Atlanta Detention Centers: How They Work and What You Need to Know

If you search for “Atlanta Georgia Detention Center,” you’re usually trying to do one of a few things: find where someone is being held, understand how jail and detention work in Atlanta, or figure out how to visit, call, or post bond.

This guide walks through the main detention facilities connected to Atlanta, how they’re used, and what practical steps you can take if a friend or family member has been detained in or around the city.

Key Types of Detention Facilities in Atlanta

In everyday conversation, people often say “Atlanta detention center,” but there are several different kinds of facilities that may be involved:

1. City/Municipal facilities (for city ordinance violations, certain misdemeanors)
2. County jails (for most arrests in the Atlanta area)
3. State prison facilities (for people serving longer felony sentences)
4. Federal detention (for federal criminal charges)
5. Immigration detention (separate from local criminal jails)

In and around Atlanta, Georgia, the most relevant for most families and visitors are:

• Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) – now largely repurposed and no longer used as a traditional city jail the way it once was.
• Fulton County Jail – the primary county jail for much of the City of Atlanta.
• DeKalb County Jail – serves parts of Atlanta that fall in DeKalb County.
• Federal and immigration facilities – used for specific federal or immigration cases.

Understanding which system is involved is the first step to finding someone or getting information.

Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC)

What the Atlanta City Detention Center Is

The Atlanta City Detention Center, often referred to historically as the “Atlanta City Jail,” is located in downtown Atlanta:

• Address: 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

For many years, this building housed people arrested on city-level charges, traffic violations, municipal ordinance violations, and individuals being held temporarily after arrest.

In recent years, Atlanta has moved away from using this facility as a traditional, long-term jail. The city has publicly discussed and pursued plans to reduce or end its use as a full-capacity detention center and repurpose the building for more community-focused uses. As a result, many individuals who might previously have been held here are now processed through county jails, especially Fulton County Jail.

Because policies and usage of ACDC have changed over time, it’s important to verify current functions before assuming someone is housed there.

When ACDC May Still Be Relevant

Even if ACDC is not operating as a standard jail in the same way, it may still:

• Be used for short-term holding or processing in certain situations
• Serve as a location for city administrative offices or programs related to justice, reentry, or diversion
• Appear in older records or online references when people search for “Atlanta Georgia Detention Center”

If you are unsure whether this facility is still housing someone:

• You can contact the City of Atlanta or check local inmate locator tools for Fulton County and DeKalb County, which now handle most detention after arrest in Atlanta’s city limits.

Fulton County Jail: The Primary Jail for Much of Atlanta

For many people arrested in Atlanta, especially those within Fulton County, the main facility involved is:

• Fulton County Jail (Rice Street Jail)
  • Address: 901 Rice Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
  • Commonly referred to simply as “Rice Street”

Who Is Typically Held at Fulton County Jail?

Fulton County Jail usually houses:

• People arrested in Fulton County, including large portions of the City of Atlanta
• Individuals awaiting trial on misdemeanor or felony charges
• People who have been sentenced to shorter terms and are serving time locally
• Individuals awaiting transfer to state prison after a felony sentence

If your friend or family member was arrested by:

• Atlanta Police Department within the parts of the city that lie in Fulton County, or
• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office

there is a good chance they are processed through Fulton County Jail.

Basic Process After Arrest in Atlanta (Fulton County)

While each case is different, a typical path might look like this:

1. Arrest and transport – by Atlanta Police or another agency to a local intake location.
2. Booking at Fulton County Jail
   • Photograph, fingerprints, property taken into storage.
   • Personal information and charges recorded.
3. Initial appearance / first court hearing
   • Often focused on whether bond is set and in what amount.
4. Detention or release
   • If bond is posted, the person may be released.
   • If not, they may remain at the jail while the case proceeds.

Throughout this process, family members and friends typically want to know:

• Where the person is
• How to call or write
• How to arrange bond or a legal visit

DeKalb County Jail and Atlanta Addresses

Parts of the City of Atlanta lie in DeKalb County rather than Fulton County. If someone is arrested east of downtown Atlanta or in an Atlanta neighborhood within DeKalb, they might be taken to:

• DeKalb County Jail
  • Address: 4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032

This facility serves:

• People arrested by law enforcement agencies operating in DeKalb County, including some Atlanta-area police work
• Individuals awaiting trial or sentencing on charges filed in DeKalb County courts

If you are not sure whether an address in Atlanta falls in Fulton or DeKalb, you can:

• Check the county listed on the booking information, or
• Use online property or jurisdiction lookups provided by Fulton and DeKalb County governments.

Quick Reference: Main Detention-Related Facilities for Atlanta Residents

How to Find Out Where Someone Is Being Held

If you’re in Atlanta and trying to locate a person:

1. Confirm the Arresting Agency (If Possible)

Knowing which department made the arrest helps narrow down the facility:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD)
• Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
• DeKalb County Police Department
• Georgia State Patrol
• A federal agency (e.g., FBI, DEA, ICE)

This might come from:

• A phone call or message from the person just after arrest
• Information from witnesses or family present at the time
• Court paperwork, if any has been issued

2. Check County Jail Inmate Search Tools

Most people searching “Atlanta Georgia Detention Center” are actually looking for someone in Fulton County Jail or DeKalb County Jail. Both counties typically maintain public inmate lookup systems.

