Berkeley County Inmate Population
Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office operates the local detention center and handles law enforcement across the county. The Berkeley County inmate population includes pre-trial detainees, sentenced inmates, and those awaiting transfer to state facilities. The county seat is Moncks Corner, and several municipal departments also serve the area, including the Goose Creek Department of Public Safety. This page explains how to search for inmates, access jail records, and find state corrections data for Berkeley County.
Berkeley County Quick Facts
Berkeley County Sheriff and Detention
The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. It runs the Berkeley County Detention Center, which houses the local inmate population. The jail holds people arrested in the county who are waiting for trial. It also holds those sentenced to serve up to one year. Each booking creates a record with the inmate's name, charges, arrest date, and bond amount.
Berkeley County is part of the greater Charleston metro area and has seen rapid growth in recent years. The Moncks Corner Police Department and the Goose Creek Department of Public Safety also operate in the county. Inmates arrested by these agencies are typically booked into the Berkeley County Detention Center. The detention center follows all standards set under Title 24 of the South Carolina Code, including jail inspection rules in Chapter 9.
The Berkeley County government website provides information on county departments and public services.
This site links to county offices, including the Sheriff's Office and courts in Berkeley County.
Search Berkeley County Jail Records
To find someone in the Berkeley County jail, call the Sheriff's Office. Give staff the full name of the person you want to locate. They can check the jail roster and tell you if that person is in custody. They will also share basic booking information such as the charges and bond status.
For state inmates from Berkeley County, use the SCDC online inmate search. This free tool covers all 21 state prisons in South Carolina. Enter a name or inmate number to see where the person is held, their sentence length, and their projected release date. Berkeley County has a large population, so a significant number of people from the area end up in state custody each year.
The SCDPPPS offender search tracks people on probation or parole. If someone from Berkeley County was released from prison under supervision, you can find their status in this database. The data is updated daily.
Note: For the most current local jail data, always contact the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office directly.
Berkeley County Inmates in State Prison
People from Berkeley County who are convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to more than one year go to SCDC. The department classifies each inmate under Section 24-1-140. Classification considers the offense, sentence length, health needs, and behavior. An inmate from Berkeley County could be placed at any of the 21 state facilities across South Carolina.
State inmates earn good behavior credits under Section 24-13-210. Most earn up to 20 days per month. Those convicted of "no parole" offenses under Section 24-13-100 earn only 3 days per month. Under Section 24-13-150, "no parole" inmates must serve at least 85% of their sentence. Work and education credits under Section 24-13-230 allow further reductions for eligible inmates. SCDC provides education through the Palmetto Unified School District, which offers GED prep, adult education, and vocational training. Substance abuse treatment and mental health services are available at most facilities.
Families of Berkeley County inmates can use the SCDC website to track their loved one's location, sentence, and projected release date.
Victim Services for Berkeley County
The VINE notification system is available to crime victims in Berkeley County. VINE is free and runs 24 hours a day. Call 1-866-727-2846 to search for an inmate or register for alerts. You will get automatic calls or emails when an inmate's custody status changes. This covers releases, transfers, and escapes.
The SCDC Division of Victim Services manages state inmate notifications. Call 1-800-835-0304 to register for alerts on state inmates from Berkeley County. Registered victims receive notifications about work release placements, facility transfers, and release dates. Victims can file impact statements that become part of the offender's permanent record. SCDC also runs the Impact of Crime program at its facilities, where inmates learn about the harm their actions caused.
Berkeley County Criminal Court System
Berkeley County has a full court system for criminal cases. The Magistrate Court handles misdemeanors, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings. The Circuit Court tries felony cases and imposes prison sentences. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files. You can search for court records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch website.
After sentencing, the inmate goes to the Berkeley County Detention Center for short terms or to SCDC for longer sentences. Courts may also order probation managed by SCDPPPS. Under Section 24-13-650, violent offenders face restrictions on work release placement. This protects victims and the community in Berkeley County. Under Section 24-3-40, wages earned by inmates in work programs are subject to deductions for victim restitution, child support, and incidental costs.
Note: All court records in Berkeley County are public and can be obtained from the Clerk of Court.
Accessing Berkeley County Inmate Data
Inmate records in Berkeley County are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. You can request them from the Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Court.
Available records include:
- Booking and arrest reports
- Charges and bond information
- Court hearing dates
- Sentence details for convicted inmates
- State facility assignments
For state-level records, email FOIA@doc.sc.gov. The SCDC family services page has details on visiting state inmates, sending mail, and putting money on accounts. All visits must be booked at least 15 hours ahead through the GTL system. In-person visits happen on weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual visits are available on weekdays at all SCDC facilities.
Cities in Berkeley County
Berkeley County includes Goose Creek and Summerville, along with other towns. Inmates from these cities are held at the Berkeley County Detention Center.
Nearby Counties
Berkeley County borders several other counties in the Lowcountry region. Inmates may be booked in a neighboring county depending on where the arrest took place.