Atlanta Prisons and Jails: How the System Works and Who to Contact

If you search for “Atlanta prison”, you might actually be looking for several different things: where someone is being held, how to visit or send money, or how Atlanta’s local, state, and federal facilities are organized.

In and around Atlanta, Georgia, people in custody may be held in:

• A county jail (local pre-trial or short sentences)
• A state prison (Georgia Department of Corrections)
• A federal prison (U.S. Bureau of Prisons)
• A city detention center (limited use today and often in transition)

Understanding these differences makes it much easier to find the right facility and follow the rules for visitation, phone calls, mail, and legal help.

Key Types of Correctional Facilities in the Atlanta Area

1. Local Jails vs. “Prisons”

The word “prison” is often used casually, but in the system:

• Jails are usually run by counties or cities, hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences (typically under a year).
• Prisons are long‑term facilities run by state or federal agencies for people serving longer sentences after conviction.

If your situation involves a recent arrest in Atlanta, you’re usually dealing first with a county jail, not a prison.

2. Major Atlanta-Area Facilities at a Glance

Below is a simplified overview of the main facilities Atlanta residents most often need to contact or understand.

Each operates under different rules and contacts, so identifying which one you’re dealing with is the first step.

Fulton County Jail (Main Jail Serving Much of Atlanta)

Many people arrested in the City of Atlanta are ultimately processed through the Fulton County Jail, even if they were initially taken to a city facility.

Location:
Fulton County Jail
901 Rice Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

Main switchboard (commonly listed): 404‑613‑2000

What Fulton County Jail Is Used For

• Pretrial detention for people arrested and charged who have not posted bond.
• Short sentences for certain misdemeanor or low-level offenses.
• Holds for other agencies (state or federal) in some cases.

Finding Someone in Fulton County Jail

Fulton County typically offers:

• An online inmate search via the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
• Information by phone if you have:
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Or booking number (if known)

If you can’t find someone:

• Confirm which county the arrest occurred in (Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, etc.).
• Check whether they may have been transferred to a state or federal facility.

Visitation Basics at Fulton County Jail

Visitation rules can change, but common features include:

• Advance scheduling (often online or by phone).
• Photo ID required for adults.
• Dress code (no revealing or gang-related clothing).
• Limits on:
  • Number of visitors
  • Length of visits
  • Allowed items (most personal belongings are not allowed in visitation areas)

Many facilities now use video visitation, either onsite kiosks or remote video visits. There may be fees for remote visits.

Always verify:

• Allowed days and times
• Whether you must be on an approved visitor list
• Age rules for children visitors

Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC)

The Atlanta City Detention Center is a city-run facility that has gone through significant changes, including efforts to reduce or repurpose its use. It has historically been used for:

• People arrested on city ordinance violations
• Short-term detention related to city-level cases

Because its role is evolving, it’s important to check the current status and whether people are being held there or transferred quickly to Fulton County Jail or another county facility.

If you believe someone is held at ACDC but can’t confirm:

• Call the City of Atlanta or the detention center directly.
• Ask if the person has been transferred to Fulton County or another county jail.

DeKalb County Jail (For the DeKalb Side of Atlanta)

Parts of Atlanta extend into DeKalb County. If the arrest or charge is on the DeKalb side, the person may be held at:

DeKalb County Jail
4415 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA 30032

Commonly listed main number: 404‑298‑8500

DeKalb County offers:

• Inmate search through the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
• Information on:
  • Visitation
  • Bonding
  • Mail
  • Property pickup

If an Atlanta address is involved but the arrest occurred in a neighboring county or jurisdiction (DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett), check that county’s jail.

Atlanta Federal Prison (USP Atlanta)

When people say “Atlanta prison” they often mean the federal prison located in southeast Atlanta:

United States Penitentiary (USP) Atlanta
601 McDonough Blvd SE
Atlanta, GA 30315

This is a federal facility run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). It has included:

• A high-security penitentiary
• Adjacent lower-security areas and detention functions

Who Is Held at USP Atlanta

• People serving federal sentences under U.S. law.
• Some pretrial federal detainees.
• People in transit between different federal facilities.

Finding an Inmate in the Federal System

For federal prisons:

• Use the Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator (online tool).
• You can search by:
  • Name
  • Register number (if known)

Once you confirm the person is at USP Atlanta, you can check:

• Approved mailing format
• Visitation procedures and hours
• Policies for money deposits and phone calls

Federal rules tend to be strict about:

• Dress code for visitors.
• Banned items (cell phones, electronics, bags, etc.).
• Advance approval of visitors.

State Prisons for Georgia Offenses

If someone in Atlanta is convicted in a Georgia state court (not federal) and receives a longer sentence, they are usually sent to a Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) facility, which is often outside the City of Atlanta.

Common Georgia state prisons are spread around the state; some may be closer to Atlanta than others, but they are not generally called “Atlanta prison.”

Finding Someone in Georgia State Prison Custody

Use the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search if:

• You know or suspect the person has a state prison sentence.
• They were previously in a county jail (like Fulton or DeKalb) but are no longer listed there.

