Ridgeland Correctional Institution

When you are approved for visits, your inmate will provide you with information about his visitation schedule. You can also call Ridgeland Correctional Institution directly for information about the visiting schedule. You also have the option of calling the SCDC Visitation Inquiry Line at 803-896-1838.

Press 1 — for questions regarding the visitation application process.

Press 2 — for up-to-date information about prisons that presently have canceled visitation because of security concerns, including COVID-19.

To get up-to-date information about visiting, you can follow the SCDC Twitter account at https://twitter.com/SCDCNews.

Visiting Applications

The only way to receive a visiting application is through your inmate. They must mail it to you, then you fill it out and send it back to the address provided. You must be approved before you are allowed to visit.  

The SCDC will add you to your inmates visiting list once the application has been completed, submitted, and approved. It is the inmate's responsibility to let you know when you've been approved.

The number of visits that an inmate may receive each month is based on their security and custody level and may be further restricted by programming or by the inmate's behavior. 

Each inmate in the S. C. Department of Corrections is allowed to have a maximum of fifteen approved visitors on his/her visiting list.

Visiting Rules

You can not bring electronic devices – including activity fitness trackers and smart watches – into the visiting room. Everyone age 18 and older must submit to a pat/frisk search in addition to the existing search procedures. 

Dress Code

The following dress code requirements for visitors are strictly enforced. If an officer decides that you are inappropriately dressed, you will be denied admission to the visiting room.

• Shirts and shoes are mandatory.
• Clothing that exposes chest, back, thighs, or midsections is prohibited. 
• Halter tops, underwear-type tee-shirts, tank tops, fishnet shirts, or any type of shirt or pants made with see-through fabric are NOT allowed to be worn by any visitor (male or female). Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.
• Visitors may wear Bermuda-length shorts provided they are not more than three inches above the top of the knee.
• At institutions where they use khaki inmate uniforms, all visitors may wear blue jeans/shorts, khaki pants/shorts, or other color denim jeans/shorts.
• Women and girls may wear dresses or skirts. However, no sleeveless dresses will be allowed. A dress or skirt is considered too short if it hits higher than three inches above the top of the knee.
• Any shirt or other article of clothing with a picture or language that may be considered profane or offensive by current public and/or SCDC standards will not be allowed.
• Clothing designed or intended to be tightly worn, to excessively accent the body, e.g., spandex, tights, leggings, tank tops, etc., is prohibited.
• Hair pieces and any hair accessories are subject to search.
• No jewelry except a wedding ring, one (1) pair of earrings, one (1) religious medallion on a necklace or chain, one (1) wristwatch, and a medical alert bracelet.

Items you can bring to a visit

The visiting room at Ridgeland Correctional Institution features cashless vending machines that require Paykey devices. These are electronic recording tools the size of a keychain to load cash onto. These devices can be purchased at the entrance and can hold up to $50. 

You may bring the following items into the visiting room:

• One clear plastic small wallet or change purse
• One set of keys (Must not contain any items that may cause a security threat.)
• One photo ID
• Life-saving medication

If you are bringing an infant, you may bring no more than five diapers, three baby bottles (or two sipper cups for toddlers, must be clear), and three jars of sealed baby food in a clear plastic bag. 

Baby wipes/towelettes may be brought in by visitors in a clear plastic bag. Infant/Baby carriers will be allowed but are subject to search prior to entry into the institution.

Your inmate correspondence can include letters, five pages of newspaper clippings or internet printouts, and up to 10 photos per envelope. Do not send your inmate cash, stamps, or any writing materials. You are not allowed to send anything to eat, drink, or smoke. 

You can send books, magazines, and newspapers, but they must be paid for in advance and sent directly from the publisher or from a publication supplier (like Amazon).

SCDC sponsors four Inmate Package Programs every year. You can order various package combinations from Access Securepak for shipment to Ridgeland CI. The packages contain a wide variety of snacks, candy, and seafood.

Visit http://www.southcarolinapackages.com to place your orders.

Email

You can't call inmates at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, but they do have access to phones. For complete details on how to call an inmate in South Carolina, please click here.

The SCDC uses GTL for money services, and they have five different ways for you to send money to your inmate at Ridgeland Correctional Institution. 

The money you send (minus fees) is deposited directly into your inmate's Cooper Trust Fund Account. They use the money to purchase canteen items, phone time, stamps, etc…

Online

To send money online with a credit or debit card, click here. When creating your account, choose South Carolina Dept. of Corrections as the facility.

Mobile App

Download the mobile app and send money wherever you happen to be! You can download the free app for Android devices here and for iPhone and iPad here.

Phone

Call (888) 988-4768 and follow the prompts. For trust (canteen) deposits, the Site ID number is 121. To speak with a live agent 24/7, call customer service at (877) 650-4249.

Walk-In

Cash deposits to ConnectNetwork are now available at 26,000 retail locations nationwide including Walmart, ACE, Kmart, Kroger, and more. Find a location.

To use this walk-in retail – pay in cash option:

Step 1: Visit ConnectNetwork.com or with the free ConnectNetwork mobile app.
Step 2: Set up the cash payment by selecting “Walk-In Retail (Pay in Cash)”.
Step 3: Bring cash and the PaySlip to your local store.

Mail-in Money Order

All money orders must be made payable to GTL and sent with a deposit slip to:

GTL Financial Services
10005 Technology Blvd West
Suite 130
Dallas TX 75220

Do not mail the money order directly to Ridgeland Correctional Institution. It will be returned.

If you are interested in a career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections, you can find out more information about available jobs at Ridgeland Correctional Institution by clicking here.