Scheduling Your Visit at South Carolina DOC: How Far Ahead to Plan for In-Person and Virtual Visits
SCDC uses the same GTL scheduler for both in-person and virtual visits, but the timing rules differ. Here's how to plan ahead—and what to do if plans change.
Before you can book anything through the SCDC/GTL scheduler, two things need to be in place: you must be on the inmate's approved visitation list, and you need an account on the SCDC/GTL scheduling website. Once both are set up, you'll use that same scheduler to pick your visit time.
Reminder: You can’t book a slot until you’re on the approved visitation list and registered on the SCDC/GTL scheduling site.
SCDC requires visits to be scheduled at least 15 hours in advance through the GTL scheduler. For in-person visits, don't cut it close - give yourself extra time so you're not caught by the cutoff.
Virtual visits have a tighter booking window: at least three days ahead, but no more than seven. You can't schedule a same-weekend video visit at the last minute, and you can't book weeks in advance either. Grab a slot as soon as you're within that window.
- Modify your virtual visit (if you need to) - You can attempt to modify a virtual visit up to two days before the scheduled time.
- Cancel a virtual visit in time - Virtual visits can be canceled up to one day before the scheduled time.
Can't make an in-person visit? Cancel at least 48 hours ahead. Miss that window, and the visit still counts toward the inmate's monthly total - even if you never showed up.
General population inmates with visitation privileges get four in-person visits per month. That cap is why cancellations and no-shows matter - every scheduled visit affects what's left for the rest of the month.
Plan ahead: Late cancellations count against the inmate's four monthly in-person visits. Cancel as soon as you know you can't make it.
Tips Verify
- ✓ Confirm whether you’re booking an in-person visit or a virtual visit (the lead-time rules differ).
- ✓ For virtual visits, plan to schedule 3–7 days in advance.
- ✓ For in-person visits, follow SCDC’s published guidance to schedule at least 15 hours ahead.
- ✓ Make sure you’re on the inmate’s approved visitation list before you try to book.
- ✓ Register on the SCDC/GTL scheduling website and log in before you start looking for time slots.
Need help or have questions specific to your situation? Contact SCDC Visitation at visitation@doc.sc.gov or call 803-896-1838. Press 1 for application questions or to leave a message.
Before you book: Confirm which scheduling rule applies to your visit type. And don't miss the cancellation window - for in-person visits, a late cancel still counts against the monthly total.
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