Sheriff's Office

What happens to someone's property when they are arrested and taken to jail?
When an inmate is processed into the Detention Center all personal items, except court papers, are taken from the individual. These are inventoried, labeled, and stored in the property room. The inmate is issued Detention Center clothing and a hygiene kit. This kit contains enough soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc., to last the inmate until he/she can purchase commissary items. We do not accept packages for inmates. Inmates may purchase special postage-paid envelopes and other items needed through the commissary.  Thirty days after an inmate's release, unclaimed property is disposed of according to Detention Center policy. 

What if someone needs to get keys or other property from someone who is in jail?
In order for an inmate to release property, he/she must complete a Property Release Form naming the person approved to pick up their property. 

What happens to a person's vehicle if they are arrested while driving it?
If a person is arrested and taken to jail while driving their vehicle, it will be towed away and stored by a local towing company.  The person must contact the officer that arrested them or the arresting police agency to find out where their vehicle was towed.  For example, if Horry County Police Department made the arrest, contact that agency; if the South Carolina Highway Patrol made the arrest, contact that agency.

What is the process for getting someone released from jail?
Some traffic offenses are eligible for a process called "cash and dash."  This means the inmate can post a pre-set fine with immediate-release without seeing a judge.  A magistrate or municipal court judge can set bonds for the majority of the inmates in custody.  The judge will set cash bonds, surety bonds, or 10% bonds on most criminal offenses.  If an inmate's bond is a 10% bond, this type of bond is posted with the court.  A bondsman may be used for surety bonds.  The court also accepts cash for the entire amount of the surety bond or real property is accepted for collateral.  If a person is charged with a crime, such as a traffic violation, which has a cash fine, that person can be released from the Detention Center upon payment to the Magistrate's Office. Persons charged with crimes classified as felonies normally have higher bonds.  Most bonds are set by the magistrate as cash or surety bonds which requires the person to deposit cash with the court or place real property up as collateral.  *Note: Each case or charge is different; therefore, the amount or type of bond depends upon the type of charge. A bondsman may assist with this process for a fee; however, the Detention Center will not make any recommendation or provide contact information for any specific bonding agency or agent. (Also, Click on the Bookings and Releases section for additional information.)

What occurs during the booking process?
Prisoners brought to the  Detention Center by Law Enforcement are searched for contraband.  Personal information is obtained from the person and they normally remain in the booking holding area until their bond is set.

Items for inmates  are accepted from family and friends. 
The Detention Center accepts prescription eye-glasses Monday through Friday, anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.  Cash can be deposited to an inmate's account in the kiosk in the vestibule of the Administration Building anytime the lobby is open. 

Prescription and non-prescription medications for inmates. 
The Detention Center accepts certain approved prescription medications.  Effective October 2, 2011, Southern Health Partners (SHP) assumed control over all medical operations for the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.  Please contact their office at (843) 915-6899, for the proper procedure for bringing medications.

Physical Location:
The Detention Center is located off of Hwy 701 North, approximately five miles north of Conway.  Directional signs are posted on Hwy 701 and Hwy 319.  

It is the policy of J. Reuben Long Detention Center to govern the admission and booking of all new inmates, transferred inmates, and inmates returned by other jurisdictions to ensure legal detention and medical fitness for incarceration. The Detention Center will not incarcerate or hold any person except under appropriate legal authority and documentation. The arresting agency can place a detainer on the arrestee to obtain charging documents for a time not to exceed 24 hours from the time the detainer was placed.

1. Booking Process - The Detention Center maintains accurate and complete records on all persons incarcerated at the facility. In addition to paper files and records, the Detention Center uses Motorola’s Offendertrak system to maintain electronic records of all inmates. Offendertrak maintains records on admission, processing and release of inmates. Offendertrak issues a new booking number for each detainee but maintains a single inmate account record for a given inmate.
   
2. Medical Screening - Medical staff and/or security personnel screens any arrestee who appears injured, acutely ill, in a stupor, or an apparent coma (even though the cause may be intoxication).
3. Booking Information Collected:
   1. Identification data.
   2. Charge and bond data.
   3. Property inventory, storage and receipt.
   4. Hold, warrant, detainer and extradition data, both local and NCIC.
   5. Criminal history data.
   6. Photograph and fingerprint data, as required.
   7. Medical and mental health screening to include current and preexisting illness, current medication behavioral observation, body deformities, skin condition and infestation.
   8. Housing with separation from the general population until classification.
4. Inmate telephones - The Booking seating area and all Booking cells have telephones available for the inmates. At the completion of the booking process, inmates may use the telephone to contact an attorney, family member or another contact person.
5. Bond Hearings - The Detention Center has bond hearings twice a day, seven days a week. Holiday hours may vary. A bond hearing may be delayed if a victim is involved and they want to attend the bond hearing.

The Detention Center has an official release process for inmates.  Detention Center staff must verify all release documents, complete an inquiry through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system, and check for any outstanding warrants (charges). This process normally takes about 30-minutes, but may take up to an hour or more depending upon existing circumstances.  

1. Release through the Courts - Inmates released from courts outside of the facility must return to the Detention Center for the official release process.
2. Minimum Security Releases - Inmates may serve a sentence in J. Reuben Long Detention Center's Minimum Security building under the jurisdiction of Family Court, Magistrate's Court and Municipal Court. Inmates sentenced in Family Court may serve up to a one year sentence for civil contempt of non-payment of child support. Inmates sentenced in Magistrate's Court and Municipal Court may serve up to 90 days. Classification provides release dates in advance to inmates assigned to the Minimum Security building. The release dates may change after calculating work credits and good time credits. For example, if an inmate fails to work a day, it may change the release date. The normal release times are approximately 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Please note that many inmates must work their last day in order to receive work credit. Some work details may not return to the Detention Center until 4:30 p.m. therefore, the inmate will not be released until then.
3. General Sessions Court Releases - Inmates that are sentenced by a judge in General Sessions Court must return to the Detention Center to go through the official release process. The South Carolina Department of Corrections may require the Detention Center to forward the sentencing documents to them prior to an inmate's release. This process may take up to two (2) business days. The Detention Center's goal is to release inmates in a timely manner.
4. Payment of Bond or Fine - When an inmate's bond or fine is paid, the Magistrate's Office prepares the release documents and forwards them to the Booking/Release department. The inmate is released after the Detention Center completes the official release process.
5. Payment of Fine and Time Served - When an inmate receives a sentence and a fine, they must satisfy both requirements prior to their release. Therefore, the inmate must serve the sentence and pay the fine before being released.
6. Inmate Movement - Releases and visits may be delayed during official headcounts between 5:00 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
7. Cash and Dash Bond Release - Recent changes in the bonding laws now permit Detention Center staff to accept cash payment for certain minor traffic and minor criminal charges without having to wait to go before a Magistrate. The specific charges and bond amounts are predetermined by the courts. Click on the link to Magistrate's Court to see the bondable pay offenses at J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

• J. Reuben Long Detention Center opened October 9, 1989. 
• The original building was designed to house 213 inmates.  It was later approved to accommodate 249 inmates.  
• J. Reuben Long Detention Center was the first direct supervision type facility built in South Carolina.
• A 96-bed minimum-security building was completed in 1996 to house the sentenced inmate worker population.
• In 2003 a female housing unit, courtroom and victim services section was built adjoining the original building.
• In 2008 construction began on Phase I of the expansion project.  A 128-bed dormitory-style facility was built. 
• Between 2009 and 2011, Phase II of the expansion project began constructing the 536-bed tower, administrative building, kitchen and laundry building.
• The Detention Center now has the capacity to house 1,000 inmates in 20 housing units.