Chester County SC Detention Center

Chester County SC Detention Center basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 803-581-2602

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Chester County SC Detention Center is a medium-security detention center located at 2740 Dawson Dr in Chester, SC. This county jail is operated locally by the Chester County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Chester County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Chester Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

There are new detainees delivered to the jail daily, you can see arrest records here. Some are released after putting up bail, are released to a pretrial services caseload, are placed under supervision by a probation agency, or are released on their own recognizance with an agreement to appear in court. If there is no release, the inmate must wait here at the jail for their court appearance as a guest of the County, getting a bed and three square meals.

Trustees are inmates who work in the jail as cooks, as orderlies for the staff, in the laundry or in the commissary. The trustees are paid a very small amount for their time and some jail gives the trustees a few days off their sentence in exchange for their work.

When an inmate arrives in jail they are put together in a large holding cell with other inmates in the intake. While in intake they are under heightened observation. Violent and out of control inmates are segregated.

Can I Get Work Release?

Work release is when you are released from jail during the day so that you can go to work. At the end of the day, you return to jail for the night. There are a number of requirements to be able to get into the work-release program. Most programs require your employer to fill out some paperwork. If you want to get into the work release program then apply prior to being sentenced to jail. This will minimize the amount of time you spend in jail waiting to get into the program.

Can I call my family in Jail?

Chester County SC Detention Center has a phone program where inmates make outbound calls only, you cannot call into jail. Since you are paying for those calls don't make it a habit of accepting collect-calls, they are over $15 each. The alternative is to set up an account through their third-party phone company which charges steep fees for each minute used. You are paying for them to call you. Click here if you are going to speak a lot and need a discount on the calls.

Remember – These phone calls are recorded and conversations can be used against you or the inmate so do not discuss your case over these phone lines.

visitation Info

Chester County SC Detention Center – Visitation

Visitors are required to have valid identification. Accepted forms of identification are valid driver’s license, State issued ID card, passport, and Military ID card. Children under the age of 17 will not visit unless accompanied by an adult. No adult may sign in a person under 17 and leave the facility. This office is not and will not be responsible for any person under the age of 17. Articles such as handbags, briefcases; etc will not be permitted to enter the facility. No cell phones are permitted in the building. Attorneys and Clergy are required to have Bar/Clergy cards as well as another valid form of ID. Attorneys will be allowed to bring in their briefcases however; they are also subject to search. 

All Inmates (with the exception of State Inmates) must be incarcerated for a period of 7 days prior to being granted visitation. After the 7 day period, visitation depends on the classification of the Inmate. Below is a visitation schedule based on (basic) classification. 

Pre-trial visitation is held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm or 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm for the general population. Monday night from 7:30 to 8:30 is pre-trial female visit. Monday night from 8:30 to 9:30 is Administrative Segregation visit. Pre-trial inmates may have 3 visitors from an approved list of 7 during any period of visitation. Only 1 visitor at a time can be in the visitation room. The other 2 visitors must remain in the lobby. 
Sentenced (other than State) Visitation is held on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm for inmates whose last name begins with the letter A-L. Inmates with last names starting with letters M- Z will have visitation on Sunday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Sentenced (other than State) inmates may have 3 visitors from an approved list of 7 during any visitation period. 
State Inmates Visitation is held Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. State Inmates number of visitors is not limited. However, the number of visitors may be limited by shift supervisor if deemed necessary to maintain the security of the facility 
FORMER INMATE VISITATION PROCEDURE – Former inmates of the Chester County Detention Center or Prison Camp who have been charged with felonies or any drug charges*, will not be granted visitation privileges for 60 days. After 60 days visitation will be granted to those individuals described consistent with normal visitation policies. Former inmates of the Chester County Detention Center or Prison Camp with Charges other than felonies or drug charges* will be allowed to visit consistent with normal visitation policies. 
Note* Drug charges include possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession and possession with intent to distribute. 
Professional Clergy– may request a visit by appointment through administration. The must possess verifiable clergy credentials from their ecclesiastical organization, along with a picture ID. (State issued DL or ID). Visitation is granted one time* for anyone inmate unless circumstances require additional visits. Cases will be considered individually. 
Attorney Visit- Attorney visits are held whenever they are requested and do not interfere with the day to day operation or threaten the safety and security of the facility in any manner. 
Special Visits– a special visit may be requested when a family member is going to be available for a specific period of time but is not usually able to visit i.e. Military leave, College, Holiday vacation, or when someone lives 50 miles or more from the facility. This visit must be approved through administration. 
*Selected clergy visits the inmate population on a weekly basis 
VISITOR DRESS CODE 

• Shirts and shoes are mandatory. Clothing that exposes an undue amount of flesh (e.g., exposing chest, back, thighs or midsections) is prohibited. 
• Halter tops wife beaters sleeveless shirts 
• Tank tops fishnet material see-through fabric 
• Shorts cannot be more than three inches above the knee articles of clothing with profane pictures/ words 
• Skirts cannot be more than three inches above the knee clothes that excessively accent the body (spandex, 
• Skirts with slits/the slit cannot be more than three tights, leggings, tank tops, etc…) inches above the knee