Columbia Released Inmates
Columbia released inmate records come from several official sources. As South Carolina's state capital, Columbia sits in Richland County and has its own police department separate from the county sheriff. People looking for released inmate information can search the SCDC Released Inmate List, the Richland County Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center inmate lookup, or the SLED CATCH portal for criminal history records. This page explains where to find Columbia released inmate records and how each search tool works.
Columbia Quick Facts
Columbia Released Inmate List from SCDC
The South Carolina Department of Corrections maintains the official released inmate list for all state prison releases. Columbia released inmates who served time in state prison appear in this database. You can search by release date range and filter by Richland County to focus on Columbia area releases. Results show inmate name, SCDC number, release date, and county of commitment. The database covers inmates discharged from SCDC custody statewide.
The SCDC website at public.doc.state.sc.us/released-inmate-list is the starting point for any state-level search. Results load ten at a time. You can also filter for sex offenders in your results using the checkbox on the search page. Keep in mind this list shows state prison releases only. County jail releases from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center come from a separate system run by Richland County.
The SCDC main website at doc.sc.gov provides access to the released inmate list, current inmate search, and release date calculation tools. The current inmate search and the released inmate list are two different systems. One shows people still inside SCDC. The other shows those who have been released.
The official SCDC released inmate search is shown below. Visit the source at public.doc.state.sc.us to run a search for Columbia released inmates filtered by Richland County.
The SCDC released inmate search lets you filter by county. Select Richland to find Columbia area releases.
Columbia Police Department Released Inmate Records
The Columbia Police Department handles arrests within the city limits. The Records Division can be reached at (803) 545-3562. Police reports and arrest records are available through the Records Division. Columbia arrests are typically processed and housed at the Richland County Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. When someone is released from that facility, the release is processed through Richland County's system.
The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is located at 201 John Mark Dial Drive, Columbia, SC 29209. The phone number is 803-576-3200. The facility offers a public detainee lookup system. You can search by last name, first name, date of birth, or SPN number. The system displays photographs and basic booking information. It covers both unsentenced individuals awaiting trial and sentenced inmates. Visit richlandcountysc.gov to access the Richland County Detention Center page.
The Richland County government portal at richlandcountysc.gov provides access to public records request procedures and department contact information. Richland County is the second most populous county in South Carolina with over 415,000 residents. Multiple municipal police departments operate in the county, including Columbia PD, Forest Acres PD, and Irmo PD. The sheriff's department handles unincorporated areas.
The image below shows the Richland County Detention Center page, which is where Columbia released inmate records are processed at the county level.
The SCDC main website links to all inmate search tools including the released inmate list used by Columbia residents.
Columbia Released Inmate Criminal History via SLED
SLED serves as South Carolina's central repository for criminal history information. For Columbia residents and businesses checking criminal backgrounds, the SLED CATCH portal is the official online system. CATCH stands for Citizens Access To Criminal Histories. The standard fee is $25 per search subject, plus a $1 convenience fee online. The search requires an exact match on last name, first initial, and date of birth. You can also include a Social Security Number to help narrow results.
The CATCH system at catch.sled.sc.gov displays conviction data, arrest information from the past three years, and pending charges. It does not include juvenile records, expunged cases, or certain restricted information. Results are available for immediate viewing and printing after payment. A mail-in option exists using the SLED Criminal Records Check Form. SLED headquarters is located at 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210. The main phone is (803) 737-9000. The Public Dissemination Unit at (803) 896-1443 answers questions about background check results.
The SLED main website at sled.sc.gov also links to the Sex Offender Registry, wanted persons database, and other law enforcement services. All Richland County and Columbia arrests are reported to SLED within 72 hours, so CATCH searches will reflect Columbia area criminal history.
The SLED CATCH portal is the official online source for Columbia criminal history background checks.
VINELink Victim Notification for Columbia
VINELink is the national victim notification network. It covers South Carolina Department of Corrections releases as well as many county jails. The service is free and confidential. Victims and concerned citizens can register to receive alerts when an offender's status changes. Alerts cover release, transfer, escape, or death. Notifications come via phone, email, text message, or TTY.
Visit vinelink.com to register for notifications about Columbia released inmates. The service runs 24 hours a day. The offender cannot know who has registered for notifications. Columbia residents who want to track when a specific person is released from SCDC or from the Richland County Detention Center can use VINELink to stay informed without having to check manually.
VINELink provides free release notifications for Columbia area inmates held in SCDC facilities and many county jails.
Probation and Parole Records in Columbia
Many Columbia released inmates are supervised by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS). The main office is located at 2221 Devine Street, Ste. 600, Columbia, SC 29250. The phone number is 803-734-9220. After-hours emergencies can be reported to 800-263-7191.
SCDPPPS maintains an online offender search database at dppps.sc.gov. You can search by last name, first name, state ID (SID), or birth year to find individuals currently under supervision in the Columbia area. The site also provides information on parole and pardon hearings. Hearings are open to both victims and supporters of offenders. Hearing schedules are finalized approximately 30 days before the actual date. Automated pardon records are available for hearings conducted after July 7, 2021.
The SCDPPPS mission is to prepare offenders under supervision toward becoming productive members of the community, provide assistance to victims and the courts, and protect public trust and safety. For Columbia residents on probation or parole, the Columbia area office handles supervision and reporting requirements. Fee payment for probation fees and restitution can also be done online through the SCDPPPS portal.
SCDPPPS supervises many Columbia released inmates on probation or parole through the Columbia area office.
Columbia Court Records and Public Index
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index covers all 46 counties, including Richland County where Columbia is located. Visit publicindex.sccourts.org and select Richland County to search Columbia court records. The database includes Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court cases. You can search by name, case number, or filing date.
Case information in the Public Index includes charges, hearing dates, dispositions, judge assignments, and attorney information. The basic case index is free to access. Full case documents must be requested in person from the Clerk of Court. The Richland County courthouse handles Columbia area court records. The Public Index is updated regularly with new filings and case dispositions. For Columbia released inmates, the Public Index can show the full history of criminal charges and their outcomes.
Columbia Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases within the city limits. The municipal court docket includes traffic violations, local ordinance violations, and certain criminal matters. Case records from Columbia Municipal Court may also appear in the Public Index system. For certified copies of case documents, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
Columbia Sex Offender Registry
SLED maintains the South Carolina Public Sex Offender Registry at scor.sled.sc.gov. You can search by name, city, county, or zip code. Columbia residents can search for registered sex offenders in their area using this tool. The registry includes adult sex offenders age 17 and over. Information provided includes the offender's identity, conviction records, current residence, and photographs.
The registry is separate from the SCDC released inmate list. Some Columbia released inmates will appear on the sex offender registry if their conviction requires registration. Annual registration is required for most offenses. Quarterly verification is required for more severe crimes or designated predators. Non-compliance can result in fines and imprisonment.
The SLED Sex Offender Registry lets Columbia residents search for registered offenders by city, county, or zip code.
Richland County Released Inmate Records
Columbia is located in Richland County. The Richland County Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center processes Columbia arrests. For county-level inmate records, detention center information, and related resources, see the Richland County released inmates page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Look up released inmate records for other South Carolina cities using the links below.