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Before You Drive to Allendale: What You Can't Bring (Including Tobacco)

Allendale Correctional Facility follows South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) rules for what's allowed on property. The biggest surprise for many visitors? SCDC is tobacco-free. Bring tobacco-related items onto the grounds and you could be turned away.

• 2 min read • doc.sc.gov
Before You Drive to Allendale: What You Can't Bring (Including Tobacco)

Every SCDC facility - including Allendale - is completely tobacco-free. This goes beyond cigarettes: tobacco products, paraphernalia, and even lighters aren't allowed in SCDC buildings or anywhere on the property. Show up with any of these and you'll run into problems at the entrance screening.

Don’t bring tobacco inside: Any tobacco products or related items must be secured in your personal vehicle - inside SCDC buildings and institutions, they’re treated as contraband.

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  • ✓ Tobacco of any kind
  • ✓ Tobacco-related products
  • ✓ Tobacco paraphernalia
  • ✓ Lighting devices (anything used to light tobacco)
  • ✓ If you have any of the above with you, secure it in your personal vehicle before you enter - inside SCDC buildings and institutions, it’s considered contraband
Before You Drive to Allendale: What You Can't Bring (Including Tobacco)

Planning to buy snacks from the visitation vending machines? SCDC accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

  • ✓ Don’t bring prepaid debit cards - they aren’t accepted and may not be brought into the institution
  • ✓ Plan for one card total - only one debit/credit card is allowed per visiting group (or per employee)
  • ✓ Make sure the card matches your ID - the debit/credit card has to have the cardholder’s name pre-printed on it, and that name must match your ID

Tip: Bring a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express - not a prepaid debit card. Double-check the vending setup before you leave home.

  1. Do a quick car check for tobacco - if you have tobacco, tobacco-related products, paraphernalia, or lighting devices, secure them in your personal vehicle before you go inside.
  2. Keep your payment plan simple - bring only one debit/credit card for your visiting group, and don’t bring a prepaid debit card.
  3. Match your card to your ID - if you’re bringing a card, it must have your name pre-printed on it, and it has to match your ID.
  4. Bring an accepted card brand - for vending/payments, SCDC accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

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