Prepaid Account with GTL using ConnectNetwork.com
Instructions for opening a ConnectNetwork account.
GTL AdvancePay® Prepay Information - English (PDF)
GTL AdvancePay® Prepay Information - Spanish (PDF)
GTL Refund Request Postcard (PDF)

Families may now request that a current SCDC inmate attend the viewing or funeral of a deceased relative or visit a sick relative in the hospital when the sick relative is near death. Inmates will ONLY be eligible to attend one service/visit – a hospital visit OR a viewing OR a funeral; interment not included. They may not make more than one visit.

Listed below are the only family members whose imminent death, viewing, or funeral qualifies for an inmate transport request and their relationship must be verified by SCDC on the inmate’s visitation list or list of relatives on file:

• The inmate’s parent or parent substitute identified on an inmate’s visitation list
• The inmate’s child
• The inmate’s brother or sister
• The inmate’s wife or husband
• The inmate’s grandparent
• The inmate’s grandchild

DO NOT CALL to request transport for an inmate until you have all of the information needed for SCDC to process the request. Once you have gathered the following information, please contact the institutional chaplain to submit your request:

• The inmate’s name and SCDC number, if you have it
• The name of the sick or deceased and that person’s relationship to the inmate
• The location and time of the hospital visit, viewing, or funeral
• Your name, phone number, and relationship to the inmate so that SCDC may contact you once the request is processed

The list of chaplains can be located here: SCDC_chaplains(PDF)

Costs for the transport must be paid by the inmate or the inmate’s family on their behalf. These costs must be paid in advance, at least 24 hours prior to the transport. Payments CANNOT be made through GTL/Viapath. Payment for an inmate’s transportation to either the hospital, viewing, or funeral service for an approved family member may be made here. Please note, this is a third party vendor, not SCDC, and any issues should be reported directly to the vendor.

Please note that this is ONLY a request. Not all inmates will be eligible for transport. The following are examples of some, but not all, situations that make an inmate ineligible for transport due to security risks:

• The inmate is currently housed in RHU, SSR, or death row
• The inmate has attempted, planned, or participated in any escape attempts
• The inmate has had any disciplinary convictions within the past year

Once the request is processed, an SCDC employee will notify you of our decision. Do not make a payment for an inmate to be transported until after you have been notified of their approval.

3rd Quarter 2024

Deliveries to facilities will be on or before

Friday, September 27, 2024

PROGRAM DATES:

• Ordering begins: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
• Ordering ends: Thursday, July 25, 2024
• Postmark date for mail orders: Thursday, July 18, 2024
• Orders must be received by: Thursday, July 25, 2024
• Delivery to facility: on or before Friday, September 27, 2024

WAYS TO ORDER:

• Online:SouthCarolinaPackages.com
• Phone: 1-800-546-6283
• Mail: Access Securepak (SC), 10880 Linpage Place St. Louis, MO 63132

INSTITUTION ADDRESSES:are listed here

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• United States Department of Health and Human Services
• Social Security Administration

• South Carolina Commission on Indigent Defense
• South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services
• South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• South Carolina Department of Mental Health
• South Carolina Department of Social Services
• Salvation Army of North & South Carolina
• 2023 SCDC Family Resources Page Information