Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center

Sheriff Al Cannon 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: 843-529-7300

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center is a medium-security detention center located at 3841 Leeds Ave North Charleston, SC which is operated locally by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Charleston County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the North Charleston Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center is also the Charleston Co Jail for 1,131 adult male and female inmates. The jail was originally built in 1966 and after three expansions consists of four large buildings. The original building, Tower A includes the Training Division, Training Room, staff weight room and showers, Inmate Library, Environmental/Logistics, eight inmate housing units, and two modular units. The expansion Towers B and C includes administrative offices, conference rooms, a state of the art control center, kitchen, laundry, staff dining, medical department, lobby, visitation area, twenty-one direct supervision units and an Infirmary. The fourth building is our work camp facility which is located on the same campus. The Detention Center is closely monitored by over 700 cameras in the "nerve center" known as Central Control to ensure the safety and security of the facility, staff, and inmates. Perimeter security consists of a single fence with concertina wire, a perimeter alarm system, and security cameras placed in several locations. The facilities main entrance requires contracted employees and visitors to pass through a metal detector and all bags are scanned to ensure no contraband is being brought into the facility. The facility's vehicle sallyport is secured by a hydraulic gate which is operated by Central Control to ensure safety and security.

visitation Info

Charleston County SC – Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center – Visitation

If you wish to visit an inmate, the inmate will first need to tell you the proper time and date that he/she has scheduled the visit for and you must be prepared to present state or government photo identification at the time of visitation. All visitors may be checked for outstanding warrants at check-in. Any visitor found to have outstanding warrants will be placed under arrest. Be aware that an inmate may refuse to see any visitor. Out of state visitors who present an out of state picture I.D. may be granted one unscheduled visit if space is available.

Online / On-site Visitation:

Sunday through Saturday

• 8:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. (Last schedule 10:20 a.m.)
• 1:00 p.m. – 4:25 p.m. (Last schedule 3:55 p.m.)
• 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Last schedule 9:30 p.m.)

Please visit scheduling page to schedule both Online as well as Onsite visits. Visits that are pre-scheduled take priority over walk-in visits.

* Schedule time is subject to change depending on the facility’s operational status.

Rules & Regulations

• Visitors suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be admitted to the facility.
• Visitors must be at least 17 years of age or have consent from an adult to visit. (Consent for Adult Supervision of a Minor)
• Children cannot be left in the lobby unattended.
• Visitors may not give or receive anything from an inmate.
• No personal effects such as purses, cell phones, smoking materials, are allowed in the visitation area.
• All visitors are subject to search before entering the visitation area, refusing to comply with a search request will result in the denial of visitation.
• Members of the Clergy related to an inmate fall under the rules of general visitation.
• Any visitor who exhibits disruptive conduct or behavior may have their visit cancelled at any time.
• Visitors will not enter any areas of the facility except approved routes to and from the visiting area.
• No food and/or beverages will be allowed in the visitation area.

Proper Attire

• Visitors must wear proper attire which conforms to reasonable standards. Halter tops, underwear-type t-shirts, tank tops, fishnet shirts, or any type of shirt or pants made with see-through fabric are not allowed by any visitor (male or female).
• If the Visitation Officer feels that a visitor's clothing is inappropriate, the visit may be denied.
• Visitors must remain fully clothed during the visit.
• Shoes and shirt are mandatory.