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

If you search for “detention center Atlanta,” you’re usually trying to find someone in custody, figure out visiting rules, post bond, or understand which facility handles which type of case. Atlanta has several different detention centers and jails, and they serve different purposes depending on whether a case is city, county, state, or federal.

This guide walks through the main types of detention centers in Atlanta, Georgia, how they operate, and what an Atlanta resident or visitor needs to know to navigate them.

Key Types of Detention Centers in the Atlanta Area

In and around Atlanta, people are typically held in one of four broad types of facilities:

1. City detention center – for municipal ordinance violations and some misdemeanors.
2. County jails – for county-level charges, pretrial detention, and short sentences.
3. State prisons – for people serving longer felony sentences after conviction.
4. Federal detention centers – for people held on federal charges or immigration-related detention.

Understanding the difference helps you know where to look, who to call, and what rules apply.

City of Atlanta Detention Facilities

Atlanta City Detention Use and Transitions

The City of Atlanta historically operated the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) in Downtown as a municipal jail for:

• Local ordinance violations
• Some traffic-related offenses
• Short-term detention after arrest

In recent years, city policy has shifted away from using the facility as a traditional jail, with discussions and planning around repurposing the space. Because of these changes:

• Some people arrested in the City of Atlanta may be held in county facilities instead of a city jail.
• Bonding, release, and court appearances may be handled through Atlanta Municipal Court and cooperating county jails.

If you’re unsure whether someone is at a city versus county facility, it’s common to:

• Start by checking Fulton County Jail (for arrests in most of the City of Atlanta).
• Then check DeKalb County Jail if the arrest happened in the DeKalb portion of the city.
• Contact Atlanta Municipal Court for municipal case information.

Fulton County Jail (Rice Street) – Main Jail for Much of Atlanta

Most people searching for a “detention center in Atlanta” will end up needing information on the Fulton County Jail, often called the Rice Street Jail.

Fulton County Jail
901 Rice Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone (main line, subject to change): typically listed under “Fulton County Sheriff’s Office – Jail Division”

Who Is Held at Fulton County Jail?

Fulton County Jail generally holds:

• People arrested in Fulton County, including much of the City of Atlanta
• Individuals awaiting trial or court hearings on felony or serious misdemeanor charges
• People serving short county sentences (typically under one year)
• Individuals held for other agencies (for example, on holds or warrants)

It is a pretrial detention center, not a long-term prison.

Inmate Search and Case Information

For someone who lives in or is visiting Atlanta and needs to locate a person:

• Fulton County usually provides an online inmate lookup through the Sheriff’s Office.
• You can also call the jail or the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to confirm:
  • Whether a person is in custody
  • Booking number
  • Charges
  • Bond status

Courthouse connections you may hear about include:

• Fulton County Superior Court – handles most felony matters.
• Fulton County State Court – handles certain misdemeanors and traffic cases.

Having the full legal name and date of birth makes searches easier and faster.

Visitation Basics at Fulton County Jail

Visitation rules can change, but typical features include:

• Approved visitor lists – The person in custody usually must list who may visit.
• ID requirements – A government-issued photo ID is almost always required.
• Dress code – Visitors may be turned away for clothing considered inappropriate or unsafe.
• Scheduling – Visits are often:
  • On specific days by housing unit
  • By appointment or sign-up
  • Limited in length and frequency

📌 Tip: Always verify current visitation days, hours, and procedures directly with the jail or Sheriff’s Office before you go. Policies can change due to safety, staffing, or health-related concerns.

Phone Calls and Mail

Most Atlanta-area detention centers, including Fulton County, use third‑party phone and messaging systems. Common patterns include:

• No incoming calls to people in custody. They must call out using the jail system.
• Calls are usually collect or prepaid, and they may be monitored or recorded.
• Mail must generally include:
  • The person’s full name
  • Booking or inmate number
  • Facility name and address

Restricted items (like cash, certain photos, or packages) may be rejected, so it’s wise to review Fulton County’s mail policy before sending anything.

DeKalb County Jail – For the Eastern Side of Metro Atlanta

A portion of the City of Atlanta lies in DeKalb County, and arrests in that area typically go to DeKalb County Jail.

DeKalb County Jail
4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032

Who Ends Up in DeKalb County Jail?

DeKalb County Jail houses:

• People arrested in DeKalb County, including the DeKalb side of Atlanta
• Individuals awaiting hearings in DeKalb County courts
• Short-term county sentences

If you’re not sure whether an arrest within Atlanta went to Fulton or DeKalb:

• Look at the location of the arrest; east Atlanta addresses may fall under DeKalb.
• Use DeKalb’s inmate search or call the Jail Information line.

