Find the Current Record, Then Verify Every Next Step
The official Richland County detainee search is the correct starting point for checking custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Columbia.
This guide helps you avoid wrong-state results, search accurately, understand booking information and verify bond, court, visitation, commissary, mail, phone, property and release details.
Which Official System Should You Use?
Current local custody
Use Richland County Offender Information Public Access.
Court case or hearing
Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search.
Bond payment
Confirm the amount, court, holds and accepted payment with Bond Court.
Visit scheduling
Register through the Richland County ViaPath portal.
Commissary deposit
Use the lobby options or county-linked McDaniel Supply service.
State custody
Use SCDC search after a transfer or state-prison sentence.
Correct jurisdiction: this guide is for Richland County, South Carolina. It does not cover the Richland County jails in Ohio, Montana, North Dakota, Illinois or Wisconsin.
Confirm the State Before Searching
| Search clue | Likely jurisdiction | Correct next step |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin S. Glenn, Columbia or John Mark Dial Drive | Richland County, South Carolina | Use the official search linked in this guide. |
| Mansfield or East Second Street | Richland County, Ohio | Use the Ohio county “Who’s in Jail” system. |
| Sidney, Montana | Richland County, Montana | Use the Montana Sheriff or detention source. |
| Wahpeton, North Dakota | Richland County, North Dakota | Use the North Dakota county jail source. |
| Richland Center, Wisconsin | Richland County, Wisconsin | Use the Wisconsin Sheriff’s jail information. |
| Olney, Illinois | Richland County, Illinois | Use the Illinois Sheriff inmate search. |
Wrong-payment risk: never send bond or commissary money until the person, state, facility and detainee identifier have all been confirmed.
Jump to the Help You Need
Choose the Official Source for Your Task
The detainee search answers a custody question. Court status, bond payment, visitation, account deposits, phone access and public-record requests use separate systems.
Richland County Source Finder
Privacy-safe tool: do not enter a real name, birth date, detainee number, address or case number into this helper. Enter private details only on the official government or provider website.
Check What You Know Before Searching
Select the information you can verify. The more details you have, the safer the search becomes.
How to Search the Richland County Jail Roster
Open the Official Public Access Search
Start with Richland County’s government-operated detainee search rather than a copied mugshot page, sponsored people finder or old social-media post.
Open the official Richland County Offender Information Public Access search.
Search the Legal Name Carefully
Begin with the legal last name and first name. The public search accepts alphabetic characters and spaces.
- Try the legal name exactly as it may appear at booking.
- Remove punctuation from an apostrophe or hyphen when necessary.
- Try a maiden or former surname.
- Check common spelling variations.
- Avoid entering unrelated keywords in the name fields.
Compare More Than the Name
Open the possible match and compare every available identifying, booking, charge, bond, court and custody detail.
Verify the Court and Bond Separately
The detention record is not the complete court docket. Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch and Bond Court for current case and payment information.
Refresh Before Taking Action
Recheck current custody before visiting, paying bond, depositing money, sending mail, funding calls, collecting property or arranging transportation.
Recent arrest delay: a newly arrested person may still be in transport, medical screening, identification review or intake processing and may not appear immediately.
What a Booking Record Can and Cannot Tell You
The exact fields shown can vary by detainee and case. Treat the result as a custody snapshot rather than a complete criminal-history report.
| Field or clue | What it may help confirm | What requires another source |
|---|---|---|
| Name and detainee identifier | The booking identity and account reference. | That a same-name record belongs to the intended person. |
| Booking or admission date | When the current detention entry began. | The complete arrest and court timeline. |
| Charge | An allegation, warrant or custody reason. | The final filed charge, dismissal, plea or conviction. |
| Bond | A recorded bond amount or type. | The current amount, conditions, holds and accepted payment. |
| Court | Which court is associated with a listed matter. | The next hearing and full docket history. |
| Housing unit | Information needed for visits, mail or deposits. | Whether the assignment has changed. |
| Release information | A displayed custody or release-related status. | The actual departure and pickup time. |
Detention is not conviction: a booking, charge, bond or jail record does not prove guilt. Court filings and outcomes can change.
