Chatham County GA Detention Center

You can support your loved ones at Chatham Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 912-652-7634.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Chatham Co Jail is a detention center located at 1050 Carl Griffin Dr Savannah, GA which is operated locally by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Chatham County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Savannah Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals. You can see all the arrest records for Georgia here.

The Corrections Bureau of the Chatham County Sheriff's Office has undergone significant changes over the past three decades. Initially, for 90 years, the jail was situated on Habersham Street adjacent to the Police Department, with a capacity of approximately 300 inmates and an average daily occupancy of about 270. The daily female inmate population was around 18, a figure that contrasts sharply with the 167 average daily female population recorded in 2004.

In 1978, the jail was relocated to Montgomery Street beside the Chatham County Judicial Complex, offering a capacity of 381 inmates. However, this facility quickly proved inadequate, leading to the imposition of a federal court order that capped the inmate population. To comply, an expansion was necessary. By 1988, the Chatham County Detention Center was established off Chatham Parkway, followed by an expansion in 1989 to accommodate the growing influx of inmates.

Recognizing the persistent issue of overcrowding, a state-of-the-art facility was planned and constructed adjacent to the Detention Center. The Chatham County Sheriff's Complex, completed in 1993, integrated the Detention Center into a unified five-unit facility with a capacity of 1,224 beds. This was expected to manage the inmate population adequately until 2010. However, the facility has been operating at or above capacity since 1999, prompting the Sheriff's Office to explore alternatives to incarceration.

In response to the escalating population, Chatham County contracted with Deboer Vining in 2005 to provide a 300-bed temporary housing unit, aimed at alleviating overcrowding. At that time, the average daily population at the Detention Center had surged to 1,455 inmates, exceeding the facility’s designed capacity by 231. This temporary measure was intended as a stopgap solution.

As the inmate population continued to rise, the Sheriff's Office and the Board of Commissioners initiated efforts to secure funding for a more permanent expansion. A comprehensive evaluation and needs assessment conducted by the Facility Group in collaboration with the Polote Corporation identified a phased approach to expanding the Detention Center's capacity. The plan proposed adding 769 beds in the initial phase to the existing 1,224 permanent beds, aiming for a total capacity of 1,993 beds by the completion of this phase, anticipated for late 2011 or early 2012. Ultimately, the goal is to expand the total inmate capacity to 2,774 beds by 2025.

The expansion project not only includes the construction of additional bed space but also encompasses necessary enhancements to programmatic and support areas. This includes increased kitchen capacity, warehouse space, commissary, medical facilities, a Receiving and Discharge Unit, laundry, and engineering services. Significant features of the expansion include the addition of a Video Visitation Center and two courtrooms with public access, as well as expanded space for work environments strained by the rising inmate population and staff levels.

By 2008, the average daily population at the Chatham County Detention Center had reached 1,739 inmates. In response, the Sheriff's Office continues to plan for future needs while also exploring diversion programs such as work release and mental health treatment alternatives to reduce incarceration rates.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

The Chatham County Sheriff's Department Work Release Program, initiated in November 2007 under the leadership of the late Sheriff Al St. Lawrence, operates as a critical division within the Department. Its primary mission is to foster an environment where participants learn responsibility and engage in lawful employment. This program is part of a broader suite of initiatives aimed at promoting discipline, personal growth, education, and responsibility among detainees.

Participants in the Work Release Program must meet specific qualifications. Eligibility is extended to individuals who are delinquent in child support payments and who have been recommended by the courts. Prospective participants must have completed at least seventy-two hours at the Sheriff's Complex, possess no “holds” or retainers from other jurisdictions, including other states, counties, probation, or parole. They must not be the subject of any active criminal investigation and should have no violent felony or drug trafficking charges. Additionally, candidates must pass both a medical physical and mental health evaluation conducted at the Sheriff's Complex.

Once accepted into the program, participants are required to adhere to a set of guidelines designed to ensure accountability and success. They must submit to regular alcohol and drug screenings and are expected to secure and maintain gainful employment within thirty days. Continued employment is mandatory until their release by the courts. Case managers are authorized to visit work sites to monitor compliance and progress. Participants are required to show respect and cooperate with the Sheriff's Department staff and fellow program participants, abide by all departmental rules and regulations, and commit to achieving the goals set by the courts.

The Work Release Program is supported by Sheriff John T. Wilcher and the dedicated staff of the Chatham County Sheriff's Department, who are committed to the well-being of the community and to building relationships with employers. The program not only facilitates the personal development of detainees but also benefits their families and the broader community by enabling a constructive and rehabilitative approach to incarceration.