Search Beaufort County Inmates
Beaufort County is a coastal county in the southern tip of South Carolina. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office runs the local detention center and provides law enforcement across the county. The Beaufort County inmate population includes people held at the jail while awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Hilton Head Island Public Safety also operates in the area. This page covers how to find inmates in Beaufort County, search state prison records, and use the VINE victim notification system. Whether you need local jail data or state corrections records, the resources and steps are explained below.
Beaufort County Quick Facts
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office handles patrol, investigations, and detention operations across the county. It operates the Beaufort County Detention Center, which holds the local inmate population. The jail processes bookings for pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Each booking creates a record with the person's name, charges, arrest date, and bond amount.
Beaufort County covers a large area that includes the city of Beaufort, the town of Hilton Head Island, and the town of Bluffton. The Hilton Head Island Public Safety department handles law enforcement on the island, but inmates from that area are held at the Beaufort County Detention Center. The county also uses the Beaufort County Connect mobile app, which lets residents submit requests and get updates from various county departments. The Beaufort County government website provides information on all county services.
The county website links to departments that handle public safety and inmate records in Beaufort County.
Note: The Beaufort County Connect app is for non-emergency requests only and does not handle jail inquiries.
Find Beaufort County Inmate Records
To find someone in the Beaufort County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office. Staff can check the roster for the name you provide. They will share basic booking details such as charges and bond status. For a written copy of records, submit a request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
State inmates from Beaufort County can be found through the SCDC online inmate search. This tool is free. Enter a name or inmate number to see where the person is held, their sentence, and their projected release date. The search covers all 21 state prisons. Anyone from Beaufort County sentenced to more than one year enters SCDC custody and is classified based on their offense, health, and behavior under Section 24-1-140.
The SCDPPPS offender search shows people on probation or parole. If someone from Beaufort County was released under supervision, this tool will show their status. Data is updated daily.
Beaufort County Inmates in State Corrections
When a Beaufort County court sentences someone to state prison, SCDC takes custody. The department assigns the inmate to a facility based on classification factors. These include the type of offense, sentence length, and medical or mental health needs. Beaufort County inmates could end up at any of the 21 state institutions.
Inmates earn good time credits under Section 24-13-210 of Title 24. Most earn up to 20 days per month for good behavior. "No parole" offenders earn only 3 days per month and must serve at least 85% of their sentence under Section 24-13-150 before release. Work and education credits under Section 24-13-230 can reduce time further for inmates in approved programs. SCDC runs education through the Palmetto Unified School District, which offers GED classes, adult education, and vocational training at every facility. Substance abuse treatment is also available. These programs serve Beaufort County inmates along with all others in the state system.
Under Section 24-3-20, inmates within 36 months of release may be eligible for work release. Under Section 24-13-650, violent offenders face strict limits on where they can serve work release to protect victims and the community.
Victim Notification in Beaufort County
Crime victims in Beaufort County can use the VINE system to track inmates. VINE is free. Call 1-866-727-2846 to look up an inmate or register for alerts. The system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It sends automatic notifications when an inmate's custody status changes.
The SCDC Division of Victim Services handles state inmate notifications. Call 1-800-835-0304 to register. Registered victims get alerts about releases, transfers, escapes, and work program placements for state inmates from Beaufort County. Victims can also submit impact statements. SCDC's Impact of Crime program teaches inmates about the harm they caused through a classroom curriculum with victim speakers.
Note: For parole hearing alerts, register separately with SCDPPPS at 1-888-551-4118.
Beaufort County Courts and Criminal Cases
Criminal cases in Beaufort County are processed through the local court system. Magistrate Court handles minor offenses and preliminary hearings. Circuit Court tries felony cases and imposes prison sentences. The Clerk of Court stores all case files for Beaufort County. You can search for cases through the South Carolina Judicial Branch website.
After a conviction, the judge determines the sentence. People sentenced to less than one year serve time at the Beaufort County Detention Center. Those with longer sentences transfer to SCDC. The court may also order probation through SCDPPPS. Agents in the Beaufort County area supervise released offenders and make regular home visits. Under Section 24-3-40, wages earned by inmates in work programs are subject to deductions. This includes 20% for victim restitution and 35% for child support obligations.
Beaufort County Detention Center Records
Detention records in Beaufort County are public under state law. You can request them from the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Court.
Records you can request include:
- Booking and arrest reports
- Current charges and bond amounts
- Court dates and case numbers
- Sentence details and release dates
- State prison facility assignments
For state records, send a FOIA request to SCDC at FOIA@doc.sc.gov. The SCDC family services page covers visiting inmates, sending mail, and adding money to accounts. All visits at state facilities must be scheduled at least 15 hours in advance. In-person visits happen on weekends. Virtual visits are available on weekdays at every SCDC institution.
Cities in Beaufort County
Beaufort County includes several towns and communities. Inmates from these areas are held at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
Nearby Counties
Beaufort County is on the southern coast of South Carolina. Neighboring counties may hold inmates from the Beaufort County area in certain cases.