What to Do When Someone Is Not Listed
No-Result Decision Helper
- Search using only the last name.
- Remove punctuation from the name.
- Try a maiden, former or alternate surname.
- Confirm the arrest occurred in Richland County, South Carolina.
- Check South Carolina court records when a case may exist without custody.
- Use SCDC search after a state transfer or sentence.
- Use SC VINE for county, state or supervision information.
- Call 803-576-3200 when immediate confirmation matters.
Use South Carolina Court Records for the Legal Case
The South Carolina Judicial Branch public index includes Richland County Circuit Court records and participating Magistrate or Municipal Court records. Cookies, JavaScript and a pop-up exception may be required to open case details.
Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search, select Richland County and choose the correct court.
Choose the Correct Court Type
| Question | Likely court route | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Felony or higher-court criminal case | General Sessions / Circuit Court | Filed charges may differ from booking language. |
| Lower-level criminal or warrant matter | Magistrate Court | Not every matter appears in General Sessions. |
| City of Columbia charge | Participating Municipal Court record | The city court may control the case. |
| Full statewide criminal-history report | SLED criminal-history service | A county case search is not a statewide background check. |
Case Number Format Help
South Carolina General Sessions case numbers commonly begin with a four-digit year followed by “GS,” a two-digit county code and a five-digit case identifier. Richland County’s county code is 40. Summary Court case numbers use a different format beginning with a year and the letter “A.”
Search shortcut: when a case number is available, use it instead of relying only on a name. Confirm every digit before searching.
Use the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Richland County page for Clerk of Court and courthouse information.
Richland County Courthouse1701 Main Street, Room 205
Columbia, SC 29201
Clerk of Court: 803-576-1950
Confirm Bond With the Court Before Paying
Richland County Bond Court is located inside Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Magistrates conduct bond hearings four times daily to decide how a defendant may be released.
Weekday hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m.
Weekend hours
Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Accepted Bond Court Payment Types
- Cash
- Money order
- Cashier’s check
Payment verification: confirm the current amount, payee, court, additional holds and required identification before travelling or purchasing a cashier’s check.
Review the official Richland County Bond Court page before paying.
Richland County Bond Court201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
Telephone: 803-576-3281
Bond Verification Script
“I am checking the current bond for [full booking name], detainee number [number if known]. Is the online amount current, which court controls it, are other holds involved and what exact payment method is accepted?”
Release Can Take Longer Than Expected
Payment or a release order does not guarantee immediate departure. Court paperwork, another warrant, sentence calculation, transportation, medical processing or agency holds may delay release.
Schedule Richland County Detention Visits Online
All visits must be scheduled through the Richland County ViaPath system. Walk-in scheduling and detainee blue-sheet scheduling are no longer accepted.
Create a Visitor Account
Register with accurate identity and contact information through the official portal.
Select the Correct Detainee
Confirm that the person is still housed at Alvin S. Glenn before selecting a visit.
Choose an Available Visit Type
The portal may offer lobby or video visitation based on current facility availability.
Bring Photo Identification
Arrive early with accepted photo ID and clothing that meets facility requirements.
Housing-Unit Visit Days
| Days | Housing units |
|---|---|
| Monday and Wednesday | Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo and Fox Trot |
| Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday | Golf, Hotel, India and Juliet |
| Friday and Saturday | Kilo, Lima, Mike and Uniform |
| Monday through Friday | Papa, X-Ray and Yankee |
Official wording differs: the county overview says one one-hour visit per week, while the ViaPath portal says one lobby visit and one video visit per week. Use the live portal to see the options actually available for the detainee.
Register through the official Richland County ViaPath visitation portal.
General Facility Visiting Rules
- General visiting hours are listed Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
- Visits may pause during meals, shift changes or lockdowns.
- Only two visitors are allowed at one time, including children.
- Visitors should bring photo identification.
- Arrive early and call ahead when operational availability is uncertain.
- Nothing should be taken into the visitation area unless permitted.
Attorney Visits
Scheduled attorney visiting hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Attorneys can contact the Attorney Visit Planner at 803-576-3396.
Review the official detention-center visitation guidance before travelling.
