Search South Carolina Jail Rosters
South Carolina jail roster records are public. They show who is held in jails across all 46 counties in the state. The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search for state prison inmates. County sheriffs post their own jail rosters too. You can look up inmates by name through official portals. Most show booking photos, charges, and bond amounts. VINE provides free custody alerts when an inmate is moved or released. Use this page to find the right South Carolina jail roster search tool for your county or city.
South Carolina Jail Roster Quick Facts
South Carolina Jail Roster Search Tools
The SCDC inmate search is the main state tool for jail roster records in South Carolina. It is free to use. The system covers all inmates held in South Carolina state prisons as of midnight the day before. SCDC runs 21 facilities with roughly 5,700 staff and more than 20,000 inmates. The search shows photos, charges, and where each person is held. It does not list county jail inmates or those on parole. Under S.C. Code Ann. Sections 20-7-8505 and 20-7-8515, SCDC does not share data on juveniles in its care. You can report errors to the Ombudsman at Ombudsman@doc.sc.gov or call 803-896-9409.
The SCDC Incarcerated Inmate Search portal lets you look up current state inmates in South Carolina by name.
Type a last name and click search. Results show the inmate's photo, age, race, sex, and current facility. Law enforcement can access added features under S.C. Code Section 17-28-330(A), such as custodian of evidence alerts. The toll-free inmate line is 1-866-727-2846 for those who want to call.
SLED Criminal History in South Carolina
The SLED CATCH system is South Carolina's central criminal history database. CATCH stands for Citizens Access To Criminal Histories. It is run by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division from Columbia.
A CATCH search costs $25 and requires the person's last name, first initial, and date of birth. The system returns criminal records from South Carolina only. It does not include current jail roster data or wanted persons. Results can differ from fingerprint checks since aliases may cause false matches. CATCH works best for a full criminal history, not current jail status. For current inmates, use the SCDC jail roster search or your county's detention center website in South Carolina.
Note: CATCH is not a jail roster tool and does not show who is in custody right now in South Carolina.
South Carolina Inmate Custody Alerts
VINE is a free service that tracks inmate custody status across South Carolina. It stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. The system covers most county jails and all state prisons in South Carolina.
Search for an inmate by name or ID number. Then register to get alerts by phone, email, or text when their status changes. VINE sends alerts for transfers, releases, escapes, or deaths. The service runs at all hours, every day. Live help is on hand in English, Spanish, and other languages through the call center at 1-800-846-3546. VINE pairs well with jail roster searches for anyone who needs to track custody status in South Carolina over time.
County Jail Rosters in South Carolina
Each of South Carolina's 46 counties runs its own jail. Most fall under the county sheriff. Some counties share a regional facility. Calhoun County sends inmates to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Regional Detention Center. Lee County uses the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center. Each county keeps its own jail roster with booking data, charges, and bond details.
Many counties post jail rosters online. Charleston County has a full inmate search portal. Greenville County offers one too. Berkeley, Beaufort, and Dorchester counties also have web-based jail roster tools. Smaller counties may only take phone requests. The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index gives access to court records for all 46 counties. It shows case details, charges, and court dates that tie to jail roster entries in South Carolina.
South Carolina jail roster records usually show:
- Full name and booking photo
- Date of arrest and charges filed
- Bond amount and custody status
- Current holding facility
- Next court date if one is set
Some county jail rosters update in real time. Others refresh once per day. Check your county page on this site for the right link and phone number to use in South Carolina.
SC Corrections and Jail Roster Data
The South Carolina Department of Corrections manages all state prisons. The agency dates back to 1866 when the state first set up a prison system. Today SCDC runs 21 facilities across the state.
SCDC handles state prisons only. County jails fall under each county sheriff. State prisons hold inmates serving more than one year. County jails hold pre-trial inmates and those with short sentences. You may need to check both state and county jail roster tools when you search for someone in South Carolina. FOIA requests to SCDC go to FOIA@doc.sc.gov. They charge $0.25 per page and $25.92 per hour for search and retrieval under Section 30-4-30(b) of the South Carolina Code.
The SCDC Released Inmate List lets you search for former state inmates in South Carolina who have been freed.
Use it when someone no longer shows on an active jail roster. It shows release dates and basic details. For people out of custody but still under state watch, the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services tracks those on probation or parole in South Carolina.
Note: The SCDC inmate search and released inmate list cover state inmates only, not those held in county detention centers across South Carolina.
South Carolina Jail Records and FOIA
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public the right to access jail records. Under S.C. Code Title 30, Chapter 4, any person can request records from jails and sheriff's offices. Section 30-4-20(a) names sheriff's departments and detention centers as public bodies. Section 30-4-20(c) defines public records to include booking logs, photos, and other jail roster documents. Section 30-4-15 states that public business must be done in an open manner so citizens stay informed.
Public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days for recent records. Certain jail records must be given right away when asked in person:
- Names of anyone jailed in the past three months
- Crime reports from the last 14 days
- Minutes of recent public meetings
The South Carolina Association of Counties offers FOIA guides for county officials and the public.
Section 30-4-40 allows some exemptions. Records that could harm safety or reveal sources may be held back. Juvenile jail records are not public under state law. Under Section 30-4-30(A)(1), inmates themselves cannot use FOIA to request records, though other rights still apply. Fees vary by county but most charge $0.25 per page for copies. Staff time can cost $15 to $25 per hour for search and review of jail roster records in South Carolina.
South Carolina Jail Roster Legal Resources
The SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services tracks offenders who have left jail but remain under court watch. Their search covers people on probation, parole, or in community programs across South Carolina. This helps fill gaps left by jail roster searches when someone has been released but is still in the system.
The SC Sex Offender Registry is a free tool from SLED. It shows registered offenders by name or location. This adds to jail roster searches by showing people who carry registration terms after release.
The South Carolina Attorney General's Office issues legal opinions on public records access in the state. These guide what jail records the public can and cannot see. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains court records across all 46 counties. Court records often have more detail than jail rosters about charges, hearings, and case outcomes in South Carolina.
Note: Court records and jail roster data come from different systems and may not match in real time across South Carolina counties.
Browse South Carolina Jail Rosters by County
Each county in South Carolina runs its own detention center with a jail roster. Pick a county below to find local inmate search tools, contact details, and resources for that area.
Jail Roster Records in Major SC Cities
City residents in South Carolina are processed through their county detention center. Pick a city below to learn where jail roster records are held for that area.