The following is a summary of the South Carolina State Prison System:
Overview
The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) is responsible for operating and managing the state’s prison system. As of 2021, the SCDC had jurisdiction over 16,946 inmates housed in 21 correctional institutions across the state.
Incarceration Rate:
As of 2021, South Carolina had an incarceration rate of 331 per 100,000 residents, which was slightly higher than the national average of 303 per 100,000.
Challenges The South Carolina Prison Faces
- Overcrowding: Like many state prison systems, South Carolina struggles with overcrowding. As of 2021, the SCDC’s facilities were operating at around 85% of their total capacity. Overcrowding can lead to increased violence, reduced access to programs and services, and a strain on resources.
- High Recidivism Rates: South Carolina has a relatively high recidivism rate, with around 21.9% of inmates returning to prison within three years of release. This suggests that the system may not be effectively preparing inmates for successful reentry into society.
- Limited Funding: The SCDC faces budget constraints that can limit its ability to provide comprehensive programming and services to inmates. In recent years, the department has had to make cuts to various areas, including education and vocational training.
- Aging Facilities: Many of South Carolina’s correctional institutions are aging and in need of repairs or upgrades. Deferred maintenance can lead to safety and security issues, as well as reduced living conditions for inmates.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse: A significant portion of South Carolina’s prison population suffers from mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. Providing adequate treatment and support for these individuals can be challenging, particularly given limited resources.
- Staffing Challenges: The SCDC has faced difficulties in recruiting and retaining correctional officers, which can lead to safety and security concerns. Low pay, high stress, and dangerous working conditions contribute to high turnover rates.
Locating a Prisoner
Family and friends can locate an inmate in the South Carolina prison system by using the SCDC’s online inmate search tool or by contacting the Inmate Records Office.
Visitation Rules
Visitation rules vary by institution, but generally, inmates are allowed to receive visitors on designated days and times. Visitors must be approved in advance and must adhere to strict rules regarding dress code, behavior, and items allowed during visits.
Prison Security Levels
The SCDC classifies its institutions into four security levels: Minimum, Medium, Maximum, and Super Maximum (SMU). Inmates are assigned to a security level based on their offense, criminal history, and institutional behavior.
Parole
The South Carolina Board of Paroles and Pardons is responsible for granting or denying parole to eligible inmates. Factors considered in parole decisions include the inmate’s criminal history, institutional behavior, rehabilitation efforts, and risk to public safety.
Educational and Vocational Programs
The SCDC offers various educational and vocational programs to inmates, including adult basic education, GED preparation, vocational training in areas such as welding, carpentry, and automotive repair, and post-secondary education through partnerships with local colleges and universities.
Rehabilitative Programs
The SCDC provides several rehabilitative programs aimed at reducing recidivism and helping inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon release. These programs include substance abuse treatment, mental health services, faith-based programs, and reentry preparation.
Pros and Cons of SCDC
Some pros of the South Carolina state prison system include its efforts to provide educational and vocational opportunities for inmates, its focus on rehabilitation and reentry preparation, and its use of technology to improve safety and efficiency.
However, the system also faces challenges such as overcrowding, high recidivism rates, and limited funding for programs and services.
