Visitation: registering visitors, scheduling, and common visiting hours
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 Carolina driver's license can register online. Paper applications can be mailed to: Division of Visitation and I/M DT, P.O. Box 212969, Columbia, S.C., 29221-2969.
For scheduling, SCDC requires all visits to be scheduled at least 15 hours ahead using the GTL scheduler. County jails can be different. Laurens County Detention Center requires at least 24 hours advance notice for either offsite or onsite visits, and all visits are monitored and recorded.
Visiting hours are set by the facility and can vary even within the same state. Laurens County Detention Center lists visitation hours as 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sumter County Detention Center lists visiting hours as 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Before you drive a long distance, I recommend confirming the schedule with the facility using the contact information they publish.
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
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).
Q
Are visits monitored or recorded in South Carolina facilities?
Some facilities explicitly state that visits are monitored and recorded. For example, Laurens County Detention Center states all visits will be monitored and recorded, and it also lists visitation hours as 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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