SCDJJ operates five secure facilities, as well as a variety of alternative placement locations.

The facility a youth is housed in depends on where they are in the juvenile justice process and how serious their alleged crimes are. 

• The Coastal Evaluation and Development Center (CEDC) serves female youth statewide for both evaluation and commitment.

• The Juvenile Detention Complex is pre-trial detention facility, serving juveniles from most of South Carolina's 46 counties (Charleston and Greenville operate their own long-term and short-term detention facilities). The complex provides custodial care and acute treatment to male and female juveniles ages 11 and older who are detained by law enforcement agencies for alleged offenses committed prior to their 18th birthday. 

• The Midlands Evaluation and Development Center (MEDC) houses male youth with long-term commitments (longer than 180 days) as well as those undergoing secure evaluations from the Midlands, Low Country, and Pee Dee regions.

• The Upstate Evaluation and Development Center (UEDC) serves male youth from the Upstate, Low County and Pee Dee regions for secure evaluations and males with short-term commitments (180 days or less).

• Greenville Youth Services serves youth from the 13th Judicial Circuit, allowing them to remain closer to home during pre-trial detention. The center has a maximum capacity of 40 youth. Youth from the 13th Judicial Circuit are given priority for placement; however, if space allows, the facility may also serve youth from other Upstate jurisdictions. 

Alternative Placements are for youth on transfer, probation or parole.