Deposit Commissary Funds Before Wednesday Noon
Commissary is ordered once each week. Deposits must be completed by noon Wednesday for the detainee to place that week’s order.
| Deposit route | How it works | Before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Lobby kiosk | Accepts cash and credit-card deposits. | Confirm the detainee name and number. |
| Lobby money order | U.S. Postal money orders may be left from 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily. | Include full name, date of birth and detainee number. |
| Online deposit | Use the county-linked McDaniel Supply service. | Review the transaction total and fees. |
| Mailed money order | Mail an eligible U.S. Postal money order to the facility. | Include the detainee name, number and housing unit. |
| Counter payment | Not accepted by staff | Use the kiosk, lobby drop or online route. |
| Personal check | Not accepted | Use a permitted U.S. Postal money order instead. |
Housing Unit, when known
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
After confirming the correct account, use the McDaniel Supply JailPackStore for supported online deposits.
Guidebook Account Details
The official inmate guidebook states that commissary orders are final, account restrictions may prevent purchases or third-party releases, and money deposited into an account with an outstanding facility balance may first be applied to that balance.
The guidebook is an older orientation document. Confirm current spending limits, fees, refunds and account restrictions with the detention center or live deposit system.
Review the official Alvin S. Glenn Inmate Guidebook PDF for detainee-level account procedures.
Use the Detainee’s Full Booking Information
Use the detainee’s full name and number. Add the housing unit when known, and place a complete sender name and return address on the envelope.
Detainee Full Name and NumberHousing Unit, when known
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
Commonly Prohibited Mail Items
- Stamps, envelopes, stationery, blank paper, notebooks or writing tablets
- Stickers, paste, magnets or attached foreign objects
- Cash, personal checks, cashier’s checks or payment cards
- Polaroid photographs
- Photographs larger than 5 by 7 inches
- Oversized greeting cards, boxes or excessive materials
- Laminated items
- Clothing or shoes
- Gang-related, drug-related, nude, semi-nude or obscene images
- Soaked, stained, perfumed or foreign-substance-contaminated items
- Internal housing-unit photographs from Alvin S. Glenn
Books, Magazines and Newspapers
The general county rules say approved books and magazines must come directly from a publisher or bookstore, hardback books are prohibited and newspaper subscriptions must arrive through the mail.
Temporary publication suspension: the official detention database homepage currently states that books, magazines, periodicals and other publications are temporarily suspended until further notice. Confirm that notice before ordering anything.
Legal Mail and Mail Inspection
The inmate guidebook states that incoming mail is inspected for contraband and mail from courts, attorneys or probation/parole officers is opened in the detainee’s presence for inspection.
Review the official Richland County detention mail rules before sending a letter, photograph or money order.
Use ConnectNetwork for Supported Phone Service
ConnectNetwork currently lists AdvancePay Phone service for Richland County SC–Glenn Detention Center.
- Confirm that the detainee remains at Alvin S. Glenn.
- Use the official Richland County facility listing.
- Review current rates before adding funds.
- Check whether your telephone number is blocked.
- Assume non-privileged calls may be recorded and monitored.
- Do not attempt unauthorized three-way or forwarded calls.
Use the official ConnectNetwork facility page for supported AdvancePay services.
What the Official Inmate Guidebook Says
The guidebook states that detainees receive two completed calls during booking, housing-module calls may be recorded and monitored, calls may be automatically limited and attempted three-way calls are prohibited.
Telephone technology and time limits can change. Treat the live ConnectNetwork account and current facility instructions as controlling.
Electronic Messages
The guidebook also describes monitored electronic messages through housing-unit kiosks and prohibits harassing or three-way electronic communication. Verify whether messaging is currently enabled before purchasing any provider product.
Third-Party Property Release Requires Approval
The official inmate guidebook states that property or money may be released to another person only after authorization from the detainee and facility administration. Property releases require approval from the Property Supervisor.
- The detainee must start the authorization process.
- Facility administration must approve the release.
- The Property Supervisor must authorize property pickup.
- The recipient should confirm required identification.
- Confirm the pickup date, time and entrance before driving.
- Ask exactly which property or amount has been approved.
