Detention Center

Overview

The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is an essential part of the criminal justice system in Richland County. The detention center is committed to providing its users and residents of Richland County with quality and efficient service.

A Key Part of Our Community’s Safety

The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is where people are held after being arrested in Richland County. Some are waiting for their court date, while others are serving time after being sentenced. We work hard to keep our staff, inmates, and the public safe, and we treat everyone in our care with respect.

Our team follows the law and makes sure people in custody have access to basic needs, medical care, and a clean, secure environment. We also work closely with local law enforcement, attorneys, and the courts to support the entire justice system.

Who We Serve

We house adults who are:

Waiting for a trial or court date (unsentenced)
Serving time after being sentenced (sentenced)

People here may be in minimum, medium, or maximum security areas, depending on their individual situation. Everyone has access to the same quality of care, no matter where they are in the process.

Detainee Public Information

More Than a Jail

We’re just one part of the bigger criminal justice system. What happens with the courts, law enforcement, and community programs all affects how many people are in the detention center.

Richland County supports options besides jail when it’s safe and appropriate: community service or electronic monitoring, especially for low-risk individuals. These alternatives can reduce overcrowding and help people stay connected to their jobs, families, and support networks.

Visit Someone in Custody

If you have a loved one at Alvin S. Glenn, here’s what you need to know about visiting:

Visiting hours* are Monday through Friday, from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

*We pause visits during meals, shift changes, or lockdowns.

Each person in custody can choose one one-hour visit per week.
Only two visitors are allowed at a time. This includes children, so if you bring a child, they count as one of the two.
Bring a photo ID to check in.
Dress appropriately—our staff will let you know if your outfit doesn’t meet the dress code.
Attorneys can meet privately with their clients in special rooms.

We suggest arriving early and calling ahead to make sure visitation is available when you arrive.

Register and Schedule Visits

Online Visitation

Add Money to a Detainee's Account

Commissary is ordered once per week.

Deposits must be made by noon on Wednesdays in order for an detainee to order commissary for that week.

When completing the money order, please include the detainee's full and complete name, date of birth, and detainee number.

Money for deposit to an inmate's account may be left in the form of a U.S. Postal money order in the front lobby of the facility from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.
A commissary kiosk is also located in the front lobby and is available for cash and credit card deposits.
No personal checks are accepted for deposit to an inmate's account.
Staff does not accept any form of payment at the counter.
Internet account deposits can be made securely by visiting McDaniel Supply Company.
U.S. Postal money orders may be mailed to the Detention Center:

Detainee Name, Number, Housing Unit
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
201 John Mark Dial Drive
Columbia, SC 29209

Follow the Mail Rules for Detainees

No stamps, envelopes, note pads, stationery, note books writing tablets, journals or paper allowed.
No stickers and/or paste allowed on letters or envelopes.
No magnets or foreign objects allowed.
US postal money orders only; no cash, checks or cashier’s checks.
All pictures must be 5x7 or smaller; no Polaroid pictures allowed.
No excessively large items, i.e. greeting cards, boxes, etc.
No pasting allowed.
No excessive amount of materials allowed, i.e. pictures, letters and/or documents/paperwork (Legal material and/or documents excluded).
No laminated items allowed.
No credit/debit cards allowed.
No clothing items or shoes allowed.
No pictures showing/displaying gang signs, alcohol, flashing cash or blacked out pictures allowed.
No internal/dorm pictures of Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center allowed.
All books and/or magazines must be sent directly from a publisher or bookstore.
No hardback books allowed.
No drug type magazines allowed, i.e. marijuana/weed etc.
No nude and/or semi-nude pictures allowed.
No obscene, and/or inappropriate picture allowed.
No revealing negligee pictures allowed.
No soaked, stained or items containing any type foreign substance allowed.
All newspaper subscriptions must be sent through the mail.
No inmate carrier newspaper delivery allowed.
Inmates will not receive newspapers sent by newspaper carriers to the lobby or left out front.