Edgefield County Detention Center

RULES FOR VISITORS

Dear Prospective Visitor:

The Edgefield County Detention Center is committed to encourage relationships between inmates, their family members, and their friends. We strongly feel that visitation is an important part of each inmate’s rehabilitation. At the same time, The Detention Center must provide for the safety and security of each inmate and staff member and most importantly, the safety of other visitors, the public and you.

This webpage has been developed to familiarize you with the rules and regulations that must be followed both prior to and during each visit with your family member or friend. We trust that this information will be useful to you.

1. How do I arrange for visiting privileges?

It is the inmates responsibility to fill out a visitation form weekly, once the inmate has chosen a time slot for the appropriate visitation day it is that inmates responsibility to notify his/her family/friends who is on the list and what time they can come for visitation.
There will only be slots for four visitors per inmate.
To arrange visitation for any day other than the already scheduled day you as the visitor will have to call 803-637-5337 at least two days prior to the day you want to visit and speak with the Corporal on duty. Be prepared to give an explanation as to why you can’t visit on your family members scheduled day, name of persons wanting to have a special visit, and the day and time to which you would like to visit. (Note: You may be asked to provide a copy of your work/school schedule that conflicts with the scheduled visitation.)
Special visitation will occur between the hours of 1:00p.m. through 4:00p.m.
Exceptions will include attorneys and ministers.

2. When and how often can I visit?

Normal visiting days will be Monday through Friday - 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
The following schedule will apply:

Monday-Inmates with the last name beginning with A B D and E.

Tuesday-Inmates with the last name beginning with C F G H and I.

Wednesday- Inmates with the last name beginning with J K L M and N.

Thursday- Inmates with the last name beginning with O P Q R and S.

Friday- Inmates with the last name beginning with T U V W X Y and Z.

Each inmate will be allowed a minimum of one hour each week. The maximum length maybe flexible, based upon the number of visitors within the facility.

3. Can children visit?

Yes, children can visit, however all children under the age of fifteen must be accompanied by an adult.
Visitors will be required to keep accompanying children as orderly as possible during their visit so that other inmates and visitors will not be disturbed. In the event that a visitor(s) is unable to control his/her children, the guardian of the children will be asked to take the child/children outside until such time as they gain control of the child/children. However if the visitor cannot gain control over the child the visit will be terminated and the visitor(s) and children will be required to leave the facility.

Note: This is to include but not limited to crying children, children running in the halls, children climbing on benches etc.

4. What is the dress code for visiting?

The following requirements for visitors apply to all visitors and will be strictly enforced: (Should any Officer or ECDC employee have any doubt as to whether a visitor is appropriately dressed, he/she will contact the Corporal on duty who will come to the entrance area and make the final decision.) Should a decision be made that a visitor is inappropriately dressed, the visitor will be denied visitation and required to leave.
Shirts and shoes are mandatory.
Clothing that exposes an undue amount of flesh (e.g., exposing the chest, back, thighs, or midsections) is prohibited. Halter tops, underwear-type tee-shirts, tank tops, fish net shirts, or any type shirt or pants made with see-through fabric are NOT allowed to be worn by any visitor (male or female). Sleeveless shirts WILL NOT be allowed.
Visitors may wear Walking or Bermuda style shorts provided they are not more than three (3”) inches above the top of the kneecap in length.
Visitors may wear any type denim, khaki or dress pant.
Women and girls may wear dresses or skirts. However,no sleeveless dresses will be allowed. If a dress or skirt is considered too short or if there is a slit (no higher than three (3”) inches above the top of the knee), or is considered otherwise inappropriate by an officer, the officer will be required to contact the Corporal on duty who will respond to the entrance area for a decision as to whether the visitor will be allowed to visit or not. The decision of the Corporal is final.
Clothing designed or intended to be tightly worn, to excessively accent the body, e.g., spandex, tights, leggings, tank tops, etc., is prohibited.

