Search Georgia Inmate Population
Georgia inmate population records come from two main sources. The Georgia Department of Corrections tracks inmates in state prisons and facilities. County jails handle their own counts through each sheriff's office. You can search for state inmates with the GDC Offender Search tool online. For county jail data, check with the local sheriff or use VINELink. Georgia has 159 counties, and about 143 of them run jails that hold over 42,000 people at any given time. This page shows you how to find Georgia inmate population data from state databases, county jail rosters, and victim alert tools across the state.
Georgia Inmate Population Quick Facts
Georgia Inmate Population Search Tools
The Georgia Department of Corrections runs the state's main inmate search system. GDC houses adult felons in state prisons across Georgia. You can search by name, GDC ID, or case number. Results show the inmate's current facility, sentence length, and a photo if one is on file. The tool only covers state inmates held in GDC facilities. County jails are tracked by each local sheriff and are not part of this system. The GDC website is where you start any state level inmate population search in Georgia.
The homepage links to the offender search tool, facility info, and family services for Georgia inmates.
The GDC Offender Search page explains the terms of use before you start a search. Photos show up on their own when they are in the system. GDC warns that the data may not be fully accurate at all times. If you need to confirm details, write to Inmate Records at PO Box 1529, Forsyth, GA 31029. That is the official way to verify Georgia inmate population data held by the state. GDC is not liable for errors in the online tool, so use the mail option if you need an official answer about a Georgia inmate.
The search accepts first name, last name, age, and other filters to help narrow your results.
For a more direct route, you can skip the info pages and go straight to the GDC Offender Query search form. This pulls up the search right away.
The direct form works the same way but saves time. It is a good option if you search for Georgia inmate population records on a regular basis and already know how the tool works.
County Jail Inmate Population in Georgia
County jails in Georgia are run by the local sheriff. Each sheriff has full control over the jail in their county. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association tracks jail data across the state. Their reports show that 143 jails hold over 42,000 inmates on any given day. Of those, about 67.9% are waiting for trial. Only 11% are serving a county sentence. The rest are state inmates housed at the county level or held for other reasons. Each county jail operates on its own, so inmate population data, search tools, and access rules vary from one place to the next in Georgia.
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association Jail Report gives a statewide look at jail numbers. It breaks down each county that reports.
The report tracks total inmates, jail capacity, percent of capacity, and how many are awaiting trial in each Georgia county. As of January 2026, 117 jails reported to the association. The total count was 25,487 inmates across those reporting jails. Sixteen jails were over capacity at the time. Some counties like Coweta, Richmond, and Muscogee had more inmates than beds. Others like Screven and Dooly ran well below their limit. This data helps track the overall inmate population picture in Georgia at the county level.
The association site also has links to member sheriffs and contact info for county jails across Georgia.
VINELink Georgia Inmate Alerts
VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free tool that lets you track the custody status of inmates in Georgia. You can search by name or inmate number and sign up for alerts by phone, email, or text. The system is open around the clock. Georgia VINELink covers inmates in both state and county facilities, though not every county takes part. Jails that do participate send updates about every 15 minutes. State prisons update roughly twice a day.
The portal lets you search for Georgia inmates and register for custody change alerts at no cost.
VINELink is also part of a national system. The VINELink national site lets you search for inmates in other states if needed.
The national site covers all states that take part in the VINE network. For Georgia inmate population alerts only, the state portal is the best starting point. When you register for alerts, the inmate does not find out. You can add more than one phone number or email. If VINE calls and no one picks up, it keeps trying for 24 hours. You need a four digit PIN to confirm receipt of the call. For help with the system, visit the VINELink support page or call (833) 216-6670.
The support page covers common questions about how VINE works and how to set up alerts for Georgia inmates.
Open Records for Georgia Inmate Data
Georgia's Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, makes most government records available to the public. This includes many records held by the Georgia Department of Corrections. You can submit a request for inmate population data, facility records, and other documents that are not exempt. GDC has three business days to give you an initial response. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Search and redaction fees are billed at the hourly rate of the lowest paid qualified employee who does the work.
