If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or have a loved one who was arrested in the city, you may still hear people mention the Atlanta Detention Center (ADC) or the Atlanta City Jail. For years it was the main city-run jail in downtown Atlanta. Today, things work very differently.
This guide explains, in plain language:
All details are focused specifically on Atlanta, GA and the local jail system.
The Atlanta City Detention Center (often called ADC or the city jail) was a city-operated jail located in downtown Atlanta, near the federal and county courthouses.
It was mainly used for:
Unlike the Fulton County Jail (Rice Street), which is run by the county sheriff and holds people on a wide range of criminal charges, the Atlanta Detention Center was a municipal jail operated by the City of Atlanta Department of Corrections.
Over time, the city shifted away from using the facility for large-scale detention, and public discussions began about closing or repurposing it.
The Atlanta City Detention Center is no longer being used as a traditional city jail in the way it once was.
The city has moved toward:
Because city policy and agreements can change over time, it’s important to check current information when you need to know exactly where someone is being held. However, as a general rule, people arrested in Atlanta today are more likely to end up in a county detention facility, not the old city jail.
What happens after an arrest in Atlanta depends mostly on:
Here’s a simple overview:
| Situation | Typical Facility Involved (Atlanta Area) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest in City of Atlanta, inside Fulton County | Fulton County Jail (Rice Street) | Main county jail for most Atlanta arrests |
| Arrest in City of Atlanta, inside DeKalb County | DeKalb County Jail | Used when the arrest occurs in the DeKalb portion of Atlanta |
| Serious felony charges (Atlanta area) | County jail (Fulton or DeKalb, usually) | Detention handled by the county where the charge originates |
| Federal charges (downtown Atlanta courts) | Atlanta Federal Detention Center (FDC Atlanta) | Federal facility, not part of the old city jail system |
For many people arrested by the Atlanta Police Department in the central and western parts of the city, the primary facility is:
Fulton County Jail (Rice Street)
901 Rice St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Main phone (information line is often automated)
This is run by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, not the City of Atlanta. It houses people:
If the arrest happens in the DeKalb County portion of the City of Atlanta (generally the eastern side of the city):
DeKalb County Jail
4415 Memorial Dr
Decatur, GA 30032
This facility is run by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
If you’re in Atlanta and trying to find a friend or family member in custody, you generally won’t search for the “Atlanta Detention Center” anymore. Instead, you’ll look to the county.
First, figure out where the arrest likely happened:
If you’re not sure which county a specific address is in, many map tools and property records can tell you.
Most people in custody related to Atlanta-area charges are held under a county jail roster or inmate search system. You can:
When you call or use an online search, it helps to have:
If you know the person was involved with a federal case (for example, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia), they may be held at:
Federal Detention Center – Atlanta (FDC Atlanta)
601 McDonough Blvd SE
Atlanta, GA 30315
This is a federal facility, different from the former city jail and from the county jails.
The building that housed the Atlanta City Detention Center is still standing in downtown Atlanta. Over the past several years, city leaders and community groups have discussed:
Because this is a policy and development issue, the details and timelines may change. If you’re interested in the future of the building itself, you can monitor announcements from:
This is more about long-term policy and community planning than about where your loved one might be held today.
Even though the old Atlanta Detention Center is no longer operating as the main city jail, many people in Atlanta still need to know how visitation and contact work in the local jail system.
Rules differ by facility and can change, but here are common patterns in the Atlanta area:
Most local jails:
For accurate, current rules, contact:
Always confirm visiting hours and any special requirements before going in person.
In most Atlanta-area facilities:
If you get a call from a local jail, you will often hear an automated message stating the facility name and the caller’s name before the call connects.
At many jails in and around Atlanta:
Because these rules are specific to each facility and can shift, verify details directly with the sheriff’s office or facility in question.
After someone is arrested in Atlanta, they usually go through a series of steps tied to either municipal court or state/county courts, depending on the charge.
Some lower-level offenses (like city ordinance violations) may be handled in:
City of Atlanta Municipal Court
150 Garnett St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Here, people may:
More serious state charges are typically handled in:
In these courts, people may have:
Knowing which county the case belongs to is key for tracking court dates and records.
If you or a loved one is involved in a case that used to send people to the Atlanta Detention Center (or now sends them to a county jail), you may want legal guidance.
Common options in the Atlanta area include:
When reaching out for help, be ready with:
If you’re dealing with an immediate situation, your fastest steps are usually to determine the county, contact the appropriate sheriff’s office or jail, and, if needed, seek legal assistance based in the Atlanta area.
