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South Carolina State Prisons

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    Henry Dahut, J.D.

    Henry Dahut, J.D.

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    Robert Thomas

    Robert Thomas

    Prison Reform Expert

    Robert Thomas is a Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University, where his doctoral research focuses on mass incarceration, restorative justice and prison reform. His expertise includes critical legal studies and the political history of the United States prison system.

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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)

South Carolina Department of Corrections Implements Inmate Concern Line:

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://www.dppps.sc.gov/Parole-Pardon-Hearings
https://doc.sc.gov/programs
https://www.scstatehouse.gov/

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

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