Not all inmate records are open. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72, certain files are exempt from public access. Inmate central office and institutional files are generally not open for public inspection. This includes disciplinary reports, grievances, housing assignments, phone call logs, and security classifications. Medical and mental health records need a HIPAA consent form. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-40, probation records are confidential. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-9-53, pardons and parole records are also confidential. Both need a majority vote from their respective boards to release. These exemptions limit what Georgia inmate population records the public can access.
You can file an open records request through the GDC Open Records Request page. The page explains what is available and what is not.
The page also links to the online request portal where you submit your request.
The GDC Open Records Portal is where you actually file the request online. You create an account and fill out what you need.
The portal tracks your request and lets you know when documents are ready for pick up or download.
For a full look at the statute text, Justia hosts the Georgia Open Records Act in plain language. The broader Georgia Code on Justia covers other statutes related to inmate population records and corrections.
The statute page shows the full legal text of the Open Records Act as it applies to Georgia inmate data.
Justia's Georgia Code section lets you search for other statutes tied to corrections and inmate population rules in the state.
Georgia Correctional Facilities and Inmates
Georgia runs several types of correctional facilities. State prisons hold adult felons at close, medium, and minimum security levels. Transitional centers help inmates prepare for release. Integrated Treatment Facilities focus on substance abuse. Probation Detention Centers serve probation violators. County jails hold pretrial detainees and those serving short sentences. The GDC Facility Directory lists every state and county facility in Georgia.
The directory lets you search by facility name, type, address, or security level. County jails appear in the list but do not have detailed info sheets. For those, you need to contact the county directly.
You can also search by map. The GDC Facility Map shows all facilities on a map of Georgia.
You can zoom in by city, county, or zip code to find the closest facility that holds Georgia inmates. GDC's stated mission is to protect Georgians by running secure facilities and giving offenders a chance at rehabilitation. Their About GDC page covers the agency's mission, core values, and top priorities.
The about page also covers GDC's focus on safe facilities, staff development, and ACA accreditation across the Georgia prison system.
Contact GDC for Georgia Inmate Info
You can reach GDC by phone, email, or their online form. The main number for inmate concerns is (404) 656-4661. Media inquiries go to (478) 992-5247. The Office of Victim Services can be reached at (404) 651-6668. For questions about a specific facility, use the facility search to find that location's direct number. The GDC Contact page has a form you can fill out online, but GDC warns you should not put private information on the form since it is not secure.
For private matters, call the main line at (404) 656-4661 instead of using the online form.
GDC posts answers to common questions on their FAQ page. You can learn how to find an offender, send money, or request a facility tour.
The FAQ section explains that transfer dates are not shared due to security concerns. You can check the Offender Search for current status.
If you want to visit someone in a Georgia state prison, start with the GDC Visitation page. You must fill out a Visitation Request Form and mail it to the facility where the inmate is held. All visitors need to apply regardless of age. Forms must be notarized. Email submissions are not accepted.
The page links to the downloadable form and explains the full process to become an approved visitor at a Georgia facility.
Note: For inmates in county jails, contact that county's sheriff office directly for visitation rules since they differ from state prison policies.
Georgia Community Supervision
The Georgia Department of Community Supervision oversees about 180,000 adult felony offenders on probation and parole. DCS was created by HB 310 in 2015. It took over duties from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. DCS does not manage inmates in jails or prisons. Their focus is on people serving their sentence in the community under supervision. If you are looking for someone who is incarcerated, use the GDC Offender Search or county jail tools rather than DCS.
The DCS site covers probation and parole services. It is separate from the Georgia inmate population search tools used for jails and prisons.
Browse Georgia Inmate Population by County
Each county in Georgia has its own sheriff who runs the local jail. Pick a county below to find jail info, inmate search tools, and contact details for that area.
Inmate Population in Major Georgia Cities
Most Georgia cities rely on the county sheriff for jail services. Pick a city below to find which county handles inmates for that area.