Body Scanner information can be found after Approved Visitor List information on this page.

We know that keeping our youth connected to their families and creating a network of support inside and out of our facilities is vital to their overall rehabilitative progress. 

Guidelines

MEDC

• Visitors must be on the youth’s approved visitation list.
• In-person visits are offered on Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
• Visits may be up to 1.15 hours per visit.
• Visits are limited to two approved visitors per visitation date.
• Visitation appointments must be submitted online by 3 p.m. on the Friday before the scheduled visitation date.

JDC, CEDC, and UEDC

• Visitors must be on the youth’s approved visitation list.
• In-Person visits are offered on Wednesdays.
• Visits may be up to 1 hour per visit.
• Visits are limited to one approved visitor per visitation date.
• Visitation appointments must be submitted online by 3 p.m. on the Tuesday before the scheduled visitation date.

To request a visit:

1. Complete the visitation form below.
2. Once a visitor request form is submitted you will receive an email confirming that your request has been received.
3. The visitation request will be reviewed for approval or denial.
4. Once the visitation request has been approved or denied, you will receive a final email notification to detail the status of your submitted request.

VISITATION GUIDELINES (Memo)

Visitation Guidelines

If you have any questions about requesting a visit, you may contact the Visitation Coordinator at 803-896-8439.

Visitation Request

If you would like to visit a youth, you must complete a visitation request form.

To request a visit:

1. Go to https://djj.sc.gov/visitation and complete the visitation request form.

2. Once a visitor request form is submitted you will receive an email confirming that your request has been received.

3. The visitation request will be reviewed for approval or denial.

4. Once the visitation request has been approved or denied, you will receive a final email notification to detail the status of your submitted request.

If you have any questions about requesting a visit, you may contact the Visitation Coordinator at 803-896-8439.

Approved Visitor List and Identification Card

• All visitors, regardless of age, must be listed on juvenile's approved visitor’s list.
• No family member or other person will be allowed entrance into the facility that has been prohibited or suspended from visiting.
• Visitors 13 years of age or older must have a picture identification card and be listed on the child’s approved visiting list. Acceptable identification cards include:
  • Driver’s license
  • State-government-issued identification card
  • Military identification card
  • Student identification card
  • S.C. Bar card
  • SCDJJ volunteer card
  • Passport (up to date)

Upon Arrival

• Show identification card 
• You must check in upon arrival to the facility.
• Bags, purses, and cell phones must be locked in your vehicle. They will not be allowed into the facility.
• You will turn in your personal vehicle keys at the facility admission area upon check in.
• You will be required to empty the contents of your pockets for inspection.
• You will be required to undergo a full body scan using the Intercept Tek84 scanner or wand. 

If you have a life-saving medication, you can bring it into the facility. It must be declared at check in, be in its original prescribed package with your name on it and be in a clear plastic bag with a zip-top closure.

Please note that weapons, even legal and licensed weapons, are not allowed on SCDJJ property. If you have legal weapons, you will be instructed to park off-property.

Body Scanners

All visitors must go through a body scanner to be admitted to the Upstate Evaluation and Development Center and the Coastal Evaluation and Development Center. Body scanners will be introduced on a staggered schedule at other secure facilities in the future. Body scanners help keep everyone safe and keep contraband out of the facility. 

SCDJJ uses the Tek84 Intercept scanner, which is used by many detention centers and secure facilities. It is considered safe because it uses an extremely low dose of X‑ray radiation, far below what you’d get from a standard medical X‑ray. Facilities that use it must also follow strict state and federal radiation‑safety rules, which adds another layer of protection. 

The Tek84 Intercept works by taking a quick, full‑body scan using a very low dose of X‑ray to spot any items hidden under clothing and within the body. It creates an outline image that helps staff see things that shouldn’t be brought inside. Scanned images appear similar to medical exams yet only require about 1% of the x‐ray level. Each scan lasts less than 4 seconds.

All visitors over the age of 10 must be scanned. If you have a medical condition, such as pregnancy, that prevents you from being scanned, you must speak directly with the Facility Administrator for guidance. 

Refer to the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.

Contraband

All visitors need will abide by the South Carolina Contraband Law as follows: South Carolina Code of Laws Section 63-19-1670 provides that: it shall be unlawful for any persons to furnish or attempt to furnish any juvenile under the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice with any matter declared to be contraband. It shall be unlawful for any juvenile under the jurisdiction of SCDJJ to possess any item declared to be contraband. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars or imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, or both.

It is unlawful for any person to furnish or attempt to furnish any juvenile under the jurisdiction of SCDJJ with any of the below items.

• Weapons and any devices that may be used as a weapon, including but not limited to firearms, knives, blades of any and all descriptions, clubs, billies, or any other articles that may be used for offense or defense.
• Illegal drugs and medicines that have not been prescribed by a physician.
• Drug paraphernalia.
• Any and all types of alcohol and any liquids containing any concentration of intoxicating alcohol.
• Poisons or other chemicals.
• Flammable liquids of any type including, but not limited to gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluids.
• Locks and keys.
• Tools of any kind, including pocketknives.
• Money or any money instrument, including checks, money orders, credit cards, and telephone cards.
• Writing markers, ink pens and materials other than a black lead pencil.
• Medicine, syringes, and needles.
• Tobacco products and materials.
• Matches, lighters, or any type of igniting devices.
• Electronic devices, computer materials, videocassettes, televisions, or any other technological communication equipment.
• Any type of devices with audio/video recording capability, cameras (video and still) or any equipment capable of photographing.
• SCDJJ computer printouts, carbon paper, and other confidential office materials.
• Pornographic materials.
• Any toxic, caustic, or flammable material.
• Gang-related materials.
• Tattooing devices, inks, toners, markers, or any other material used for tattooing.