SCDC – Ridgeland Correctional Institution

SCDC – Ridgeland Correctional Institution basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 843-726-6888

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at Ridgeland Correctional located at 5 Correctional Rd in Ridgeland, SC are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.

The Correctional Institution is a level 2 medium-security state prison that houses about 1,150 adult male inmates. Housing is primarily double bunk, cell type with some institutions having double-bunk cubicles. With single fenced perimeters and electronic surveillance, level 2 institutions provide a higher level of security than level 1 facilities. This facility engages in the correctional industries program and employs inmates in the production of PVC furniture. This facility also provides video conferencing capabilities for parole hearings. Inmates here who do not currently possess a diploma is encouraged to take GED preparation courses and obtain their GED. Additionally, adult basic education and literacy courses are offered. Medical, dental, and mental services are provided on-site. Inmates can participate in vocational training and learn small appliance repair and carpentry skills. Inmates can also join twelve-step programs like Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous and religious worship services at this prison. Selected inmates can opt to work on crews that clean litter from roadways, provide a labor force for the Department of Parks and Recreation, and can lecture at-risk youths and adults in the "Operations Behind Bars" program that conveys the consequences of crime and what life in prison is like.

visitation Info

SCDC – Ridgeland Correctional Institution – Visitation

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Visitation Inquiry Line: 803-896-1838
   Press 1 — for questions regarding the visitation application process. If the recording does not answer your question, you may leave a message including your phone number (with area code) and staff will return your call within three business days.
   Press 2 — for up-to-date information about prisons that presently have canceled visitation because of security concerns.

Each inmate in the S. C. Department of Corrections is allowed to have a maximum of fifteen (15) approved visitors on his/her visiting list. Each inmate is provided with  "Request for Visiting Privileges" forms (SCDC Form 19-127) to send to his/her prospective visitors.  The only way for an individual to receive a visiting privileges form is from the inmate who wants them to visit.  These forms are provided to each inmate upon arrival in the Department of Corrections Reception and Evaluation Center and are available to inmates in all institutions throughout the state.   Every individual must complete this form and forward it to Visitation through the Central Visitation Center for processing.  The form is reviewed by staff and the information is entered into the automated system.  If the form is missing any required information, the form is returned to the sender for proper completion.

Once the application form has been properly completed, submitted, and approved, the individual is added to the inmate's visiting list.  An inmate is provided a copy of his approved visiting list once a week if a change is made during that week. IT IS THE INMATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE HIS/HER VISITOR(S) OF THEIR APPROVAL.

Inmates are not allowed to have visitors during the reception and evaluation process unless they remain in the Reception and Evaluation Center longer than thirty (30) days and the visitor is on the approved visiting list. After thirty (30) days only an inmates' parents, grandparents, spouse, and/or children are eligible to visit at R&E. In order to schedule a visit at R&E on the approved list after 30 days, contact 803-896-2000 between the hours of 8:00-12:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays ONLY.