Broad River Correctional Institution
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Broad River Correctional Institution. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,600 approx.
- Established
- 1999
- Operated By
- South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDOC)
Broad River Correctional Institution Inmate Communication Overview
Broad River Correctional Institution is a maximum-security state prison operated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections, located in Richland County in the city of Columbia, the state capital. The facility opened in 1999 and houses South Carolina's most serious offenders, including those on death row. Its location within Columbia rather than a remote rural area makes it more accessible for families in the Midlands of South Carolina and for those visiting from the state's larger population centers. The facility sits in a largely industrial and institutional area on the western edge of Columbia.
Communication at Broad River operates through South Carolina DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and add the inmate using their South Carolina DOC number to begin sending messages. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the SCDOC statewide contract. For families who cannot travel to Columbia regularly, GTL video visits provide a practical remote alternative. The standard two-platform approach, JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video, applies here as it does across the South Carolina state system.
Death row at Broad River means a portion of the population faces stricter communication rules than the general maximum-security population. Families whose loved one is on South Carolina's death row should confirm current communication access with the facility before assuming standard rules apply. For general-population maximum-security inmates, the full JPay and GTL setup is available. Because both platforms serve the SCDOC system statewide, accounts created for Broad River will carry over to any other South Carolina DOC facility if an inmate is transferred.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
3060 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Main Phone
(803) 896-1700
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Broad River Correctional Institution.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available for general population. Death row access may differ.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Available for eligible general-population inmates. Death row access varies.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to SCDOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls. Fund GTL AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary purchases.
Communication Providers at Broad River Correctional Institution
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Requires South Carolina DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the SCDOC contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Broad River Correctional Institution
- Death row inmates may have restricted communication access. Confirm directly with the facility.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by SCDOC staff before delivery.
- SCDOC accounts carry over to other South Carolina facilities if the inmate is transferred.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Broad River Correctional Institution
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Broad River?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their South Carolina DOC number. Purchase stamps and send your message. Staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do phone calls work at Broad River?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you from facility phones.
- Is Broad River in Columbia, SC?
- Yes. Broad River Correctional Institution is located in Richland County within the city of Columbia, South Carolina's state capital. This central location makes it more accessible than many state prisons for families across the Midlands and Upstate regions.
- Is video visitation available at Broad River?
- Yes, through GTL. Log into your GTL account, search for Broad River Correctional Institution, and schedule an available slot. Death row inmates may have restricted video access. Confirm eligibility before booking.
- How do I send money to a Broad River inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Broad River Correctional Institution. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
- How do I find someone at Broad River?
- Use the SCDC Incarcerated Inmate Search at public.doc.state.sc.us/scdc-public/ and search by SCDC number, SID, or name. The search shows the current location, admission date, offenses, and projected release date.
- How do I get approved to visit Broad River?
- Submit an SCDC visitor application and wait for approval before visiting. Only approved visitors are admitted. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and follow SCDC visiting guidelines.
- Can I send mail to someone at Broad River?
- Yes. Include the inmate full name and SCDC ID on the envelope. All mail is inspected for contraband. Do not send cash, contraband, or prohibited items.
- What happens if my loved one transfers to another South Carolina prison?
- Your JPay and GTL accounts are statewide, so they carry over to any other SCDC facility. Update the facility name when scheduling GTL video visits, and confirm the new location in the SCDC Incarcerated Inmate Search.
Troubleshooting at Broad River Correctional Institution
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.
- 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.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
Stay Connected with Broad River Correctional Institution
Compare all available providers, search for other South Carolina facilities, and find the right communication options for your family. Free, with no account required.