You’ll need:

• Legal name
• Possibly date of birth
• Or GDC ID number (if known)

From there, you can see:

• Current facility
• GDC contact information
• Any posted visitation rules

How to Figure Out Where Someone Is Being Held

If you only know that someone was “locked up in Atlanta,” but not where, use this step‑by‑step approach:

1. Start with Local Jails

Check:

1. Fulton County Jail (901 Rice St. NW, Atlanta)
2. DeKalb County Jail (for arrests on the DeKalb side of Atlanta)
3. Jails in neighboring counties if the arrest occurred outside central Atlanta:
   • Cobb County
   • Clayton County
   • Gwinnett County
   • Others in the metro area

Most have online search tools; if you do not see the person listed, call and ask about:

• Recent bookings
• Possible transfers
• Any delay between booking and online listing

2. Check Federal Custody

If you believe the case is federal (for example, involving federal charges or federal agencies):

• Use the BOP inmate locator to see if they are at USP Atlanta or another federal facility.

3. Check Georgia State Prisons

If the person:

• Was sentenced in Georgia state court, and
• Is no longer listed in any county jail,

look them up in the Georgia Department of Corrections system.

4. Contact the Court or Clerk’s Office

If you know the courthouse where the case is being handled (e.g., Fulton County Superior Court, Atlanta Municipal Court, or a federal court in the Northern District of Georgia), you can:

• Call the clerk of court.
• Ask which agency has custody in that case.

Visiting Someone in an Atlanta-Area Facility

Every facility has its own procedures, but you can expect these common elements:

1. Getting on the Approved Visitor List

Many jails and prisons require:

• Completing a visitor application.
• Undergoing a background check.
• Waiting for approval before scheduling a visit.

Some local jails offer more flexible visitation, but policies can still be strict.

2. ID and Security Screening

Usual requirements include:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport).
• Passing through a metal detector.
• Possible search of personal items.

Most places do not allow:

• Cell phones
• Cameras
• Laptops or tablets
• Large bags

Plan to leave personal belongings in your car or a locker if available.

3. Dress Code and Conduct

Typical rules:

• No see-through, overly tight, or revealing clothing.
• No clothing with gang symbols or offensive language.
• Children must be supervised at all times.
• Physical contact may be limited or prohibited depending on security level.

Violations can lead to visits being denied or cut short.

Phone Calls, Mail, and Money

Phone Calls from Inside

In almost all Atlanta-area jails and prisons:

• People in custody cannot receive incoming calls from the public.
• They can place collect calls or use a prepaid phone account.
• Calls are usually monitored and recorded, except privileged calls with attorneys.

Family members usually set up phone accounts through a contracted service used by that facility; details vary by jail or prison.

Sending Mail

Mail is often a core way to communicate. Generally:

• Use the exact name and inmate ID number if available.
• Include the full facility name and address.
• Avoid sending:
  • Cash
  • Polaroid photos
  • Stickers or glitter
  • Items that may be viewed as contraband

Many facilities only allow:

• Letters
• Printouts on plain paper
• Limited numbers of photographs

Some use mail scanning or forward mail to off‑site screening centers, so there may be delays.

Sending Money

To place money on a person’s commissary or trust account, facilities typically accept:

• Online deposits through approved vendors.
• Money orders sent via mail following strict addressing rules.
• Sometimes kiosk deposits in the lobby.

Check the specific facility for:

• Accepted payment methods
• Daily/weekly limits
• Any fees

Legal Help and Court-Related Questions in Atlanta

If you’re dealing with an Atlanta-area arrest or prison issue, you may need to contact:

• Public defender offices (for eligible individuals without private lawyers).
• Clerk of court (for case status and court dates).
• Sheriff’s office (for jail-related questions).
• Probation or parole offices (for supervision concerns).

Common Atlanta-area court systems include:

• Fulton County Superior Court (felony and serious matters in Fulton).
• Fulton County State Court (certain misdemeanors and civil matters).
• Atlanta Municipal Court (city ordinance violations and traffic in the City of Atlanta).
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (federal cases).

For specific legal advice or strategy, a licensed attorney in Georgia is the appropriate contact.

Practical Tips If You’re Navigating the Atlanta Prison/Jail System

• Clarify the charge type:

  • City ordinance? Likely city or county jail.
  • State offense? County jail or Georgia state prison.
  • Federal offense? Possibly USP Atlanta or another BOP facility.

• Confirm the county:
  Many Atlanta addresses sit near county lines. Knowing whether an incident happened in Fulton, DeKalb, or another county will save time.

• Keep records handy:
  Full legal name, date of birth, case number, or booking number help staff find information quickly.

• Expect policies to change:
  Rules around visitation, phone calls, and facility use can change, especially for city-run centers. When in doubt, call the facility or check its most recent published rules.

• Use official sources:
  For the most accurate information, rely on:

  • Sheriff’s offices (for jails)
  • Georgia Department of Corrections (for state prisons)
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons (for USP Atlanta)

Understanding how Atlanta’s jails, state prisons, and the federal Atlanta prison fit together can make a difficult situation more manageable, whether you live in the city, are visiting, or are trying to help someone involved in the system.