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Detention

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    It shall be the mission of the Pickens County Detention Center to provide humane and just treatment to all persons detained without jeopardizing the safety and security of this facility or the community it serves.

The Detention Center shall:

  • Maintain inmates' rights while keeping them in a safe, humane environment, and

  • Maintain custody of the inmate and prevent escape of inmates in a pre-trial or trusty status, and

  • Protect inmates from victimization by placing them in separate living areas determined by proper classification.

  • Provide medical and mental health services necessary to address the basic and specialized healthcare needs of all inmates, and

  • Provide a safe and sanitary living environment for all inmates, and

  • Provide a safe and sanitary working environment for all employees.

    The Pickens County Detention Center is a jail designed to house "pre-sentenced" inmates. It was built in 1976 with a capacity to house 54 inmates. Of the 54 beds, 6 were for female inmates, and 42 for male inmates. The remaining six beds were considered isolation/special needs (Detox) cells. Today, the facility has 60 beds as a result of double-bunking the female cellblocks. The facility has a rated capacity of 45, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections Division (SCDC) of Operations and Jail Standards. Inmates arrested by Central, Clemson, Clemson University, Easley, Liberty and Pickens Police Departments along with persons arrested by the Pickens County Sheriff's Office are housed at the facility. The jails at Clemson, Clemson University, and Easley are classified at Type I/Overnight Lock-up facilities.

    The Pickens County facility is inspected annually by the SCDC, the fire marshal, and the SC Department of Health. After the inspections, SCDC files a written report to the County Council Chairman, the Sheriff, and the Jail Administrator. Any corrections that need to be made are acted upon accordingly.

    The inmate count is conducted at least 3 times a day. The high count for the day is recorded. The Average Daily Population (ADP) is calculated monthly, and then yearly.

    Once sentenced by the court, inmates are released to prisons. If the inmate receives a sentence of 90 days or less, they are housed at the Pickens County Prison off of Concord Church Road near Pickens. If the inmate receives a sentence of 91 days or more, the inmate is sent to the SCDC facility located near Pelzer. All male inmates sentenced by Family Court Judges are housed at the Pickens County Prison, even sentences up to one year. Female Family Court inmates remain incarcerated at the Detention Center.

Statistical Information
Year

Average Daily Population

% of Rated Capacity

Total Number Booked
1999

47.8

106%

4278
2000

47.8

106%

4498
2001

57.5

127%

4154

2002

60.1

134%

4453
2003

72.7

161%

4163
2004 81.1 180% 3908
2005 109.1 242% 4304
01/2006 141.6 315% 361
02/2006 113.8 253% 389
03/2006 120.8 268% 425
04/2006 125.8 126%* 339
05/2006 115.4 127% 345
06/2006 109.9 121% 373
07/2006 118 130% 336
08/2006 117 129% 398
09/2006 117 129% 335
10/2006 115 126% 343
11/2006 109 120% 377
12/2006      
01/2007      
02/2007      
03/2007      
04/2007      
05/2007      
06/2007      

* The Rated Capacity was changed from 45 inmates to 91 by SCDC on 03/30/06.

Detention Facility Work Crews and Educational Programs

     It is a strong desire for officers with the Pickens County Sheriff's Office / Detention Division to promote life changing opportunities for inmates housed at our facility.  We proudly promote empowerment through hard work, dedication, and education. It is our desire to provide hope and change to those who need it the most. Over the past year, we have strived to offer opportunities for inmates to make life changing decisions, which may make the difference in getting their lives back on the right track.  

     The Pickens County Sheriff's Office / Detention Facility is one of few county facilities in the state that utilize sentenced females as work crews. The females have an opportunity to make a difference not only in their lives, but for the county. Hundreds of bags of trash are removed from our highways and rural areas by the litter crews. This comes at little cost to the tax payer, but the benefits are tremendous. The work crews help teach the inmate, discipline, patience, and dedication.  Attributes that can make a difference in their lives when they are released. The litter crews are a “win-win” situation. The females are also offered work credits for the work. This also helps the taxpayer in reducing the amount of time they are housed at our county facility. They are basically working to earn their keep.  All of the inmates assigned to the crews are screened thoroughly and are classified as low risk inmates. They can not have any pending charges, holds, or detainers placed on them.  They are supervised constantly by certified deputy sheriff personnel.

     Our facility is also very proud of our educational opportunities. Many of the inmates that pass through our facility lack a high school education. In September, 2007, our facility instituted a GED Program through Pickens County Adult Education. Since the start of the program, we have offered opportunities to over fifty (50) sentenced females. We are also proud to announce that our first graduate will receive her GED later this month (January 2008). It is our desire to improve self esteem and empower inmates through education. In return, they can once again be productive members of society and to their families.