Visitation, phone, and mail rules are similar in concept to those at Fulton County Jail, but specific details differ, so local policies matter.

Federal Detention Center, Atlanta (FDC Atlanta)

For federal cases, Atlanta is home to a federal detention center operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

Federal Detention Center, Atlanta (FDC Atlanta)
601 McDonough Blvd SE
Atlanta, GA 30315

Who Is Held at FDC Atlanta?

FDC Atlanta typically houses:

• People charged with federal crimes in the Northern District of Georgia awaiting trial or sentencing
• Some individuals serving short federal sentences
• People in federal custody transfers

These individuals are involved with federal courts, such as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Federal Visitation and Communication

FDC Atlanta has its own rules set by the BOP, which commonly include:

• Visitor approval process – People must often be pre-approved and placed on a visitation list.
• Specific days and times – Often tied to housing units and security levels.
• Strict ID and security screening – Federal standards are typically more formal and detailed.

Phone and mail rules are also federal:

• People in custody usually have access to a federal phone system for outbound calls.
• Mail must comply with BOP regulations, and legal mail has special handling.

Because federal rules can be detailed, families often review BOP guidance or contact the facility’s information line before visiting.

State Prisons Near Atlanta vs. Local Detention Centers

While many people use “detention center” and “prison” interchangeably, in Georgia they are not the same.

• Detention centers / jails:

  • Hold people before trial or on short county sentences.
  • Run by city or county (or, for FDC, federal) authorities.

• State prisons:

  • Run by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC).
  • House people serving longer felony sentences after conviction and sentencing.

There are state prisons and transitional centers in the broader metro area, but if someone was just arrested in Atlanta, they are far more likely to be in:

• Fulton County Jail
• DeKalb County Jail
• Or possibly FDC Atlanta (for federal matters)

Transition to a state prison usually happens after sentencing in a Georgia state court.

How to Figure Out Where Someone Is Being Held in Atlanta

When you only know that a person was “locked up in Atlanta,” it can be confusing to know where to start. This simple overview can help:

Having the full legal name, date of birth, and if possible a booking number speeds up the process.

Bond, Release, and Court Connections in Atlanta

Setting and Posting Bond

In Atlanta-area detention centers, bond (or “bail”) is generally:

• Set by a judge at first appearance or related hearings.
• Sometimes available as standard bond based on the charge.
• Posted by:
  • Paying cash bond directly at the jail or courthouse; or
  • Using a licensed bail bond company, if allowed.

Each facility has its own process for:

• Where to pay bond
• Accepted payment methods
• Hours when bond can be processed

Atlanta residents often need to check with:

• The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (for Fulton County Jail)
• The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (for DeKalb County Jail)
• The federal court and FDC Atlanta (for federal bonds and release conditions)

Court Dates and Transportation

People detained in Atlanta are typically transported to:

• Municipal Court of Atlanta – for city ordinance matters.
• Fulton County or DeKalb County courts – for state charges.
• U.S. District Court (Northern District of Georgia) – for federal charges.

If someone misses court because they are already in custody:

• The detention center usually coordinates with the court.
• Family can call the court clerk’s office to confirm the status of the case and the next hearing date.

Rights and Protections While in Detention

Even while detained in an Atlanta-area facility, individuals generally maintain certain rights, such as:

• The right to legal counsel in criminal cases.
• Protections against cruel or unusual punishment.
• Access to medical attention when needed, provided through the facility’s healthcare system.
• Ability to communicate with attorneys confidentially (subject to facility scheduling and security rules).

Family members in Atlanta often:

• Contact an attorney licensed in Georgia to get case-specific advice.
• Reach out to public defender offices or court-appointed counsel if the person cannot afford a lawyer.

While detention centers have their own internal rules, those rules operate beneath state and federal law, which still applies inside the facility.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents Dealing With Detention Centers

To navigate Atlanta detention centers more smoothly:

• Confirm the facility first. Knowing whether someone is in Fulton, DeKalb, or federal custody avoids wasted trips.
• Check rules before visiting. Dress codes, ID requirements, and visitation schedules can be strict.
• Arrive early. Many Atlanta facilities have security lines and limited visiting hours.
• Keep documentation handy. Have the person’s full name, date of birth, and if possible, case or booking number.
• Use official phone numbers. For up-to-date policies, call the Sheriff’s Office or facility directly rather than relying on third‑party rumors.

Detention centers in Atlanta—whether the Fulton County Jail, DeKalb County Jail, or FDC Atlanta—play different roles in the local justice system, but they all follow structured procedures for custody, visitation, communication, and release. Understanding which facility is involved, and how that facility operates in the Atlanta context, is the key first step for families, visitors, and residents trying to support someone in custody or get accurate information.