How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is South Carolina Inmate Search?
A South Carolina inmate search is a process that allows individuals to look up information about incarcerated individuals within the state's correctional facilities. This can include details such as an inmate's location, sentencing information, release dates, and charges.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) keeps inmate records and makes them publicly accessible to ensure transparency and accountability. Similarly, the local sheriffs in each county maintain jail rosters containing details of individuals housed in county jails. To find incarcerated persons in South Carolina, interested persons can use the SCDC Inmate Search tool or contact the county sheriffs.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in South Carolina?
Yes. Per the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, interested individuals can access inmate search records maintained by the SCDC or local sheriffs. Online formats of South Carolina jail records are available through the Inmate Search portal, while paper copies are obtainable upon request from the respective agency. Records of incarcerated juveniles and inmates' mental health information are confidential. Other restricted jail records include records of confidential informants and information that could compromise safety within correctional facilities.
How To Perform South Carolina Inmate Lookup
Conducting a South Carolina inmate lookup requires basic details like the inmate's name, State Identification number (SID), or SCDC ID number. Requesters may refine their search by including details such as projected release dates, charges, or work credits. Once the search criteria are submitted, the system shows a list of inmates corresponding to the entered details. Users can click on an inmate record to access full details such as location, sentence length, offense details, and release status.
How To Search for an Inmate in South Carolina
To conduct a South Carolina inmate search, follow the steps below:
- Open the SCDC Inmate Search tool and select "Search for Incarcerated Inmate".
- Enter the inmate's name, SCDC ID, or SID in the appropriate fields.
- If unsure of the inmate's first name, enable the Phonetic Match button to include names that sound similar.
- Submit the entered details and choose an inmate of interest from the search results.
- A PDF report containing the inmate's search details will open in a new browser window.
Other ways to find or get copies of South Carolina jail records include the following:
- Call the SCDC's toll-free inmate information line at (866) 727-2846.
- Visit the state correctional facility where inmates are housed to obtain their jail records.
- Use the South Carolina Sheriff Directory to find and contact the local sheriffs for access to inmates in local county jails or detention centers.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in South Carolina
Anyone interested in conducting a South Carolina inmate search free of charge can do so online using reliable third-party services like RecordsFinder. These user-friendly platforms are typically free for basic searches; however, advanced features are available for a small fee. Thanks to their easy navigation, users can quickly find incarcerated individuals in state, local, and federal prisons across South Carolina.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in South Carolina
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offers inmate information through its Inmate Locator. Requesters can use the online database to find incarcerated persons held in the following federal prisons in South Carolina:
- Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville
- Federal Correctional Institution, Edgefield
- Federal Correctional Institution, Estill
- Federal Correctional Institution, Williamsburg
BOP's Inmate Locator allows users to conduct federal inmate searches in South Carolina by entering the inmate's full name or BOP registration number. Users may include additional details such as the inmate's race, age, or sex to narrow their search and get accurate results. They can also use registration numbers assigned by the DCDC (District of Columbia Department of Corrections), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations), or INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services).
What Can You Find with State of South Carolina Inmate Search
You may find the following information on the South Carolina inmate search portal:
- Inmate's name
- Mugshot or Image
- Inmate Description: This includes the inmate's sex, race, height, weight, age, citizenship, build, complexion, hair color, eye color, and picture date
- Inmate Sentence and Location: This includes the inmate's SCDC ID, SID (State Identification number assigned by South Carolina law enforcement), offender type, admission date, location, projected release date, and projected parole eligibility
Jail and Inmate Search in South Carolina
According to the SCDC Report, South Carolina's prison population has remained at around 16,000 inmates since 2021 to date. In 2022, the county jails had about 11,900 inmates in custody, while 525 youths were housed in detention centers across the state. The SC Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services also supervised 26,000 probationers and about 3,500 inmates eligible for parole in 2022.
South Carolina has an incarceration rate of 302 per 100,000 persons. Its prison population consists of 37% White inmates, 59% Black inmates, and 3% Hispanic inmates, with the remaining 1% made up of Native Americans, Asians, and other groups.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
South Carolina Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
302
Probation Population
26,000
Parole Population
3,500
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 3.8:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 0.7:1
Juvenile Custody Rate (per 100,000 juveniles)
78
Disenfranchised Population
37,838 (0.97%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
19,427 (1.93%)
Corrections Expenditures (state/local)
$647 M / $296 M
South Carolina Parole Population
The South Carolina parole population dropped from 3,980 on January 1, 2022, to 3,510 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
South Carolina
84
Parole Total Population in South Carolina (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
South Carolina
3,510
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Entries
1,910
Exits
2,380
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
11.8%
Number
470
Number of Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
267
South Carolina Prisons
South Carolina is home to 21 state correctional institutions, managed by the Department of Corrections, which house over 16,000 inmates. In addition, the state operates 45 county jails, which collectively hold approximately 11,900 inmates. The SCDC has a workforce of about 4,500 employees with an annual budget of approximately $647 million.
In South Carolina, 26,000 individuals are on probation, while about 3,500 inmates are eligible for parole. Housing and feeding an inmate in South Carolina costs more than $36,553 annually and $99.87 daily. Based on 100,000 residents, South Carolina's incarceration rate is 302, while its violent and property crime rates are 491 and 2,308.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Allendale Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Bennettsville FCI | Federal Prison |
| Broad River Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Catawba Pre-Release Center | State Prison |
| Edgefield FCI | Federal Prison |
| Estill FCI | Federal Prison |
| Evans Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville | State Prison |
| Goodman Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Kershaw Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Kirkland Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center | State Prison |
| Leath Correctional Institution | State Prison |
| Lee Correctional Institution | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about South Carolina inmate searches and their corresponding answers.
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate's information may not appear in a South Carolina inmate search if the records have been sealed or expunged by court orders. Additionally, incorrect search details, such as misspelled names or wrong SCDC/SID numbers, could prevent the information from showing up. As such, users should double-check the accuracy of the search criteria and consider using alternative identifiers, such as date of birth or the inmate's race, to refine the search.
Another reason an inmate's information may not appear in a search in South Carolina is if the database has not been updated to reflect recent transfers between facilities or releases. Some inmates may have been moved to federal or out-of-state facilities, so they will not appear in the South Carolina inmate search tool.
Also, details of juveniles housed in detention centers are not publicly accessible due to state and federal laws and, therefore, will not be found in the search results. Requesters may contact the SCDC or call (803) 896-8500 to resolve any issues on the search portal or make other related inquiries.
How Can I Check If Someone Is in Jail in South Carolina?
You can check if someone is in jail in South Carolina by following these steps:
- Open the SCDC Locator and search using the inmate's name, SCDC ID, or SID number
- Call the SCDC at (866) 727-2846 to make a phone request
- Visit the administrative officers in any of the state's correctional facility
- Contact the local sheriff to request records of individuals confined in county jails
- If the inmate is in federal prisons in South Carolina, search the BOP inmate locator
How Can I Conduct a South Carolina Prison Inmate Search?
You can use the South Carolina Inmate Search database to access inmate records of individuals in state prisons. Alternatively, make phone or in-person requests for jail records by contacting relevant agencies such as the South Carolina Department of Corrections or the county sheriffs. You can also conduct South Carolina inmate searches on reliable third-party inmate record search services like RecordsFinder.
