Colleton County Public Records /Colleton County Inmate Search

Colleton County Inmate Search

What Is Inmate Records In Colleton County?

Inmate records in Colleton County are official government documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office to document individuals who are or have been held in custody within the county's detention system. These records are distinct from court records: while the Colleton County Clerk of Court maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders, the detention facility maintains custody records that track an individual's physical presence within the jail system.

The record lifecycle begins at booking and intake, when a person is first received into custody. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record physical descriptors, and photograph the individual. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is formally closed and archived, though it remains subject to public records laws.

Under § 30-4-20 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "public record" is defined broadly to include all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body. Custody records maintained by the Colleton County Sheriff's Office fall squarely within this definition.

Colleton County Sheriff's Office 31 Klein Street, Walterboro, SC 29488 (843) 549-2211 Colleton County Sheriff's Office

Are Inmate Records Public In Colleton County?

Inmate records maintained by Colleton County correctional facilities are generally accessible to members of the public under South Carolina law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, § 30-4-30, establishes that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, unless a specific exemption applies. Corrections-specific exemptions exist for certain sensitive materials, such as security plans, medical records protected under HIPAA, and information that could endanger facility staff or other inmates.

The following categories of information are currently accessible to the public regarding individuals held in Colleton County custody:

Current inmate roster — names and booking dates of individuals presently in custody
Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and intake
Charges filed — criminal charges for which the individual is being held
Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court for pretrial release
Expected release dates — projected release or next court appearance dates
Housing facility — the specific facility where the individual is currently housed

Certain records, including juvenile records, ongoing investigative files, and protected medical information, are exempt from disclosure under state law and will not be released in response to a public records request.

What's Included in Inmate Records in Colleton County

Inmate records maintained by the Colleton County detention system contain a comprehensive set of data fields that are compiled from the moment of booking through the date of release or transfer.

Basic Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Race, sex, height, weight, and eye color
Booking photograph (mugshot)
State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)

Custody Information:

Booking date and time
Arresting agency and arresting officer
Current housing unit and cell assignment
Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold)

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges and applicable South Carolina code sections
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Warrant numbers associated with each charge

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond type (personal recognizance, surety, cash)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond status (posted, pending, denied)

Court Information:

Next scheduled court date and court division
Case numbers associated with pending charges
Attorney of record, if applicable

Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):

Sentence length and start date
Projected release date based on sentence
Good-time credits applied, if any
Any concurrent or consecutive sentence designations

Release Information:

Actual release date and time
Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, dismissal)
Destination upon release (if transferred to another facility)

Colleton County Prison System

Colleton County operates a local detention facility under the authority of the Colleton County Sheriff's Office, which is responsible for the pretrial detention of individuals awaiting trial and for housing individuals serving sentences of generally up to one year for misdemeanor and lower-level felony convictions. This structure is distinct from the South Carolina state prison system, which is administered by the South Carolina Department of Corrections and houses individuals convicted of more serious offenses serving sentences longer than one year.

The county jail serves as the primary point of intake for all individuals arrested within Colleton County by local, county, or state law enforcement agencies. Individuals who are subsequently convicted of offenses carrying longer sentences may be transferred to a state correctional institution operated by SCDC.

Colleton County Sheriff's Office — Detention Division 31 Klein Street, Walterboro, SC 29488 (843) 549-2211 Colleton County Sheriff's Office

South Carolina Department of Corrections 4444 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 896-8555 South Carolina Department of Corrections

Types of Correctional Facilities In Colleton County

Colleton County's correctional infrastructure consists of the following facility:

Colleton County Detention Center The Colleton County Detention Center is the primary county-operated jail facility, managed by the Colleton County Sheriff's Office. It houses pretrial detainees, individuals serving short-term sentences, and individuals held on behalf of other agencies pending transfer.

Address: 31 Klein Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
Phone: (843) 549-2211
Operated by: Colleton County Sheriff's Office
Capacity: County-level detention for pretrial and sentenced populations
Website: Colleton County Sheriff's Office

Individuals convicted of offenses requiring incarceration beyond the county level are transferred to facilities operated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The SCDC operates multiple institutions statewide, and Colleton County residents may be housed at any of those facilities depending on classification and available bed space.

Who's in Prison In Colleton County

The Colleton County Detention Center houses several distinct populations at any given time. Members of the public seeking information about a specific individual should be aware of which population category applies, as this determines which agency maintains the relevant records.

Pretrial detainees — individuals who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted; they are held because they have not posted bond or have been denied bond
Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of up to one year at the county level
Individuals on immigration holds — persons held at the request of federal immigration authorities pending transfer
Individuals held for other jurisdictions — persons awaiting transfer to another county, state, or federal facility
Probation and parole violators — individuals detained pending a hearing on an alleged violation of supervision conditions; the Colleton County office of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services coordinates supervision matters for this population

Individuals serving state prison sentences are not housed at the county detention center and must be located through the South Carolina Department of Corrections' inmate search tool.

How To Search for Inmate Records In Colleton County in 2026

Members of the public may search for inmate records in Colleton County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:

Step 1 — Online Search via SCDC For individuals who may have been transferred to a state facility, members of the public may use the South Carolina Department of Corrections' official database. The SCDC inmate search allows searches by name or SCDC identification number and returns current custody status, facility location, and sentence information for individuals currently incarcerated in the state system.

