Mail & Packages in South Carolina (SCDC)

Mail in South Carolina is divided into personal correspondence, legal mail, publications (books and magazines), and packages. Each is handled differently, and the rules are set by SCDC and applied at the institution where the person is housed. Confirm the person’s current institution and the current rules before sending anything.

How to address personal mail

Incoming personal mail is delivered to the institution where the person is held — South Carolina does not route personal mail through an off-site scanning vendor. Mail is opened and inspected at the institution before delivery.

Address an envelope with the person’s:

• Full committed name (the name on the SCDC record, not a nickname)
• SCDC number
• Living unit (housing unit or dormitory, if known)
• The institution’s mailing address

Mail without the correct SCDC number can be delayed or returned. The institution’s mailing address is listed on the SCDC institution pages.

What is not allowed

Items that may not be enclosed in personal mail include:

• Cash of any kind
• Postage stamps
• Writing materials (paper, envelopes, blank stationery)

Other restrictions apply to the contents of letters and to enclosed photos. Mail that violates SCDC rules can be rejected. Money for the person’s account is sent through the SCDC vendor, not by mail — see Sending Money in South Carolina.

Legal mail

Legal mail — correspondence from a court, an attorney, or another legal entity that is properly marked as legal mail — is handled separately from ordinary correspondence. Legal mail is opened in the incarcerated person’s presence and inspected for contraband rather than read. Confirm the institution’s current requirements for how legal mail must be labeled.

Publications (books and magazines)

Since October 1, 2025, publications (books and magazines) are accepted only when shipped directly from an SCDC-approved vendor. Books ordered from Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million must be purchased online; books purchased in a store and mailed in are rejected, even if shipped directly to the person. Publications sent from individuals or from non-approved sources are not delivered. The current list of approved vendors is published on the SCDC Family page.

Packages

Personal packages are not sent through the mail. They are ordered through Access Securepak, the SCDC package vendor, at SouthCarolinaPackages.com. The program runs on a quarterly schedule, with order windows announced for each period and limits on the dollar amount and quantity of items. Orders may be placed online at SouthCarolinaPackages.com, by phone (1-800-546-6283), or by mail to Access Securepak. Confirm the current order window, item list, and limits before ordering.

Verify Before Acting

For the general, nationwide overview of this topic, see the national guide: Staying in Touch.