If someone you love is locked up in a Georgia state prison, mail still goes directly to the facility where they are housed. The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has not moved to a centralized digital mail scanner. Each of GDC's facilities has its own mailing address, and the address must include the inmate's full name and their GDC state ID number - leave either out and the mail is likely to be rejected or undeliverable.
Georgia is one of the largest prison systems in the country, with nearly 60,000 incarcerated adults across 35 state prisons. It also has 159 county jails, each run independently by the county sheriff with its own rules. This article covers GDC state prisons. County jails are addressed at the end.
Sending mail - letters, cards, photos
Mail goes directly to the facility where the inmate is housed. Every piece of mail must include a complete address:
Inmate's full name
State I.D. number (GDC number)
Unabbreviated institution name
Post office box
City, state, and zip code
Your full return address
Do not abbreviate the facility name. If mail lacks a return address, undeliverable mail cannot be returned to you.
Find the inmate's current facility and GDC number using the GDC Offender Query at services.gdc.ga.gov. Then find that facility's mailing address using the GDC Facility Search at gdc.georgia.gov.
All non-privileged incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection and random reading by correctional staff. Staff look for escape plots, plans for illegal activity, security threats, and contraband.
Photos may be included in the envelope with your letter. They are subject to the same inspection as all other mail. No Polaroids. No explicit content. No items glued, taped, or attached to photos.
Sending publications - magazines and books
Inmates may receive a limited number of books, periodicals, and newspapers, provided the publications are received directly from the publisher or directly from an established retailer. You cannot mail a publication yourself - it must ship from the source.
Each Warden or Superintendent may set a limit on the number of publications an inmate may receive, based on space and accommodation at that facility. Publications that could threaten institutional security, or that contain obscene material, may be excluded.
Privileged and legal mail
Privileged mail - correspondence with attorneys, courts, legislators, the Governor, press, and other government officials - is handled separately. Privileged mail may be externally inspected for contraband but is opened only in the inmate's presence. It cannot be restricted as a disciplinary measure.
Outgoing privileged mail must reflect the recipient's name and official address on the envelope. For press mail, the name of the publication must appear on the envelope as the return address.
Packages
All packages received at a GDC facility are inspected for contraband. Unauthorized items are removed and returned to the sender; the letter or package itself is still forwarded to the inmate with a record of what was removed.
Packages may be received with prior approval of the Warden or Superintendent, within limits set for that facility. Each Warden publishes Christmas package instructions 30 days before Christmas.
No care packages may be mailed without advance coordination with the specific facility.
Funds by mail
Under Georgia rule 125-3-3-.05, inmates may receive funds only in the form of United States Postal Money Orders, cashier's checks, or money orders from companies licensed to sell money orders in Georgia. Personal checks, business checks, and cash are not acceptable and will not be credited to inmate accounts.
For faster deposit options - JPay online, MoneyGram at retail locations, or phone deposits - see the separate How to Send Money to a Georgia Inmate article.
MoneyGram Receiver Code for GDC: 6857. The account number format is the GDC number followed immediately by the inmate's last name with no space (for example, if the GDC number is 12345 and the last name is Smith, the account is 12345Smith).
Electronic messaging and phone calls
GDC uses JPay for electronic messaging and email to inmates. Inmates receive messages through the JPay tablet or kiosk system. Visit jpay.com to create an account and send messages or photos electronically.
Phone calls from GDC facilities are managed through JPay as well. Inmates may call outgoing to pre-approved numbers on their calling list.
Georgia county jails - 159 independent systems
Georgia has 159 counties, each with its own jail operated by the county sheriff. County jails are entirely independent of GDC and set their own mail rules, vendors, and addresses. Rules vary widely across counties.
Larger county jail systems in Georgia include Fulton County Jail (Atlanta), Gwinnett County, Cobb County, and DeKalb County. Many Georgia county jails route non-legal mail through third-party scanning vendors such as JailATM or TextBehind, with mail going to a PO Box rather than the jail address. Always confirm current mail rules with the specific county sheriff's office before sending anything.
What to know before you send anything
Mail goes directly to the GDC facility - no central scanner or PO Box. Find the facility mailing address at gdc.georgia.gov.
Every piece of mail must include the inmate's full name, GDC state ID number, the unabbreviated facility name, and your full return address.
Photos in the envelope are allowed - subject to standard inspection.
Publications must ship directly from the publisher or an established retailer. You cannot mail them yourself.
Packages need advance Warden approval at most facilities.
Funds by mail: US Postal Money Orders, cashier's checks, or licensed money orders only. No personal checks, no cash.
County jails use completely separate rules - confirm with the specific county sheriff.
Related pages:
/prisons/georgia
How to send money to a Georgia inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Georgia DOC inmate?
Directly to the facility where they are housed. Find the facility address at gdc.georgia.gov using the Facility Search. Include the inmate's full name, GDC state ID number, unabbreviated institution name, PO box, city/state/zip, and your return address.
Does Georgia use a centralized mail scanning vendor?
No. GDC mail goes directly to each facility. There is no Tampa or Las Vegas PO Box for Georgia state prisons.
What is the GDC state ID number?
The GDC number is the identification number assigned to each inmate by the Georgia Department of Corrections. It is required on all mail. Find it using the GDC Offender Query at services.gdc.ga.gov.
Can I send photos?
Yes - include them in the envelope with your letter. Photos are subject to the same inspection as all other mail. No explicit content, no Polaroids, no items attached to photos.
How do I send books or magazines?
Send directly from the publisher or established retailer. You cannot mail publications yourself. The Warden at each facility may set limits on the number allowed.
How do I send a package?
Packages require prior Warden or Superintendent approval. Contact the specific facility before sending anything. Unauthorized items will be removed and returned to the sender.
What funds can I mail to an inmate?
US Postal Money Orders, cashier's checks, or money orders from Georgia-licensed companies only. No personal or business checks. No cash.
How do I send money electronically?
Through JPay at jpay.com, or MoneyGram using Receiver Code 6857. Account number is GDC number immediately followed by last name with no space (e.g., 12345Smith).
Do county jail rules match GDC rules?
No. Georgia's 159 county jails each operate independently under the county sheriff with their own mail rules, addresses, and vendors. Many use JailATM or TextBehind. Confirm with the specific county. ====================================================================
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