South Carolina Prison News (News-19 WLTX)
Web Sources and References:
https://doc.sc.gov/about
https://www.sentencingproject.org/the-facts/#map
https://public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/
https://doc.sc.gov/family-and-friends/visitation
https://doc.sc.gov/institutions/institutions-prison-security-levels
https://www.dppps.sc.gov/Parole-Pardon-Hearings
https://doc.sc.gov/programs/education
https://doc.sc.gov/programs
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/CommitteeInfo/HouseLegislativeOversightCommittee/AgencyWebpages/Corrections/Reports%20&%20Audits/Accountability%20Report%20Summary%2C%202017-18.pdf
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PRISONS
Allendale Correctional Institution
Allendale Correctional Institution
1057 Revolutionary Trail
Fairfax, SC 29827
Telephone:
(803)-632-2561
(803)-734-0653
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Allendale Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1151
Fairfax, SC 29827
Broad River Correctional Institution
Broad River Correctional Institution
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Telephone: (803)-896-2234
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Broad River Correctional Institution
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Catawba Pre-Release Center
Catawba Pre-Release Center
1030 Milling Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Telephone:
(803)-324-5361
(803)-734-9946
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Catawba Pre-Release Center
1030 Milling Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Evans Correctional Institution
Evans Correctional Institution
610 Highway 9 West
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Telephone:
(843)-479-4181
(803)-896-4900
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Evans Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 2951202
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Goodman Correctional Institution
Goodman Correctional Institution
4556 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Telephone: (803)-896-8565
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Goodman Correctional Institution
4556 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution
Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution
4450 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210-4096
Telephone: (803)-896-8590
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Graham (Camille Griffin) Correctional Institution
4450 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210-4096
Kershaw Correctional Institution
Kershaw Correctional Institution
4848 Gold Mine Highway
Kershaw, SC 29067
Telephone:
(803)-896-3301
(803)-475-5770
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Kershaw Correctional Institution
4848 Gold Mine Highway
Kershaw, SC 29067
Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center
Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Telephone:
(803)-896-1521
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Leath Correctional Institution
Leath Correctional Institution
2809 Airport Road
Greenwood, SC 29649
Telephone:
(864)-229-5709
(803)-896-1000
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Leath Correctional Institution
2809 Airport Road
Greenwood, SC 29649
Lee Correctional Institution
Lee Correctional Institution
990 Wisacky Highway
Bishopville, SC 29010
Telephone:
(803)-896-2400
(803)-428-2800
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Lee Correctional Institution
990 Wisacky Highway
Bishopville, SC 29010
Lieber Correctional Institution
Lieber Correctional Institution
136 Wilborn Avenue
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Telephone:
(843)-875-3332
(803)-896-3700
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Lieber Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 205
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Livesay Correctional Institution
Livesay Correctional Institution
104 Broadcast Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29303-4711
Telephone:
(864)-594-4915
(803)-734-1375
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Livesay Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 580
Una, SC 29378
Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center
Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center
361 Wire Road
Aiken, SC 29801
Telephone: (803)-648-8865
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Lower Savannah Pre-Release Center
361 Wire Road
Aiken, SC 29801
MacDougall Correctional Institution
MacDougall Correctional Institution
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Telephone:
(803)-737-3036
(843)-875-0880
(843)-688-5251
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
MacDougall Correctional Institution
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Manning Correctional Institution
Manning Correctional Institution
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203-3173
Telephone: (803)-935-6000
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Manning Correctional Institution
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203-3173
McCormick Correctional Institution
McCormick Correctional Institution
386 Redemption Way
McCormick, SC 29899
Telephone:
(864)-443-2114
(803)-734-0330
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
McCormick Correctional Institution
386 Redemption Way
McCormick, SC 29899
Palmer Pre-Release Center
Palmer Pre-Release Center
2012 Pisgah Road
Florence, SC 29501
Telephone:
(843)-661-4770
(803)-734-9487
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Palmer Pre-Release Center
2012 Pisgah Road
Florence, SC 29501
Perry Correctional Institution
Perry Correctional Institution
430 Oaklawn Road
Pelzer, SC 29669
Telephone:
(864)-243-4700
(803)-737-1752
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Perry Correctional Institution
430 Oaklawn Road
Pelzer, SC 29669
Ridgeland Correctional Institution
Ridgeland Correctional Institution
5 Correctional Road
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Telephone:
(843)-726-6888
(803)-896-3200
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Ridgeland Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 2039
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Trenton Correctional Institution
Trenton Correctional Institution
84 Greenhouse Road
Trenton, SC 29847
Telephone:
(803)-896-3000
(803)-275-3301
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Trenton Correctional Institution
84 Greenhouse Road
Trenton, SC 29847
Turbeville Correctional Institution
Turbeville Correctional Institution
Highway 378
Turbeville, SC 29162
Telephone:
(843)-659-4800
(803)-896-3100
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Turbeville Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 252
Turbeville, SC 29162
Tyger River Correctional Institution
Tyger River Correctional Institution
200 Prison Road
Enoree, SC 29335-9308
Telephone:
(803)-896-3501
(803)-896-3601
(864)-583-6056
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Tyger River Correctional Institution
200 Prison Road
Enoree, SC 29335-9308
Walden Correctional Institution
Walden Correctional Institution
4340 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Telephone:
Walden (803)-896-8580
Stevenson (803)-896-8575
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Walden Correctional Institution
4340 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Wateree River Correctional Institution
Wateree River Correctional Institution
Highway 261
Rembert, SC 29128
Telephone:
(803)-432-6191
(803)-896-3400
Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Wateree River Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 189
Rembert, SC 29128-0189
