The Beaufort County jail roster is a public resource that lists individuals currently held at the Beaufort County Detention Center in South Carolina. BeaufortCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about current and recent inmates. You can also search the roster through the Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System, by calling the detention center, or by visiting in person. A jail roster search lets the public confirm whether someone is in custody, view current charges, and check bond status. The Beaufort County Detention Center — operated by Beaufort County government — maintains and updates the roster, which is hosted on the county's official website.
Search Current Inmates in Beaufort County Jail
There are several ways to look up someone currently held at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
Online Search
- Visit BeaufortCourt.us to search for publicly available court and inmate information.
- Go to the official Inmate Inquiry System on the Beaufort County government website.
- Enter the individual's last name, first name, or booking number in the search fields provided.
- Review the results, which typically display the inmate's name, date of birth, booking date, charges, and bond amount.
To begin a search, you will need at least the individual's full legal name. A booking number, if known, can help narrow results. Juvenile offenders are not included in the public roster.
By Phone
Call the Beaufort County Detention Center directly to ask whether a specific person is in custody. Staff can confirm current inmate status over the phone.
In Person
You can visit the detention center lobby during regular business hours to request inmate information.
Beaufort County Detention Center
The Detention Center was opened in 1992 as a direct supervision facility. For details about facility operations, visit the Information of Interest page on the county website.
Find Beaufort County Jail Booking Records Online
A booking record is created each time an individual is processed into the Beaufort County Detention Center. During booking, jail staff collect personal information and document the circumstances of the arrest. A booking record typically includes:
- Booking number
- Date and time of booking
- Charges at the time of arrest
- Arresting agency (Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, municipal police, etc.)
- Bond amount, if set
- Photograph (mugshot)
Current booking records can be accessed through the county's Inmate Inquiry System. This tool displays information for individuals presently in custody at the detention center.
If you need records beyond what the online system provides — such as older booking information or incident reports — you can submit a request through the Beaufort County FOIA request process. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (Title 30, Chapter 4 of the S.C. Code of Laws) generally requires public bodies to make records available upon request, though certain information may be redacted or withheld under statutory exemptions.
For individuals who have been sentenced and transferred to state custody, use the South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search. Statewide criminal history checks are available through SLED CATCH for a $25.00 non-refundable fee.
Search the Beaufort County Jail Roster by Last Name or Booking Number
The Beaufort County Inmate Inquiry System supports two primary search methods:
Search by Last Name
- Enter the inmate's last name in the search field. You can add a first name to narrow results.
- Use the person's full legal name — nicknames or aliases may not return a match.
- Double-check spelling. Even a single incorrect letter can prevent a result from appearing.
Search by Booking Number
- If you have the booking number (sometimes provided by the arresting agency or on bond paperwork), enter it directly.
- This method returns a single, specific record and is the fastest way to locate an inmate.
Tips for Troubleshooting
- If a search returns no results, try a partial last name or verify the spelling with the arresting agency.
- Hyphenated or compound last names may be entered differently in the system — try each variation.
- If the person was recently arrested, their record may not yet appear. Allow time for processing.
- If the individual has been released or transferred, they will no longer show on the active roster. Contact the detention center at (843) 255-3200 to ask about recent releases.
- For court case details tied to charges, check the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index or contact the Beaufort County Clerk of Court.
Jail Roster Updates and Search Limitations in Beaufort County
The Beaufort County Detention Center updates its online inmate roster on a regular basis, though records do not always appear in real time. There can be a delay between when someone is booked into the facility and when their information shows up in the Inmate Inquiry System. Common reasons for delays include:
- Processing time: Booking involves paperwork, fingerprinting, and data entry. During busy periods or overnight hours, it may take several hours before a new record is visible online.
- Data entry lag: Staff must manually enter or verify information, which can introduce short delays.
- Releases and transfers: Once an inmate posts bond, is released, or is transferred to another facility, their record is typically removed from the active roster. This can happen quickly.
The roster reflects current custody only. It is not an archive of all past bookings. If you need historical booking information, submit a records request through the county's FOIA process or contact the Beaufort County Records Management office.
Keep in mind that the roster does not include individuals held in federal custody, those serving state prison sentences, or juveniles. For state inmates, use the SC Department of Corrections inmate search. For individuals on probation or parole, check the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services offender search.