Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center

The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is an essential part of the criminal justice system in Richland County. It is a nationally accredited detention center, meaning it was accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA) after the detention center met 100 percent of th 69 mandatory standards required by the ACA and 96.3 percent of the 300 non-mandatory standards. ACA standards are the national benchmark for effective operation of correctional systems throughout the United States and are necessary to ensure that correctional facilities are operated professionally. The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is committed to providing its users and residents of Richland County with quality and efficient service.

Mission
The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is but one part of the criminal justice system serving the citizens of Richland County. Each segment of the system impacts the nature and size of the detention center's population. The County endorses, to the extent consistent with the primary goal of public safety and security, the development of alternatives to incarceration, such as community service and electronic monitoring. The detention center must also serve the needs of all user agencies and individuals, including detainees, staff, law enforcement, the courts, attorneys and community organizations.

The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center serves as the intake center for unsentenced misdemeanor and/or felony detainees/inmates and as an incarceration facility for sentenced offenders. It provides facilities for the detention of both unsentenced detainees/inmates and sentenced inmates in a minimum, medium and maximum security environment. All facilities provide housing and services of equal quality for all classes of detainees/inmates.

Security
The detention center provides sufficient security to prevent escapes by foreseeable means. Security will be maintained by assignment of detainees/inmates to minimum, medium or maximum security based upon the application of a thorough and rational classification and assignment system.

Safety
The protection of the public, staff and detainees/inmates in their person and property is the highest operating priority of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Services
The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center strives to ensure those confined are no worse off upon release than prior to incarceration. The achievement of this goal is to be promoted by staff through the humane and dignified treatment of detainees/inmates, along with adequate space, privacy and personal necessities, provisions for adequate exercise, visitation and access to services of outside agencies. The facility will provide the provisions for programs and services to promote self-development and religious worship.

In order to aid with future management of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, provisions will be made for routine collection of data pertaining to persons served by the facility. This data will include, but not be limited to, type of offense, sentencing status, length of stay in the detention center, and effectiveness of detainee and inmate programs. This information will be evaluated by the administration on a regular basis and will be utilized to improve operational standards whenever necessary.

Working at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center

The nationally accredited Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center has numerous opportunities for individuals with a strong sense of commitment and dedication to a quality career in law enforcement. Click here to read a news release about working at the detention center and the vital role corrections officers play in keeping our community safe.

The starting annual salary at the detention center is $31,519.02 without certification, and $33,094.97 once certification is achieved.

Benefits include:
Group health insurance
Group dental insurance
Group life insurance
Worker's compensation insurance
S.C. State Retirement
S.C. Deferred Compensation
Paid vacation and holidays
Longevity pay program
Job-related training programs and opportunities
Promotional job opportunities
Furnished uniforms
Certification with the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy

Qualifications:
High school dimploma/GED
Must be at least 21 years old 
Must have a valid S.C. drivers license
Corrections experiene is helpful but not neccessary

To apply online, click here to visit the Richland County Careers page and search the job listings for Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. For more information about working the detention center, contact Valarie Suttle at 803-576-3216 or Suttle.Valarie@Richlandcountysc.gov

Contact

The Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center is located at 201 John Mark Dial Drive, Columbia, SC 29209. Click here for a list of contact phone numbers. Click here to visit the detention center's satellite website with access to detainee information.