What Happens If You Miss a Scheduled Visit at Livesay (and How to Avoid Losing a Visit)

South Carolina Department of Corrections enforces a 48-hour cancellation rule for scheduled visits. If you can't make it, cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled time. Miss that window, and the visit still counts toward the inmate's monthly total, even if nobody shows up. So if your visit is Saturday at 12:00 p.m., you'd need to cancel by Thursday at 12:00 p.m. to keep it from eating into the monthly allowance.

1. Confirm the start time of the scheduled visit. Use the exact date and time on the appointment.
2. Count back 48 hours. That is your cancellation deadline.
3. Cancel before the deadline. Canceling at least 48 hours ahead is what prevents the visit from counting toward the inmate’s monthly total.

General population inmates with visitation privileges get four in-person visits per month. That's it. This is exactly why the 48-hour cancellation rule matters so much. If a visit stays on the schedule and you don't cancel in time, that missed appointment still counts toward the monthly total. Fewer visits left for the rest of the month.

• ✓ General population inmates with visitation privileges are allowed four in-person visits per month.
• ✓ Inmates may have one visit per weekend as part of that monthly allowance.
• ✓ If you do not cancel at least 48 hours before a scheduled visit and you miss it, that visit still counts toward the inmate’s monthly total.

If something comes up and you're already inside that 48-hour window, contact the SCDC Visitation office right away. Even if the visit still ends up counting, reaching out quickly is the best way to document what happened and ask about any available options. You can email the Visitation office at visitation@doc.sc.gov or call the Visitation Inquiry Line at 803-896-1838.

1. Call the Visitation Inquiry Line. Dial 803-896-1838.
2. Use the right menu option. Press 1 for questions about the visitation application process or to leave a message.
3. Document your attempt. Write down the date and time you called, whether you left a message, and any details you were given if you spoke with someone.