Search Charleston County Inmate Population
Charleston County inmate population records are available through the sheriff's office and state databases. Charleston County is the third most populous county in South Carolina with over 365,000 residents across 916 square miles. The county has one of the largest detention centers in the state. You can search for people held in the Charleston County jail or look up state inmates who were sentenced here. This page walks you through each way to access inmate records in Charleston County, from the local detention center to the SCDC system and VINE alerts.
Charleston County Sheriff's Office
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office is one of the largest full-service law enforcement agencies in South Carolina. Sheriff Carl Ritchie was elected in November 2024. The office holds three major accreditations. These are from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the American Corrections Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Few agencies in the state hold all three at once.
The sheriff has jurisdiction throughout Charleston County. This covers 916 square miles, 90 miles of coastline, and 192 miles of creeks and rivers. Deputies patrol the unincorporated areas and respond to calls there. In cities like Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and North Charleston, local police handle most calls. The sheriff does not respond to routine calls inside those city limits unless asked. Citizens can comment on the agency's accreditation standards through CALEA.org.
The office has several divisions that affect the inmate population. The Warrants Division executes arrest warrants across the county. The Investigations Division handles criminal cases. The Civil Process Division serves legal papers. Each of these feeds into the county's inmate population when an arrest is made.
The screenshot below shows the Charleston County Sheriff's Office website where you can find details about the detention center and law enforcement services.
Charleston County has existed since 1682 as one of the three original counties in South Carolina. Its long history ties directly to the state's court and jail systems.
Charleston County Detention Center
The Detention Division of the sheriff's office runs the Charleston County jail. This facility holds pre-trial detainees and those serving short sentences. It handles various inmate classifications and security levels. The detention center is accredited by the American Corrections Association, which means it meets national standards for jail operations, safety, and health care.
To find someone in the Charleston County Detention Center, you can contact the sheriff's office directly. You will need the full name of the person. A date of birth will help narrow results. The jail books people in and releases them around the clock. Inmate counts shift from day to day. South Carolina Code Section 24-13-10 requires that men and women be kept in separate areas. The detention center follows this rule and all state standards for local jails under Title 24, Chapter 5.
Note: Charleston County publishes monthly reports and news releases on its law enforcement and detention activities.
State Inmate Records for Charleston County
People convicted of felonies in Charleston County often serve time in state prison. The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs 21 facilities that house about 26,000 inmates. The SCDC inmate search tool lets you look up anyone in the state system. You can search by name or inmate number. Results show a photo, current facility, sentence length, and projected release date.
Release dates depend on the type of sentence. Under Section 24-13-210, most inmates earn 20 days of good behavior credit per month. Those with "no parole" offenses earn just 3 days per month. Work and education credits under Section 24-13-230 can add up to 180 days per year for regular inmates or 72 days per year for "no parole" inmates. These credits reduce the time a Charleston County inmate spends behind bars.
You can also view a list of recently released inmates on the SCDC site. This can help confirm whether someone from Charleston County has been let out. SCDC also accepts Freedom of Information Act requests by email at FOIA@doc.sc.gov for records not shown in the public search.
Visit the Charleston County government website for links to local offices and services tied to the court and jail systems.
The county government site provides contact information for the clerk of court, magistrate courts, and other offices that handle criminal matters in Charleston County.
Charleston County VINE Alerts
Crime victims in Charleston County can use VINE to track inmates. VINE is a free automated system that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-866-727-2846 to search for an inmate by name or number. The service works in English and Spanish. You can also register to get alerts when an inmate's status changes.
The SCDC Division of Victim Services provides more support. Registered victims get alerts for things like facility transfers, work program placement, early release, escape, and death of an inmate. You can sign up by calling 1-800-835-0304. Victim Impact Statements can be filed and become part of the offender's permanent record. The division also runs an Impact of Crime program where inmates hear directly from crime victims.
Probation and Parole in Charleston County
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services watches over people living in the community after conviction. The SCDPPPS search portal shows anyone under active supervision. Data reflects the prior day. For current details, call the Charleston County office.
SCDPPPS agents conducted over 86,000 home visits statewide last year. Each agent wears a body camera. The agency uses risk-based supervision levels. Low-risk offenders check in less often. High-risk cases face strict rules and more visits. A special canine named K-9 Chip helps agents search for hidden phones and electronics during sex offender home checks. Since starting work, Chip has found 734 devices, leading to 141 violations and 28 new criminal charges.
SCDPPPS warns that scammers contact families of inmates and demand money through payment apps. They promise early release. This is a fraud. The agency never asks for payment this way.
Note: Parole hearing notification requires a separate call to SCDPPPS at 1-888-551-4118, as it is not part of the SCDC victim notification system.
Charleston County Criminal Courts
Charleston County has a full court system that includes circuit, magistrate, and family courts. Felony cases go through circuit court. Misdemeanor and minor charges start in magistrate court. Juvenile cases are handled in family court. You can search court records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch public index by party name or case number.
Under Section 24-13-100, crimes classified as Class A, B, or C felonies with sentences of 20 or more years are "no parole" offenses. People convicted of these crimes in Charleston County must serve at least 85 percent of their actual sentence before early release under Section 24-13-150. Work release eligibility starts at 80 percent under Section 24-13-125. Escape from any facility carries an added 1 to 15 years under Section 24-13-410.
- Circuit court handles all felony trials
- Magistrate court handles misdemeanors and preliminary hearings
- Family court handles juvenile delinquency cases
- Probate court manages certain civil proceedings
- Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations
Cities in Charleston County
Charleston County includes several cities and towns. Each has its own police force, but all county jail operations run through the sheriff's office.
Charleston and North Charleston are the largest cities in the county. People arrested by city police in these areas are typically booked into the Charleston County Detention Center.
Nearby Counties
Charleston County borders several other South Carolina counties. If you cannot find an inmate in the Charleston County system, try searching these neighboring counties.