Charleston County Inmate Search
A Charleston County Inmate Search is a means to obtain access to offender information. Inmate information comes under the statutory definition of public records. As such, it is a tool of accountability. It is a valuable tool in inmate tracking and an inquiry into inmate welfare, the administration, and the activities of the justice system. Friends, family, legal representatives, and medical professionals can also use inmate records to find inmate visitation and call privileges.
Not all persons incarcerated in the Charleston County Detention Center are convicted felons. Some people are awaiting trial. A Charleston County inmate lookup provides access to court dates, court schedules, bail or bond information, parole and release dates.
Charleston County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
According to the 2022 Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Annual Report, 7,756 persons were arrested and successfully booked in relation to criminal charges within that year.
Based on the report, the most prevalent crimes leading to arrests are unlawful possession of firearms, driving under the influence (DUI), trespass, simple assault, shoplifting, and public disorderly conduct. Between 2019-2022, firearms possession violations increased by 13.6 percent. In general, the County witnessed a 6.8 percent increase in bookings and a 6.4 percent increase in the number of people booked.
Charleston County Prison System
The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center is the sole correctional facility for adult offenders in Charleston County. It is a secure facility with a rated capacity of 1,693 inmates. Presently, it holds 1,010 inmates. Of that number, 931 are male offenders, and the remaining 79 are female offenders.
The County also has a Juvenile Detention Center that houses juvenile offenders below the age of 18. The Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center has a 60-bed capacity. It is a highly secure environment equipped with resources to rehabilitate young offenders.
How to Find an Inmate in Charleston County
Anyone looking to find an inmate incarcerated in Charleston County Prisons or custody of the County Sheriff should contact or visit the sheriff's office record division with all questions and inquiries. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office is open from Monday to Friday between 8:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Interested persons may also fill out the General Inquiries Form and submit it online.
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
3691 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 202-1700
Records Division
Phone: (843) 554-2450
How Does a Charleston County Inmate Search Work?
Per Section 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, individuals have the right to inspect, copy, and request public records of public offices via mail, fax, or other authorized channels except expressly prohibited by law, statute, or in a bid to ensure safety and privacy of sensitive and confidential information. However, public members must follow the rules and guidelines to access and retrieve inmate information in Charleston County successfully.
A typical researcher can expect to find the following data after an inmate search:
- Inmate ID
- Inmate’s Full Name
- Date of birth, age, height and weight
- Booking date, time, and status
- Gender and Race
- Mugshot
- Reason for arrest
- Arresting Agency
- Charge Details
- Charge Description
- Bond Amount
- Court Name
- Court Date
- Warrant
- Release Dates.
Where to Find a Charleston County Inmate Locator
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online database for inmates incarcerated in its Al Cannon Detention Center. This Inmate Search Application helps inquirers access accurate and updated inmate information. To use this search platform, provide the first and last name of the inmate, booking date, or inmate number to discover in-depth inmate status and arrest information.
Members of the public can also look up inmate information using the South Carolina Department of Correction Inmate Locator. The search criteria required here include the first and last name of the inmate, the State Identification Number, and the South Carolina Department of Correction ID Number. A third option is third-party inmate locators. Third-party search sites are often free and have fewer search requirements and zero restrictions on the searcher's location.
How to Send Jail Mail in Charleston County
Individuals who wish to send mail to inmates in Charleston County Detention Centers must take care to follow the rules set by the facility or risk their mail being rejected or sent back.
Senders are to address all personal and non-legal mail to the SECURUS Digital Mail Center, which will be scanned and made available to inmates via electronic devices (tablets). They can also include pictures and drawings alongside personal mail. The mail center will return all images, papers, or other items that cannot be scanned. Letters to inmates in the Charleston County Detention Center should be addressed thus:
Sender’s Full Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Inmate Name and ID Number
C/O Securus Digital Mail Center
P.O. Box 973
Lebanon, MO 65536
Mails that aren't addressed in the correct format might hinder the recipient from receiving it at the time intended by the sender. Further, visitors are prohibited from presenting written mail to the facility reception or handing letters to inmates during visitation hours.
Unlike personal mail, legal correspondence should be addressed directly to the holding facility. Due to Attorney-client privilege, facility officials can only open letters marked as legal or confidential in the presence of the inmate recipient. Regardless, facility officials are authorized by law to inspect all inmate correspondence for contraband. The Charleston County Detention Center has provided a list of items that are not allowed within the jail premises and, as such, are deemed contraband.
- Food Items
- Articles of Clothing
- Greeting Cards
- Cigarettes, toiletries, and beauty products
- Cash, checks, and credit cards
- Phones, prepaid phone cards, recording devices, and electronics
- Polaroids
- Firearms or other dangerous objects
- Glue, tape, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, glitter or stickers
- Stationary, pencils, pens, paper, or other writing materials,
- Books, magazines, newspapers
- Any item listed as contraband within the state of South Carolina.
Charleston County Jails and Prisons
The following is a list of the names, contact information, and addresses of Charleston County detention centers and prison facilities.
Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center
3841 Leeds Avenue,
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 529-7300
Charleston County Juvenile Detention Center
4450 Brickyard Creek Road
Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 529-7403
