Mail & Photos to Dorchester County Detention Center. Address & Rules

The Correct Mailing Address

Send personal mail to:

[Full Name] Dorchester County Detention Center 212 Deming Way Summerville, SC 29483

Write the person’s full legal name exactly as it appears in the booking search, not a nickname. Include your full return address clearly on the envelope.

What Happens to Your Mail

All incoming mail is opened and checked for contraband before it reaches the person you are writing to. This is standard practice at county jails and can add processing time before a letter is delivered. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office does not publish an exact turnaround time, so allow several days beyond normal postal delivery.

Sending Photos and Packages

Photo and package rules can change without notice, and the Sheriff’s Office does not publish detailed specifications (size limits, print versus printer paper, number of photos per envelope) on its website. Call (843) 832-0215 before sending anything beyond a plain letter to confirm current limits and accepted formats. Many county jails restrict photos to a small number per envelope and prohibit Polaroid-style or glossy prints; don’t assume those rules apply here without confirming first.

What’s Typically Not Allowed

While Dorchester County’s specific list isn’t published, county jails generally prohibit certain items in mail. Confirm with the facility before sending, but expect restrictions on:

• Cash or checks (use TouchPay instead)
• Stickers, glitter, glue, tape, or anything with an adhesive or unusual texture
• Items not pre-approved by facility policy, including most books and magazines unless sent directly from the publisher or an approved vendor
• Packages of any kind without confirming the current policy first

If Mail Is Rejected

If a letter or package is rejected, it’s typically returned to the sender or held for pickup, depending on facility policy. Call (843) 832-0215 to ask why something was rejected and how to resend it correctly.

Staying in Touch While You Confirm the Rules

While you confirm mail specifics, you can also reach someone through HomeWAV video visits or video messages, which don’t depend on physical mail rules.

Send Photos and Letters with Pigeonly

The easiest way to send photos and letters to someone at Dorchester County Detention Center is through Pigeonly. Upload your photos or write your letter online, and Pigeonly prints and mails everything to the facility for you, following the mail rules listed above.