South Carolina
Staying connected in South Carolina usually means juggling a few different systems, depending on whether your loved one is in an SCDC prison or a county detention center. Below you'll find the practical basics for calls, messages, video visits, mail, money, and visitation, plus where to look when you need a phone number or address fast.
Phone & Messaging
County detention centers may use different vendors and rules. Laurens County Detention Center, for example, offers both onsite and offsite video visitation...
Read guideFacility Info
For SCDC prison questions about visitation and the application process, SCDC has a Visitation office email (visitation@doc.sc.gov) and an inquiry line at...
Read guideWhat to expect inside South Carolina facilities (rules that affect visitors)
Rules vary by facility, but SCDC has a couple of statewide restrictions that trip people up. Personal wireless devices are prohibited inside SCDC...
Read guideMail & Photos
Mail rules can look very different from one South Carolina facility to the next, so start by checking the exact address and format required. Laurens County...
Read guideSending Money
For SCDC trust/commissary deposits by mail, money orders must be payable to "GTL Financial Services" and mailed with the deposit form. The maximum money...
Read guideVisitation
SCDC offers two ways to apply for visitation: online registration and paper applications. Effective June 1, 2025, adults 18 and older with a valid South...
Read guideFind an Inmate
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
Common Questions
Q
How do I schedule a virtual visit with a South Carolina DOC inmate?
If you’re on the inmate’s approved visitation list, SCDC’s virtual visit FAQ says you start by setting up an account on the GTL VisitMe site used by SCDC. The same FAQ says virtual visits must be scheduled at least three days in advance and no more than seven days in advance. It also lists a flat rate of $10 for a 50-minute virtual visit.
Q
Where should I mail a money order for a South Carolina DOC inmate?
SCDC’s deposit slip instructions say money orders must be payable to “GTL Financial Services,” include the deposit form, and be mailed to GTL Financial Services, 10005 Technology Blvd West Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75220. The same instructions set a maximum money order amount of $300 and require money orders to be issued in U.S. dollars.
Q
Can I send photos or packages to an inmate in South Carolina?
It depends on the facility. Laurens County Detention Center states inmates can only receive postcards, and it does not allow letters in envelopes or packages. In federal (BOP) facilities, BOP policy states inmates are not allowed to receive packages from home without prior written approval from the inmate’s unit team or authorized staff (with limited exceptions).
Q
How can I find a county jail’s phone number and visiting hours?
Check the detention center’s official contact listing, then call to confirm the current schedule. For examples, Sumter County Detention Center publishes a phone number (803-436-2340) and office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Kershaw County Detention Center publishes a phone number (803-425-1516).