How to Conduct a South Carolina Inmate Search

Information about inmates in South Carolina is documented and stored by the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC). As per the guidelines laid down by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), those records that are defined as public records and have not been excluded under Section 3-4-40 of the FOIA should be accessible to the public on request. This means that the general public can conduct a free South Carolina inmate search to obtain information on an individual serving a prison term in the state.

Why Do You Need to Conduct an Inmate Search?

A South Carolina inmate search is useful as a form of background check. It can help determine whether or not an individual has been in trouble with the law. An inmate search will also help to locate a person who may have been incarcerated in a South Carolina correctional facility.

What Inmate Information is Available?

A South Carolina inmate search will display results containing all information that has been made public by the FOIA. This includes a photograph of the inmate, details of his or her physical appearance, the nature of the offense, and the details of the conviction.

The records available from the South Carolina Department of Corrections contain information only on the inmates currently incarcerated in the state. No information is available on fugitives, offenders who have been released from the correctional facility, offenders who are serving sentences in county detention facilities, or inmates who are under parole, probation, or some form of community supervision.

As per the rules contained in South Carolina Code Ann. Sections 20-7-8505 and 20-7-8515, the SCDC is not entitled to provide public information on juvenile offenders. The inmate search tool provided by the SCDC is not to be used for commercial purposes.

How to Conduct a South Carolina Inmate Search

You may conduct your South Carolina inmate search in any one of the following ways: look amongst the publicly available records listed on the web site, visit the SCDC office to submit a search request, send your request via postal mail, or call the Department office.

The inmate search tool on the SCDC's website is located at http://www.doc.sc.gov/InmateSearchDisclaimer.jsp. This tool allows users to look up the details about individuals incarcerated in South Carolina state prisons. Information about inmates incarcerated by the SCDC can be found at https://sword.doc.state.sc.us/incarceratedInmateSearch/.

The SCDC’s website allows you to perform an inmate search based on a number of parameters. You can search by an inmate’s SCDC number, state identification (SID) number, or first or last name. You can also search using the Phonetic Match feature. If you are not certain about the spelling of a name, you can use this feature to bring up a list of all the names that sound similar to the one you have entered in the search field. Otherwise you will be given a list of all names that begin with the letters of the name you have supplied to the system.

You may also submit your request in writing to the SCDC FOAI Coordinator, who is responsible for the records that are deemed public under the guidelines of the FOIA. Ensure that your request contains a detailed description of the kind of information you are seeking in addition to your name, contact address, and phone number. Mail this request to the FOIA Coordinator at Office of General Counsel, South Carolina Department of Corrections, 4444 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.

You may also call the toll free line at 877-846-3472 to ask for information on an inmate at the SCDC.

Records at the SCDC are updated regularly but the Department does not guarantee their accuracy. In fact, the SCDC also welcomes your input regarding errors in inmate information. You may e-mail your suggestions to corrections.info@doc.state.sc.us. When you are conducting a South Carolina inmate search, keep in mind that the SCDC cannot be held responsible for the direct or indirect damages that may have resulted from the use of inmate information. It is up to you to use the data responsibly.