Property Pickup Verification Script
“I am checking an authorized property or money release for [detainee name]. Has the release been approved, am I listed as the recipient, what identification is required and when should I arrive?”
Request Records Not Available in the Live Search
Use Richland County’s Freedom of Information Act process when you need an existing non-exempt record that is not displayed in the public detainee database.
Prepare a Narrow Request
- Full legal name
- Approximate arrest or booking date
- Detainee number, when known
- The specific record requested
- Preferred electronic or paper format
- A request for a fee estimate before extensive work
FOIA Request Wording
“I am requesting the releasable existing record for [full name], booked approximately on [date]. I am specifically requesting [identified record]. Please notify me of applicable fees before processing beyond the standard amount.”
Use the official Richland County Public Records page to open the current FOIA submission system.
Active investigations, security records, medical information, victim information and other exempt material may be withheld or redacted.
Check State, Federal or Supervision Records
South Carolina state prison
SCDC search covers people currently sentenced to and incarcerated in South Carolina Department of Corrections facilities.
SC VINE notifications
SC VINE covers county detention, SCDC and certain community-supervision information and notifications.
Federal custody
Use the Bureau of Prisons locator for federal prison custody and federal release-status information.
Browse the verified County Jail Rosters directory when another county is involved, or return to the US Jail Roster home page to locate another guide.
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Contact
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
Main telephone: 803-576-3200
Bond Court: 803-576-3281
Attorney Visit Planner: 803-576-3396
Office hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Before driving: confirm current custody, appointment status, required identification, office availability and the correct entrance for the service you need.
Use Public Detention Information Responsibly
- Do not treat an arrest, charge or bond as proof of guilt.
- Do not harass, threaten, shame or stalk a listed person.
- Do not publish victim, medical, family or private identifying information.
- Do not rely on an old screenshot as current custody proof.
- Do not make employment, housing, financial or legal decisions from a roster alone.
- Contact a licensed attorney for legal advice.
Richland County Jail Roster FAQs
How do I search the Richland County jail roster?
Use Richland County’s official Offender Information Public Access search for the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Search the legal name and compare all available booking, charge, bond and custody details before relying on a match.
Is the Richland County detainee lookup free?
Yes. The official county detainee search can be opened without paying a people-search or background-check company.
What if someone is not listed?
The person may still be processing, may have been released or transferred, may be listed under another legal spelling or may be in another county, South Carolina state custody or federal custody.
Does a booking record prove guilt?
No. A booking, detention entry, charge or bond record is not a conviction. Use official court records for filed charges and case outcomes.
How do I verify a Richland County bond?
Check the detainee record and contact Richland County Bond Court or the detention center to confirm the current amount, payment method and additional holds before paying.
How do I check a Richland County court case?
Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search, select Richland County and choose the correct Circuit, Magistrate or participating Municipal Court record.
How do I schedule a visit?
Register and schedule through the official Richland County ViaPath visitation portal. Walk-in scheduling is not accepted, and available days depend on the detainee’s housing unit.
How do I deposit commissary money?
Use the lobby kiosk, an eligible U.S. Postal money order or the county-linked McDaniel Supply online service. Deposits must be completed by noon Wednesday for that week’s commissary order.
What are the inmate mail rules?
Use the detainee’s full name, number and housing unit when known. Do not send cash, personal checks, stamps, blank stationery, stickers, Polaroids, oversized items or prohibited images. Confirm the current publication suspension before ordering books or magazines.
Where is Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
The detention center is located at 201 John Mark Dial Drive, Columbia, South Carolina 29209. The listed main telephone number is 803-576-3200.
Final Verification Checklist
- You confirmed Richland County, South Carolina.
- The official detainee search was refreshed.
- The person matches more than the name.
- The court record was checked separately.
- The current bond and additional holds were confirmed.
- The visit was scheduled through the live ViaPath portal.
- Commissary funds were deposited before the weekly cutoff.
- The publication-suspension notice was checked.
- The correct detainee number and housing unit were used.
- Release was confirmed before arranging pickup.
- No detention record is being treated as proof of guilt.
Independent guide: Jail-Roster.org does not operate the detention center, detainee database, court, visitation portal, commissary service or telephone provider. Live official information controls whenever details differ.