5. What items can I bring into the Detention Center?

Small wallet or change purse No Pocketbooks or Backpacks
Cash No cash will be given to inmate by visitor

All cash must go through jail staff to be entered into inmate’s personal account.

Keys
Photographic Identification Card
Baby/Infant Supplies No more than 2 diapers, 1 bottle or sipper cup for toddlers, baby wipes that are in a clear plastic container, All Infant/baby carriers are subject to search.

Note: Beepers/pagers and cell phones are not allowed into the visitation area unless they are required due to medical/professional reasons.

6. What items can I bring for my loved one or friend?

Inmates may receive cash or money orders to be placed in their commissary account.
Inmates may receive 2 soft back novels and 1 soft back Bible.
Inmates four (4) pairs of socks and four (4) pairs of underwear

Ladies can have four (4) bras.

Note: Inmates cannot receive any type of newspaper or magazines.

7. What are the rules for visiting?

Except as otherwise noted, visitors are prohibited from engaging in the following in the following activities. Any violation of the following rules of conduct may result in the immediate termination of a visit or further visitation suspension.

· Loitering

· Taking any article whatsoever from the grounds of the facility (e.g., gifts from inmates or inmate’s personal property) without prior approval through the detention center staff. Exceptions being attorneys, paralegals, clergy, or teachers who require paperwork to be submitted to them by the inmate.

· Photographing inmates, building, fenced areas

· Loud playing of vehicle radios while at the Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center

· Visitor’s actions/inactions which are a security risk or health risk to others, e.g., leaving children in vehicle, leaving keys in vehicle, etc.; Under no circumstances will visitors be authorized to leave any child unattended in any vehicle on the Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center property while visiting.

· Under no circumstances will visitors be authorized to leave any pet/animal unattended in any vehicle on Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center property while visiting nor bring any pet/animal into the facility unless the animal is necessary to enable a person to physically maneuver (e.g. “seeing eye” dog).

· Yelling at inmates or engaging in loud, boisterous behavior during visiting or while on Sheriff’s Office/Detention Center property; or

· Passing any item to inmates or accepting items from any inmate.

· Any visitor bringing any items not listed above into the facility, if the item is not considered contraband/illegal, will be advised that they will not be able to visit that day.

· Visitors will not be allowed to visit with any inmate other that the inmate to which has them listed on their visitation form. Visitors will not be allowed to switch from window to window visiting with everyone. The Corporal on duty may make exceptions in those cases of immediate family members incarcerated at the same time.

8. Will my visiting privileges be suspended if I break the rules?

The Lieutenant, Corporal, or an approved designee has the authority to terminate a visit while the visit is in progress if the inmate violates any established rules and regulations or if the inmate’s visitor(s) does not comply with the rules and regulations governing inmate visitors. Prior to termination of the visit, less severe alternatives may be attempted, if appropriate. This may include verbal warnings to the inmate and/or visitor(s) of improper conduct which, if not discontinued, will result in the visit being terminated and may result in the visitor’s and the inmate’s visiting privileges being suspended.
In addition, for serious violations of the rules, the Detention Center may suspend your visiting privileges indefinitely or permanently, depending on the severity of the rules violation. During this suspension you will not be allowed to visit any inmate in the Edgefield County Detention Center. Because of the facility’s need to maintain security and order of our institution, we highly recommend that you carefully follow our rules and regulations so that you can continue to visit your loved ones and friends.

9. Can visitation be suspended for any reason other than a violation of the rules?

· Yes, visitation can be suspended at any time if the Detention Center’s safety and security is deemed at risk.

10. Who can I call if I have additional questions?

If you have additional questions about the inmate’s visiting days or times or the Detention Center, you should call the Edgefield County Detention Center at 803-637-4125 or 803-637-4124. Any of our Detention Center staff can assist you with your questions and concerns, however, if you don’t feel your questions or request have been answered or handled satisfactorily please contact Lt Polly Hall or Lt Karen Jaggers at 803-637-5337.