Metal Permits

If you would like to obtain a permit to transport and sell nonferrous metals or a precious metals permit please come to the records division here at the sheriff’s office. By law, applications must be made in person. Please bring a state issued photo id and the vehicle registration that will be used to transport the items if it is available to you. Applicants are subjected to a background check. You will be notified by telephone when the application has been processed. You must be a resident of Florence County to receive a permit from this office. Permits are required to sell,including, but not limited to copper wire, copper clad steel wire, copper pipe, copper bars, copper sheeting, aluminum other than aluminum cans, a product that is a mixture of aluminum or copper, catalytic converters, lead-acid batteries, steel propane gas tanks, and stainless steel beer kegs or containers. Any questions may be directed to 843-665-2121 ext. 390.

Fingerprint Services

These are available Monday through Thursday 8:30 to 4:30. You must show a valid government issued I.D. and there is a $5.00 fee.

Background Checks

We do local county background checks only. Our checks only show Florence County Sheriff’s office arrest information going back 5 years. There is a $5.00 fee and you must provide government issued identification. If you are seeking more than a local county background check, you can obtain a SLED background check via their website, www.sled.state.sc.us.

Impounded Vehicles

Before a vehicle can be released from our impound yard, the owner must show proof of ownership, proof of current insurance, and pay the towing fee, which is a minimum of $125.00. Towing fees may vary. Vehicles will be released Monday through Friday 8:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-4:30pm.

Inmate Telephone System

The Florence County Detention Center uses SMART Communications to provide the inmate telephone system for the facility.  You can set up an account or add money to an account by clicking here or calling 1-888-843-1972. Calls are .16 cents + tax per minute and are limited to 2 hours a week.

Visitation – Attorneys, Professional staff

We will accommodate all reasonable visits. Please bring your identification. Paralegals or Investigators need to bring a written request from an attorney on company letterhead along with identification. All problems should be addressed to the Detention Center Captain.

How to deposit money in an Inmate Account

Inmates are allowed to order commissary items during the time of their incarceration. You may place money into an account by the following methods:

• Send a money order or cashier check to this address:

This service is free.

• There is a kiosk in our lobby for the deposit of funds. There is a fee associated with this service fo $3.75 per transaction. The ATM will take cash, credit, or debit cards. You may access the lobby at any time Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm.
• Online by going to www.jaildeposits.com The fee for this service is; by telephone 5.5% of transaction and by computer 4.5% of transaction.
• We do not set the fees nor receive a commission on those.
• You may not give cash money to any employee to deposit for an inmate.

How to have mail delivered to an inmate

• You may mail letters, postcards, or greeting cards to:

• You may include small photographs. Pornographic, obscene, or gang photos will be returned to sender.
• Do not write or draw anything on the envelope or correspondence. All drawings will be treated as gang graffiti or attempts to secretly communicate. Such material will be returned to sender.
• All mail (except clearly marked legal mail) is opened prior to the inmate receiving it in an attempt to keep contraband out of our facility.

Inmate charges and bond amounts

• First check www.fcso.org and view an inmates booking information
• You may go to www.vinelink.com and register if you are the victim of a crime and with to receive information on an inmate status.
• Contact the booking department at 843-665-9944 ext 485, 486, and 487

Picking up Money/Property from an Inmate

• An inmate wishing to have any of his/her property must originate this activity by requesting a form from the housing unit officer. Once the paperwork is approved by the administration you will be notified to pick up the items. You may come Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm.
• Inmates who are attending court for senticing should dispose of their property in a timely fashion. Once sentenced for a crime which requires an inmate be sent to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, we send the inmate and associated property. As inmates are not allowed to have only a minimal list of items, the bulk of what is sent with the inmate is placed in the trash at SCDC. They do not have room to store an inmates excess belongings, nor do we.

Items you may mail into any work camp inmate

• Toothbrush (2)
• Toothpaste (2)
• Soap (8)
• Deodorant (2)
• Shampoo (2)
• Hair Grease
• Baby Powder
• Foot Powder
• Hair Clippers
• Electric Shavers
• Lotion (2)
• Brush/Comb
• Shaving Cream (4) (no metal cans)
• New Underwear (7) (white only, no briefs nor boxers briefs)
• Thermal underwear (7) (white or gray)
• New T-Shirts/Socks (7) (white only, no tank tops) 
• Shower Shoes/Flip Flops (1)
• Personal Coat to work in (1)
• Athletic Shoes (1)
• Work Boots (1) (no steel toes)
• Optional pair of shoes (1)
• Writing Tablets (2) 
• Pens/Pencils/Markers
• Magazines (4) (No Pornography; from publisher) 
• Newspaper (from publisher)
• Books (4) (soft cover only from publisher) 
• Legal Documents
• Family Photographs 5x7 or smaller
• Prescription Glasses/Contacts
• Cigarettes/Lighter/Carton

*Any non approved items will be returned at your expense.

State Inmate Workers

In addition to the above:

• Tweezers
• Electric Shavers
• Chapstick
• Q-Tips
• Calendar
• Batteries
• Facial Cleansers
• Disposable Razors
• Nail clipper without file
• Extra Paor shoes/Boots
• Journal
• Phone Cards