South Carolina Inmate Population Records
The South Carolina Department of Corrections manages the state's inmate population across 21 facilities. You can search for current inmates through the SCDC website at doc.sc.gov. The search tool returns names, photos, and public case data for people held in state prison. County detention centers hold pre-trial inmates and those serving short sentences in all 46 counties. The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services also tracks offenders living in the community under supervision. This guide covers how to find inmate population data at every level in South Carolina.
South Carolina Inmate Population Quick Facts
South Carolina Inmate Population Database
The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs a public inmate search on its website. You can look up any person held in a state prison. The tool is free to use. It works around the clock. Type in a name to start your search. The system returns photos and basic case data for each match found in the South Carolina inmate population. Visit doc.sc.gov to access the SCDC search tool and find inmate records.
SCDC houses about 26,000 inmates across South Carolina. The inmate population includes men and women at different custody levels. Close custody holds the most dangerous offenders. Medium custody is the most common level. Minimum custody inmates may be eligible for work release near the end of their sentence. The SCDPPPS Offender Search portal lets you look up people on probation or parole. Data in that system reflects the prior day rather than real-time status.
SCDC also publishes a Released Inmate List showing people discharged from state custody. You can view this list on the website. For records not available online, submit a Freedom of Information Act request to FOIA@doc.sc.gov. FOIA covers public records held by the department about the South Carolina inmate population. Medical concerns about inmates can be reported to MedicalConcerns@doc.sc.gov or by calling (803) 896-8547.
Search South Carolina Inmate Population
Searching the inmate population in South Carolina starts with the SCDC website. Go to the inmate search page. Type the person's last name. You can add a first name to narrow results. The tool returns a list of matches with names, photos, and SCDC numbers. Click a name to see more details about that inmate. Results include the full legal name, date of birth, race, and sex. You also see the county where they were sentenced and the projected release date. Good behavior credits and work credits affect the release calculation for each inmate in South Carolina.
SCDC operates 21 institutions across South Carolina. Each holds inmates at set custody levels. When you find an inmate, the results show which facility they are in. For questions about a specific person in the South Carolina inmate population, call the SCDC Ombudsman at (803) 896-9409 or email Ombudsman@doc.sc.gov.
To search the South Carolina inmate population, you need:
- The inmate's full name or partial last name
- Their SCDC number if you have it
- No account or login is required to search
Inmate Population at South Carolina Facilities
South Carolina runs 21 state prisons. They range from close to minimum custody. Each serves a distinct role. Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia holds the Maximum Security Unit and death row for male inmates. Kirkland CI is the male intake center that processes about 8,000 new inmates each year. Camille Graham CI in Columbia houses female inmates with special needs, including those who are pregnant. Under Title 24, Chapter 3 of the South Carolina Code, the prison system governs work release, training programs, and restitution for the inmate population.
Manning CI in Columbia serves as the centralized pre-release center for male inmates within 180 days of release. Livesay CI in Spartanburg runs a work release program. Leath CI in Greenwood houses medium custody female inmates with vocational programs including welding, office skills, and CDL training. Evans CI in Bennettsville partners with Northeastern Technical College for associate degrees. These facilities show the range of services available to the South Carolina inmate population.
The SCDC Policy Listing covers rules for all state prisons in South Carolina. Policies address inmate classification, discipline, visitation, and health care. The classification system assigns a custody level to each inmate based on their offense, behavior, and time served.
Note: SCDC policy documents are public records available through the agency website at doc.sc.gov.
South Carolina Inmate Population and Corrections
Title 24 of the South Carolina Code of Laws covers corrections, jails, probation, parole, and pardons. It sets the rules for the entire inmate population in the state. Chapter 1 establishes SCDC as an agency. Section 24-1-20 declares state policy for a modern prison system with humane treatment and chances for reform. Section 24-1-140 gives the SCDC director the power to classify prisoners by sex, age, health, and offense type within the South Carolina inmate population.
Good behavior credits affect how long inmates stay in South Carolina prisons. Under Section 24-13-210, regular inmates earn up to 20 days per month for good conduct. Inmates with "no parole" offenses earn only 3 days per month. Section 24-13-150 requires "no parole" inmates to serve at least 85 percent of their actual sentence before any early release. Work and education credits under Section 24-13-230 allow up to 180 days per year off a regular sentence. These laws shape the size of the South Carolina inmate population at any given time.
Female inmates in South Carolina have specific protections under the law. Section 24-13-35 bans leg, waist, and ankle restraints for pregnant inmates. No restraints are allowed during labor and delivery. Free menstrual hygiene products must be provided to those who cannot afford them. Pregnant inmates cannot be placed in restrictive housing in any South Carolina facility.
