Your First Visit to Evans Correctional Institution: Step-by-Step from Arrival to Departure
Your first visit to Evans Correctional Institution goes smoother when you handle the paperwork and scheduling ahead of time. Show up with the right ID, know what to expect from security screening, and be ready for the restroom limits and card-only vending machines.
Before you try to schedule anything, confirm that you're eligible to visit. Each inmate can have up to 15 approved visitors on their list, so spots aren't guaranteed. The process starts on the inmate's end: they receive SCDC Form 19-127 (Request for Visiting Privileges) and send it to the people they want to visit. That form is how you get considered for approval.
- Confirm you are on the approved visitation list - the scheduler is only for approved visitors.
- Register on the SCDC/GTL scheduling website - you will need an account before you can pick a visit time.
- Schedule a weekend two-hour block - in-person visits are scheduled in two-hour blocks between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and all visits for Evans must be scheduled through the GTL scheduler.
Everyone age 10 and older needs a government-issued photo ID to get in. Staff check IDs at arrival, so don't count on a school ID or anything unofficial being accepted.
For children age nine and younger, you'll need a long-form birth certificate. Double-check that you have the long-form version before making the drive out.
Quick reminder: Keep track of everything you bring in (your ID, payment card, etc.) and gather it all before you leave. Moving promptly at the end of your visit helps you avoid leaving something behind.
If you're 18 or older, expect a pat/frisk search. Evans is a Level II/Level III institution, so a pat/frisk is required on top of the standard screening procedures. Female visitors will only be searched by female employees.
Evans allows contact visits, meaning you won't be separated by plexiglass. This makes the visit feel more natural, but follow staff instructions carefully. Contact visitation is a privilege, and the facility can restrict it if rules aren't followed.
Use the restroom before you go in. During a two-hour visit, you're allowed to use the visitation room restrooms only once.
Children age nine or younger must go with the adult visitor to the restroom. That trip counts as the one-time restroom use for both of you, so plan the timing carefully.
Want to grab something from the vending machines during your visit? Bring a debit or credit card. As of July 1, 2024, vending machines at Evans accept debit/credit cards only. PayKeys are no longer accepted. You're allowed to bring your card into the visitation area.
- ✓ Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted
- ✓ Prepaid debit cards are not accepted
- ✓ The debit/credit card must have your name printed on it, and that name must match your ID
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