Find Charleston County Inmates

Charleston County provides a full online jail roster through its inmate search portal. The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center houses all Charleston County inmates at 3841 Leeds Avenue in North Charleston, SC 29405. This facility processes about 33,000 inmates each year. You can search the Charleston County jail roster by name, booking date, arrest date, or inmate number. The system also offers a "sounds like" option to help with name spelling. This guide walks you through the search tools, facility details, and records request steps for Charleston County.

Charleston County Inmate Search

The Charleston County Inmate Search portal is the best way to check the jail roster. It is free and open to all. You can search by last name, first name, booking date range, arrest date range, or inmate number. There is also an option to show past bookings.

The screenshot below shows the Charleston County inmate search page where you can look up current and past detainees.

The "sounds like" feature helps when you are not sure how a name is spelled. This tool pulls from the booking database at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center. Results show booking dates, charges, and bond amounts.

Note: The search tool may not show inmates booked in the last few hours due to processing time.

Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center

This facility is named after former Sheriff J. Al Cannon Jr. It sits at 3841 Leeds Avenue in North Charleston. The center has four buildings. Tower A is the original structure. Current capacity stands at 1,693 inmates, down from 1,917 after 2020 reductions.

The Processing Division handles about 33,000 bookings per year. Over 700 cameras watch the facility from Central Control. Chief of Detention is Cary Bryant. Chief Deputy Patrick Morris leads the jail staff. All visitors must pass through a metal detector and bag scan.

The facility runs a cashless system. Inmates cannot hold U.S. currency. All purchases go through commissary accounts. You can add money at the kiosk in the lobby.

Visitation at Charleston County Jail

Charleston County uses video-only visits. This cuts down on contraband. An inmate must be held for at least 72 hours before visits start. The schedule runs seven days a week: 8am to 11am, 1pm to 4pm, and 6pm to 9:30pm.

The Charleston County Sheriff's Office website has full details on visit rules. You must bring a valid photo ID. No bags or phones are allowed in the visit area.

The image below shows the Charleston County Sheriff's Office homepage where you can find policies and contact details.

Check the site before your visit. Hours and rules can change with short notice.

Charleston County Jail Roster Records

FOIA requests for jail roster records should go to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office. Under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, public agencies must respond within 10 business days. They have up to 30 days to produce the records.

Mail your request to 3841 Leeds Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405. State what records you need. Include names, date ranges, and record types. Fees may apply for copies and staff time.

You can also use the SC Public Index to look up court records tied to Charleston County cases. This covers criminal, civil, and family court cases.

State Search Tools

For inmates who have moved to state prison, use the SCDC Inmate Search. This shows all inmates in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. You can search by name or SCDC number.

The Charleston County homepage is shown below, which links to county services and public safety resources.

The county site links to courts, the sheriff, and other local services.

VINELink tracks custody changes for inmates across South Carolina. You can sign up for free alerts by phone, text, or email. This covers the Charleston County jail and all state facilities. The SCDC Portal offers another way to search for sentenced inmates.

Charleston Jail Roster Tips

The jail roster updates often. The Processing Division runs around the clock. New bookings show up within hours. Past bookings stay in the system for some time.

If you cannot find someone online, call the detention center at (843) 529-7300. Staff can check if a person is in custody. Have the full name and date of birth ready. This speeds up the search.

• Use the online portal first for fast results.
• Try the "sounds like" option if the name has varied spellings.
• Call (843) 529-7300 for the most current roster data.
• Check VINELink for custody status alerts.
• File a FOIA request for official copies of records.

Note: All persons listed on the jail roster are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Charleston Detention Security

The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center uses over 700 cameras watched from Central Control. Every entrance has metal detectors and bag scanners. No one gets in without a screening. This is one of the most secure county jails in South Carolina.

The cashless system means no bills or coins inside the facility. All purchases go through commissary accounts. Families can add funds at the kiosk in the main lobby. This helps cut down on theft and fights over cash. The system also tracks all spending, which aids in record keeping.

Four buildings make up the detention center. Tower A is the oldest. Each building has its own control point that links back to the central room. Officers can lock or unlock any door from the control center. They also manage lights, climate, and phone access from one place.

Charleston County Jail Roster Updates

The Processing Division runs nonstop. New bookings show up on the roster within hours. Past bookings remain in the system for a time. If you search for someone who was released, their record may still appear with a past booking flag.

With about 33,000 bookings per year, that averages to over 90 per day. Charleston County is one of the busiest detention centers in the state. The roster reflects this volume. Check often for the most up-to-date list of inmates.

Note: The SC Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services site can help track individuals on probation after release from Charleston County.

Nearby County Jails

These nearby counties also have jail rosters you can search:

• Berkeley County Jail Roster
• Dorchester County Jail Roster
• Colleton County Jail Roster