You’ll usually need:

• Full name (as close to legal name as possible)
• Date of birth, if available

If online search does not show results, the person may:

• Have just been booked and not yet entered into the system
• Be under a different spelling or alias
• Have been moved to a different facility (state, federal, or another county)

3. Call the Jail’s Main Information Line

If you cannot locate the person online or are unsure about city–county lines, you can call the main information numbers for the relevant county jails and request:

• Confirmation whether a person is currently held
• The person’s booking number
• Information on bond and visiting rules

Be prepared with:

• Full name
• Approximate age or date of birth
• Approximate arrest date

Visiting Someone in an Atlanta-Area Detention Center

Each detention center has its own visitation rules, but there are common patterns across facilities near Atlanta.

Typical Visitation Requirements

Most jails in the Atlanta area will require:

• Valid government-issued ID for visitors
• That you be on the inmate’s approved visitor list (for certain facilities)
• Adherence to a dress code (no revealing clothing, gang-related symbols, etc.)
• Arrival early to allow for check-in and security screening

Visits may be:

• In-person through glass partitions or in designated rooms
• Video visitation, either on-site or remote, using an approved vendor system

Because rules can change and sometimes vary by housing unit, security level, or status, always verify:

• Days and times of visitation
• Whether you need an appointment
• Limits on number and length of visits per week

Phone Calls, Mail, and Communication

Phone Calls

In most Atlanta-area jails:

• People in custody cannot receive incoming phone calls, but they can typically make outgoing calls through a contract phone provider.
• Calls are usually collect or require a prepaid account set up by the inmate or their family/friends.
• Calls are often recorded and monitored, except for verified legal calls with attorneys.

To support phone communication, families usually need to:

• Learn which phone vendor the jail uses
• Set up or add funds to prepaid accounts or accept collect calls

Information on approved vendors and setup instructions is usually available through the jail’s main information line or posted resources.

Mail

Mail is another common way to communicate with someone detained in or around Atlanta. In most cases:

• You must address the envelope with:
  • The person’s full name
  • Their booking or inmate number
  • The correct facility mailing address
• Facilities often inspect or scan mail for security reasons.
• There may be strict rules on:
  • What types of paper, envelopes, or cards are allowed
  • Whether photos are allowed and in what quantity
  • Prohibited items (e.g., stickers, staples, paperclips)

Before sending anything, verify the current mail rules for that specific facility to avoid delays or returned items.

Understanding Bond and Release in Atlanta

A major concern for families in Atlanta is how to get someone released from a detention center.

Common Types of Bond

In the Atlanta area, people may encounter:

• Cash bond – Must be paid in full, usually at a bonding office or via an accepted payment method.
• Surety bond – Arranged through a licensed bonding company, which charges a non-refundable fee (a percentage of the bond amount).
• Property bond – Sometimes allowed, using real estate as collateral, subject to detailed county rules.
• Signature or recognizance bond (OR bond) – The person is released based on a promise to appear, often with conditions, and without paying a cash amount up front.

Whether a bond is available, and in what amount, depends on:

• The charge(s)
• The person’s criminal history
• The judge’s evaluation of flight risk and public safety

Where Bond Is Handled

In Atlanta-related cases:

• Bond is usually set during an initial appearance in either Fulton County or DeKalb County court, depending on the jurisdiction.
• Bond payments or arrangements are handled through county bond offices, not directly at the Atlanta City Detention Center in most modern cases.

If you’re unsure what to do next, it’s often helpful to:

• Contact the relevant county jail for instructions on bond payment locations and hours.
• Consider consulting with a licensed attorney familiar with criminal procedure in Fulton or DeKalb County.

Immigration and Federal Detention Connected to Atlanta

Sometimes people search “Atlanta Georgia Detention Center” when dealing with federal or immigration detention, which is different from local criminal jail.

Federal Criminal Detention

If someone is facing federal charges in the Atlanta area:

• They may be held at a facility under contract with the U.S. Marshals Service or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
• Hearings usually take place in federal court in Atlanta, but the detention facility might be in a different part of Georgia or even another state.

In these cases, information is often coordinated through:

• The person’s federal public defender or private attorney
• The U.S. Marshals Service office connected to the Northern District of Georgia

Immigration Detention (ICE)

If the issue is immigration-related rather than local criminal charges:

• Detention may occur at immigration-specific facilities or county jails that contract with ICE outside the immediate Atlanta city center.
• Proceedings are civil, not criminal, and follow different rules and agencies.

Families often find it useful to:

• Identify the precise facility name and A-number (immigration file number) of the detained person.
• Seek guidance from an immigration attorney familiar with the Atlanta immigration court system.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you’re dealing with a detention situation connected to Atlanta:

• Clarify the jurisdiction first. Determine whether the case is in Fulton County, DeKalb County, federal court, or immigration court.
• Do not rely on outdated references to “Atlanta City Jail” alone. The Atlanta City Detention Center has undergone significant changes in use, and most active criminal detention is now handled at county jails.
• Keep records. Write down the person’s booking number, facility, housing unit, and any court dates you’re told.
• Confirm rules before visiting or sending money. Policies on visitation, phone calls, mail, and deposits can be strict and change over time.
• Consider legal advice. For serious charges or complex situations (felonies, immigration holds, federal cases), many families find it helpful to speak with a licensed attorney in the Atlanta area.

By understanding how Atlanta’s detention system is organized—with the Atlanta City Detention Center playing a reduced, evolving role and county jails handling most custody—you can more quickly find accurate information, communicate with your loved one, and take the next appropriate steps.