Lee Correctional Institution
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Lee Correctional Institution. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,500 approx.
- Established
- 1993
- Operated By
- South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)
Lee Correctional Institution Inmate Communication Overview
Lee Correctional Institution is South Carolina's maximum-security state prison, operated by the South Carolina Department of Corrections and located in Bishopville in Lee County in the central part of the state, roughly 45 miles east of Columbia. Opened in 1993, the facility houses adult male inmates at maximum security classification and is considered the most secure prison in the South Carolina DOC system. Lee Correctional gained significant national attention following a large-scale riot in April 2018 that resulted in the deaths of seven inmates and injuries to many others, making it one of the deadliest prison incidents in recent U.S. history. The facility subsequently underwent significant security and operational reviews.
Communication at Lee Correctional Institution follows 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 correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the SCDC statewide contract. The two-platform model applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. As with South Carolina's other state facilities, these platforms require separate accounts with separate funding.
Lee County is in the Pee Dee region of central South Carolina, roughly 45 miles east of Columbia on I-20 and US-15. For Columbia-area families, the drive is about 45 minutes. For families in the Sumter or Florence area, the facility is even closer. For Charlotte-area families in North Carolina, the drive is about two hours. Lee County is a rural area, and the prison is the county's largest employer. South Carolina DOC accounts work system-wide and carry over to any other SCDC facility if an inmate is transferred.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
990 Prison Road, Bishopville, SC 29010
Main Phone
(803) 484-5851
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteCommunication Options
Available communication services at Lee Correctional Institution.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires South Carolina DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to SCDC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at Lee Correctional Institution
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses South Carolina DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the SCDC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Lee Correctional Institution
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by SCDC staff before delivery.
- SCDC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another South Carolina facility.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance through GTL.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lee Correctional Institution
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Lee Correctional Institution?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their South Carolina DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. SCDC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Lee Correctional?
- 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.
- How far is Lee Correctional from Columbia?
- Lee Correctional Institution is in Bishopville in Lee County, about 45 miles east of Columbia on I-20 and US-15, roughly a 45-minute drive. For families in Sumter or Florence, the facility is even closer.
- Is video visitation available at Lee Correctional Institution?
- Yes, through GTL. Log into your GTL account, search for Lee Correctional Institution, and select an available slot. Schedule at least 24 to 48 hours in advance.
- How do I send money to a Lee Correctional inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Lee Correctional Institution. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- How do I address mail to someone at Lee Correctional Institution?
- Use the inmate's full name and SCDC number, followed by Lee Correctional Institution, 990 Prison Road, Bishopville, SC 29010. Include a complete return address. All mail is inspected before delivery.
- Can I call an inmate at Lee Correctional directly?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls to approved numbers through GTL, so fund a GTL AdvancePay account and confirm your number is on the approved call list.
- Why did calls from Lee Correctional stop coming through?
- Calls usually stop when the GTL balance runs out, the number leaves the approved call list, or phone privileges change. Check the GTL balance first, then confirm with the inmate that your number is still approved.
- Why is my JPay message to Lee Correctional still pending?
- Messages are reviewed before delivery and can take a day or two to appear. If a message stays pending longer, confirm the SCDC number is correct and that you are on the inmate's approved contact list.
- How do I schedule a video visit with someone at Lee Correctional?
- Video visits are scheduled through GTL. Set up a GTL account, confirm you are on the inmate's approved visitor list, and book an available time slot in advance.
Troubleshooting at Lee 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
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