Scheduling Your First In-Person Visit at Wateree River — 15-Hour Rule, Time Blocks, and Monthly Limits
Your first in-person visit goes smoother when you plan around Wateree River's scheduling rules. Here's how the 15-hour minimum, two-hour time blocks, and monthly limits work—so you don't lose a visit spot.
You can't schedule a same-day in-person visit at Wateree River. All visits must be booked at least 15 hours in advance through the GTL scheduler. Before you can use it, you'll need to be registered on the SCDC/GTL scheduling site and approved on the visitation list. If this is your first time, handle registration early - don't scramble the day before you want to go.
Note: Inside that 15-hour window, the scheduler won't show any available appointments. Plan ahead.
In-person visits run between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You're booking a two-hour block, not an open-ended time slot - your visit is tied to that window. If you're coordinating rides, work schedules, or childcare, plan around the specific block you select.
Tip: Pick a two-hour block you can actually make. Your visit is locked to that scheduled window.
Wateree River limits how often an incarcerated person can receive in-person visits. General population inmates with visitation privileges get up to four visits per month - and only one visit per weekend. You can't stack multiple visits into the same weekend to catch up if you missed earlier ones. These rules work together: the monthly cap controls total visits, and the weekend rule controls spacing. If you're planning ahead for a busy month, think about spreading visits out rather than booking back-to-back days.
- Plan for one weekend at a time - Since only one visit is allowed per weekend, aim for one visit each weekend if you’re trying to reach the monthly maximum.
- Use the four-visit cap as your ceiling - Even if there are five weekends in a month, the maximum is still four in-person visits for eligible general population inmates.
- Avoid back-to-back weekend bookings - If you book one visit for a weekend, that uses the weekend allowance; schedule your next visit for a different weekend to stay within the rule.
Each visit has a group-size limit: up to four visitors at a time, with at least one adult in the group. If you're visiting with family and more than four people want to come, decide ahead of time who goes on which date. Otherwise, someone may get turned away at the door.
- ✓ No more than 4 visitors at one time
- ✓ At least 1 visitor in the group must be an adult
Want to land a specific day? Get set up early. You must be on the approved visitation list and registered on the SCDC/GTL scheduling website before you can book. Once you schedule, save your confirmation - a screenshot works fine. You'll want it handy to double-check your time block or fix any mistakes.
- ✓ Email the Visitation office: visitation@doc.sc.gov
- ✓ Call the Visitation Inquiry Line: 803-896-1838 (press 1 for application-process questions or to leave a message)
Note: Stuck on approval or scheduling? Contact Visitation by email or call the inquiry line and press 1.
Find an Inmate at Wateree River Corrections Institution, SC
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
