Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial / Sentenced
- Inmate Capacity
- Not available
- Established
- Not available
- Operated By
- Richland County Sheriff's Office
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Inmate Communication Overview
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is a county detention facility in Richland County, South Carolina, operated by the Richland County Sheriff's Office. Communication for families follows the standard process used across Richland County jail operations: contact is inmate-initiated, all communications are monitored, and each service is funded through a separate account.
Communication at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is handled through Securus and GettingOut. Securus handles phone calls, video visits. GettingOut handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, money transfers. Create an account with each provider you plan to use, and be ready with the inmate's full name and ID number when you set up.
Before creating any account or sending funds, confirm your loved one's current facility placement using the appropriate inmate locator. Providers and rules change when someone is transferred to a state prison after sentencing, so an account that works today may not be correct after a move. Visiting hours and communication rules can also change with little notice, so check the operating agency's website before relying on any single method.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
201 John Mark Dial Dr., Columbia, SC 29209
Main Phone
(803) 576-3200
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Visit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Visiting Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GettingOut
Electronic messaging is reviewed by facility staff before delivery.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Video visits are scheduled in advance through the provider platform.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: GettingOut
Digital photos can be attached to messages through the provider.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Calls are inmate-initiated. Fund an account so calls can connect.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GettingOut
Deposit funds for commissary and communication through the provider.
Communication Providers at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
Securus
Handles phone calls, video visits.
View Securus ServicesGettingOut
Handles messaging, photo sharing, money transfers.
View GettingOut ServicesCommunication Rules at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
- GettingOut handles messaging. Create your account first and add the inmate using their full name and ID number.
- Securus handles phone calls. Fund an account so inmate-initiated calls can connect.
- All communications are monitored and reviewed under the operating agency's policy.
- Confirm current facility placement with the inmate locator before creating accounts or sending funds.
- After sentencing to state prison, communication providers change at the receiving facility.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Create an account with GettingOut, add the inmate by name and ID number, and send your message. Messages are reviewed by staff before delivery, so allow some time for a reply.
- How do phone calls work at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Phone calls run through Securus. Set up a prepaid account linked to your phone number so the inmate can call you. All calls are inmate-initiated and subject to the facility's monitored call schedule.
- Can I do a video visit with someone at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Video visits are available through Securus. Create an account, look up the facility, and schedule an available time slot in advance.
- How do I find out where someone is being held?
- Use the operating agency's online inmate search to confirm current custody status and facility before setting up any communication account. Providers differ by facility, so verifying placement first avoids funding the wrong platform.
- How do I send money to someone at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Deposits go through GettingOut. Create an account, select the inmate's trust account, and add funds by debit or credit card. Processing usually takes one to three business days.
- How do I send mail to someone at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Address mail with the person's full name and booking number. All mail is inspected before delivery.
- Why did a call from Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center not go through?
- Calls are outgoing only, so the person inside must place the call. If a call did not connect, confirm that your number is on the approved list and that your Securus account has funds. A block on the receiving number or an unapproved number will stop the call.
- How does bond work at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Bond amounts and conditions are set by the court, not by the detention center. Confirm the bond amount and the accepted payment methods with the court or the facility before making any payment.
- How are visits scheduled at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center?
- Visits must be scheduled in advance, and visitors must be on the approved list. Confirm the current visiting schedule and rules with the facility before traveling, since hours can change.
- Is Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center the same as Richland County Detention Center?
- Yes. Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is the Richland County detention center in Columbia, South Carolina. Both names refer to the same facility at 201 John Mark Dial Drive.
Troubleshooting at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
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