Walden Correctional Institution

Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution is a level 1 prison for male inmates located in Columbia, South Carolina. The facility is a merger of the Walden Camp, which opened in 1950, and the Stevenson Camp, which opened in 1938. The facility houses a total of 694 inmates.

Walden is a level 1-A facility, a community-based pre-release/work center that houses minimum-security non-violent inmates who are within 36 months of release. It is work and program oriented, providing intensive specialized programs that prepare the inmates for release to the community. Housing is mainly double bunk, open-bay wards with unfenced perimeters.

Stevenson is a level 1-B facility, a minimum-security facility that houses inmates with relatively short sentences or time to serve. Housing is mainly double bunk cubicles with unfenced perimeters. Operational procedures at Level 1-B facilities impart a higher level of security compared to level 1-A facilities.

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Walden Correctional Institution

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Visiting Hours and Rules

Please call Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution directly for information about the visiting schedule. You can also call the SCDC Visitation Inquiry Line at 803-896-1838.

Press 1 — for questions about the visitation application process.

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

To get up-to-date information about visitation at South Carolina correctional facilities, follow the SCDC Twitter account at https://twitter.com/SCDCNews. Family and friends can also call 803-896-8500 if they need more information or if they have questions about inmate communication and visitation.

Visiting Applications

The only way you can get a visiting application is from your inmate. They must mail it to you, and you must fill it out completely before sending it for approval.

If you are not on your inmate's approved visiting list, you will not be allowed to visit.  The SCDC will not add you to your inmate's visiting list until the application has been completed, submitted, and approved. Once the process is complete, your inmate will notify you and provide you with information about the visitation schedule. 

Dress Code

The following dress code requirements for visitors are strictly enforced. You will be denied admission to the visiting room if these rules are not followed.

  • 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.

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.

Items you can bring to a visit

The visiting room at Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution has cashless vending machines that require Paykey devices. You can purchase this device at the entrance to the facility. They 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

Visitors with infants may bring five diapers, three baby bottles (or two sipper cups for toddlers, must be clear), three jars of sealed baby food in a clear plastic bag, and baby wipes/towelettes in a clear plastic bag. Infant/Baby carriers are allowed but are subject to search.

Physical Address

Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution
4340 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/eUU1rHMPYzUkWLSFA

General Phone Number

Walden: (803) 896-8580
Stevenson: (803) 896-8575

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate Name/DOC Number
Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution
4340 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210

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

All books, magazines, and newspapers, must be sent directly from the publisher or from a publication supplier (like Amazon). They must also be paid for in advance.

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

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

Email

You can email your inmate at Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution using GTL. Visit www.ConnectNetwork.com for more information. You must have an email address and a Visa or MasterCard credit, debit or prepaid card to create an account.

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution, can't receive incoming calls. But they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in South Carolina, please click here.

How to Send Money

The SCDC uses GTL for money services, and they have different options for you to send money to your inmate at Walden/Stevenson 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 or Mobile App

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. You can also download the mobile app to send money from anywhere. 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, first visit ConnectNetwork.com or use the free ConnectNetwork mobile app.Set up the cash payment by selecting “Walk-In Retail (Pay in Cash)”. 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 Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution. It will be returned.

Deposit slip (en Español).

Programs For Inmates

Education: GED preparation, Literacy, Basic Education and Life skills.

Vocational Training: Small engine repair and Carpentry and Brick Masonry.

Health Care: Routine medical and dental care provided on Broad River Complex with 24-hour emergency care available.

Programs: Religious services, recreational services, volunteer services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Project "Going Home", Fathers and Sons, Operation Get Smart, Individual and Group Counseling, Anger Management, and Grief and Loss.

Community Services: Provides an inmate labor crew to SCDC Canteen/Commissary/Food Service/ and Prison Industry Warehouses, SCDC Facilities Management, SCDC Frame Shop, SCDC Vehicle Maintenance and Car Wash, SCDC Training Academy Cafeteria, Inmate Records, Division of Security, SCDC Print Shop, National Guard McCrady Training Center, SCDC Bus Depot, SC Governor's Mansion, SC Statehouse, Litter Details, Walden Farm Operations, SC Criminal Justice Academy, SLED, SC Department of Juvenile Justice, and SCDC Transportation Management.

Reentry Services: The Division of Programs, Reentry and Rehabilitative Services provides numerous opportunities to assist inmates to prepare for reentry to society. Inmates can learn new job skills, obtain their GED, earn vocational certificates, receive substance abuse treatment, learn about how crimes affect victims and even assist in teaching youths about life in prison.

Pictures of Walden Correctional Institution

Careers at Walden Correctional Institution

To find out more information about a career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections and available jobs at Walden/Stevenson Correctional Institution, click here.

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