Escape from a South Carolina prison is a felony under Section 24-13-410, carrying one to 15 years added consecutively. Section 24-3-40 sets wage deductions for working inmates in the inmate population: 20 percent goes to victim restitution, 35 percent to child support, 10 percent to incidentals, and 10 percent to an escrow account. Section 24-1-270 makes trespass on SCDC property a felony. Drones are banned within 500 feet of any correctional facility under Section 24-1-300.
South Carolina Probation and Parole
The Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services oversees more than 20,000 offenders living in South Carolina communities. These are people released from the inmate population into supervised status. SCDPPPS uses risk assessments to set supervision levels. Standard is for low risk offenders. Medium means more frequent contact with an agent. High risk gets the most oversight, including intensive supervision. The agency reduced the time between intake and active supervision plans from 90 to 45 days for high risk offenders in South Carolina.
Agents conducted over 86,000 home visits last year. All carry body cameras funded by $82,937 from the General Assembly. SCDPPPS achieved dual accreditation from SCLEA and CALEA. K-9 Chip, an electronics detection dog, has helped with 243 searches of sex offender homes, finding 734 devices and leading to 28 new criminal charges. The South Carolina General Assembly sets the laws that govern probation and parole across the state.
SCDPPPS has warned that scammers target families of inmates in South Carolina. Con artists pose as agency staff and demand payment through Venmo, Zelle, or gift cards for early release promises. The agency does not ask for money through electronic transfers for any member of the inmate population.
Note: Victims must call 1-888-551-4118 to register for parole hearing notices, which is separate from SCDC victim notification in South Carolina.
South Carolina Inmate Victim Services
Crime victims in South Carolina can track inmates through the VINE system. Call 1-866-727-2846 anytime. The line works 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. You can search by name, offender number, or SID number. SCDC's Division of Victim Services also takes registrations at 1-800-835-0304. Registered victims get automatic calls when an inmate in the South Carolina inmate population transfers, gets released, or escapes. Victim addresses and phone numbers are protected under state law.
Registered victims receive alerts for these events related to the inmate population:
- Work program or community labor crew placement
- Transfers between state facilities
- Early release to supervised furlough
- Completion of prison sentence
- Escape and recapture
- Death of an inmate
The Office of Inspector General investigates crimes inside SCDC facilities. Its agents are certified law enforcement officers with full police powers. The office handles drug enforcement, gang intelligence, and contraband control for the South Carolina inmate population. Tips about inmates using cell phones or social media can be submitted through the OIG website. The Special Victims Unit handles sensitive cases involving the most vulnerable people within the corrections system.
South Carolina Inmate Family Resources
Families of South Carolina inmates can schedule visits, send mail, and transfer money. The SCDC Family Services page explains each process. All visits must be booked at least 15 hours ahead through the GTL scheduling system. In-person visits take place on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in two-hour blocks. Each inmate gets four visits per month, one per weekend. Virtual visits run Monday through Friday at all facilities for the inmate population.
All mail to inmates is opened and inspected by postal staff. Legal mail is opened with the inmate present. Books must come from approved vendors like Amazon or Barnes and Noble in paperback form only. ViaPath handles all money transfers to the South Carolina inmate population. Five methods are available: online, mobile app, phone at 888-428-1845, money order by mail, or walk-in at over 26,000 retail locations across the country.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch handles sentencing, appeals, and post-conviction matters that affect the inmate population. Courts in all 46 counties process criminal cases from arraignment through final sentencing. County-specific court contact details are available on the judicial branch website for anyone looking into an inmate's case.
Note: Only approved visitors may send money to inmates in South Carolina as of November 2025.
Law Enforcement and Inmate Records
SLED is South Carolina's primary statewide law enforcement agency. It keeps the state's central criminal history records. SLED runs the Sex Offender Registry. The agency operates crime labs for DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and toxicology analysis. SLED also collects crime data from law enforcement agencies statewide through its Uniform Crime Reporting program. These records connect to the inmate population because SLED cases often result in state prison sentences across South Carolina.
County sheriff's offices and city police departments also play a role in tracking the local inmate population. Sheriffs run detention centers that hold pre-trial detainees and inmates serving short sentences. City police make arrests that feed into the county jail system. Both levels of law enforcement contribute to the overall inmate population data tracked across South Carolina.
Note: Criminal background records through SLED are separate from the SCDC inmate population search system in South Carolina.
Browse South Carolina Inmate Population by County
Each county in South Carolina runs a detention center that holds local inmates. County sheriff's offices manage these jails. Pick a county below to find inmate population resources for that area.
Inmate Population in South Carolina Cities
City residents are held in the county detention center that serves their area. Pick a city below to learn about inmate population resources near you in South Carolina.