Step 2 — Contact the Colleton County Detention Center Directly For individuals believed to be held at the county level, members of the public may contact the Colleton County Sheriff's Office Detention Division at (843) 549-2211 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff can confirm whether a named individual is currently in custody and provide basic booking information.

Step 3 — Submit a FOIA Request Pursuant to § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, any person may submit a written public records request to the Colleton County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject individual by full name and date of birth and specify the records sought. The agency is required to respond within ten business days.

Step 4 — Check Probation and Parole Status For individuals under community supervision, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services maintains a searchable offender search database that allows the public to locate individuals currently under SCDPPPS supervision.

Step 5 — Search Released Inmate Records The SCDC maintains a released inmate list that allows searches by release date range and county, including Colleton County, for individuals who have been released from state custody.

How To Find an Inmate in Colleton County for Free?

Several no-cost methods are available for locating an inmate in Colleton County without incurring fees.

SCDC Online Inmate Locator — The South Carolina Department of Corrections provides free public access to its inmate search for individuals currently housed in state facilities. No account or payment is required.
SCDPPPS Offender Search — The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services offers a free offender search for individuals under active supervision.
Telephone Inquiry — Members of the public may call the Colleton County Detention Center at (843) 549-2211 at no charge to inquire about an individual's custody status.
In-Person Inquiry — Members of the public may visit the Colleton County Sheriff's Office at 31 Klein Street, Walterboro, SC 29488, during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to request basic custody information at no cost.
Released Inmate Records — The SCDC's released inmate list is freely accessible online and searchable by county and release date range.

How To Visit an Inmate In Colleton County

Visitation at the Colleton County Detention Center is governed by facility rules established by the Colleton County Sheriff's Office. Members of the public wishing to visit an incarcerated individual must comply with all applicable procedures.

Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be pre-approved by the facility prior to their first visit. Approval typically requires submission of a visitor application with valid government-issued photo identification. Visitors who have felony convictions may be subject to additional review or denial.

Visit Schedule Visitation schedules are set by the Colleton County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (843) 549-2211 to confirm current visitation days and times before arriving.

What to Bring

Valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Visitor approval documentation, if required by the facility

What NOT to Bring

Cell phones, cameras, or recording devices
Food, beverages, or tobacco products
Weapons or any prohibited items
Large amounts of cash

Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms (typically orange or similar colors), clothing that is revealing or offensive, and clothing with gang-related insignia are prohibited. Open-toed shoes may be restricted.

Visit Types

In-person contact visits — where permitted by the facility and the inmate's classification
Non-contact visits — conducted through a glass partition with telephone communication
Video visitation — remote video visits may be available through the facility's contracted service provider

Visit Restrictions Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules, pending disciplinary proceedings, or during facility lockdowns. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and may require additional documentation.

How To Send Money to a Colleton County Inmate

Funds may be deposited into an inmate's trust account at the Colleton County Detention Center through methods authorized by the facility. These funds allow inmates to purchase approved items from the commissary, make telephone calls, and cover other permitted expenses.

Accepted Methods

Online deposits — The facility may utilize a contracted third-party service for online deposits; members of the public should contact the Colleton County Detention Center at (843) 549-2211 to confirm the current approved provider and process.
Money orders — Addressed to the inmate by full legal name and booking number, mailed to the Colleton County Detention Center, 31 Klein Street, Walterboro, SC 29488.
Kiosk deposits — If a lobby kiosk is available at the facility, cash or card deposits may be made in person during public counter hours.

For individuals under state supervision, the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services provides an offender payment portal for payment of probation fees and restitution using the offender's year of birth and State Identification Number.

Amount Limits and Fees Deposit limits and transaction fees vary by method and are set by the facility and its contracted service provider. Members of the public should verify current limits and applicable fees directly with the Colleton County Detention Center prior to submitting funds.

What Money Cannot Be Used For Inmate trust account funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly through the jail account unless specifically authorized. Funds may not be transferred to other inmates.

What Cannot Be Sent Personal checks, cash sent through the mail, and gift cards are generally not accepted. Any funds sent through unauthorized methods may be returned or confiscated.

How To Send Jail Mail In Colleton County

Members of the public may correspond with inmates held at the Colleton County Detention Center by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable South Carolina law.

Mailing Address All mail must be addressed to the inmate using their full legal name and booking number:

Inmate Full Legal Name / Booking Number Colleton County Detention Center 31 Klein Street Walterboro, SC 29488

Rules for Sending Mail

All letters must be written on plain white paper with a standard envelope; colored paper, stickers, glitter, or other embellishments are prohibited
Postcards are generally accepted; cards with metallic or raised elements may be rejected
Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid photographs and photographs with explicit content are prohibited
Books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual
No cash, checks, money orders, or gift cards may be enclosed in mail
Mail containing contraband, coded language, or content that poses a security threat will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action against the inmate
Return address must include the sender's full name and address; anonymous mail will not be delivered

All mail is opened and inspected by facility staff before delivery to the inmate. Legal mail from licensed attorneys is handled under separate procedures and may be opened only in the inmate's presence, consistent with constitutional protections recognized under applicable federal and state law.