McDuffie County Inmate Population

McDuffie County operates a large jail in Thomson that holds 128 inmates in a facility built for 250. The McDuffie County inmate population includes a very high share of pretrial detainees, with 83.6% still waiting for their case to move through the courts. Searching for someone held here starts with a call to the sheriff or a quick check through state databases. The GDC offender search and VINELink both cover this county. This page breaks down how to find inmates in McDuffie County, what records you can request, and the tools available to the public for tracking custody status.

McDuffie County Inmate Population Overview

The McDuffie County Sheriff runs the jail in Thomson. It is a 250-bed facility, one of the larger jails for a county this size in Georgia. Right now, 128 people are in custody. That puts the jail at 51.2% capacity. Plenty of room remains, but the numbers tell a more complex story. Of those 128 inmates, 107 are waiting for trial. That is 83.6% of the total McDuffie County inmate population. It means the vast majority of people in this jail have not been convicted of any crime.

The sheriff handles all daily operations. Staff process bookings at all hours, record charges, and manage releases. The 250-bed capacity means McDuffie County sometimes holds inmates from other counties under housing agreements. The jail also serves as a holding point for people waiting to transfer to state custody after sentencing. Thomson is the county seat and the only city of any size in the area.

Find McDuffie County Inmate Population

Start your search at the GDC Find an Offender page. This free tool covers everyone in state custody or under supervision. Type a name and it returns results with the inmate's current facility, sentence, and photo. For people convicted in McDuffie County and sent to state prison, this is the fastest way to find them.

The GDC Offender Query tool adds filters for county of conviction, crime type, and sentence range. Both tools are free and work any time. No login is needed. For recent arrests at the county level, the GDC may not have a record yet. In that case, call the McDuffie County Sheriff. Staff can confirm custody, charges, and bond amount.

The screenshot above shows the GDC search tool that covers McDuffie County and all other Georgia counties.

McDuffie County Victim Alerts

VINELink Georgia covers the McDuffie County Jail. Search by name and the system shows whether someone is in custody. You can sign up for alerts by phone, text, or email. When the inmate is released or moved, you get a notification right away. The service is free and updates frequently throughout the day.

To register for alerts, you need a phone number and a four-digit PIN. VINELink will try to reach you for up to 24 hours if you miss the first call. Anyone can search. You do not have to be a victim of a crime. This makes VINELink one of the most useful tools for tracking the McDuffie County inmate population.

McDuffie County Inmate Population Records

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, you have the right to request jail records from the McDuffie County Sheriff. The law requires a response within three business days. You can ask for booking logs, arrest reports, and inmate population data. Copies cost ten cents per page for standard records.

Not every record is open. O.C.G.A. § 50-18-72 lists exemptions that include internal reports and medical files. Probation records are confidential under O.C.G.A. § 42-8-40. Parole records have similar limits under O.C.G.A. § 42-9-53. Basic data about who is in the McDuffie County Jail and their charges is public. For state records, use the GDC Open Records Portal.

Pretrial Detainees in McDuffie County

The 83.6% pretrial rate at the McDuffie County Jail is well above the state average of about 68%. Out of 128 inmates, 107 have not been convicted. They are in the jail because they could not post bail, a judge ordered them held, or their case is still working through the courts. That is a large number for a 250-bed facility.

A high pretrial rate means the county spends more money housing people who have not been found guilty. Each inmate costs the county daily for food, medical care, and supervision. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association Jail Report tracks pretrial rates across the state and can show how McDuffie County compares over time. Advocates for bail reform point to numbers like these when pushing for changes to how the system handles pretrial detention.

Note: Pretrial inmates include people held on bond they cannot afford and those awaiting grand jury indictment.

Visiting McDuffie County Inmates

The McDuffie County Jail has visiting rules set by the sheriff. Call ahead to check days, times, and what ID you need. Most Georgia jails require a valid photo ID and enforce a dress code. Some restrict visits to certain days of the week. If the person has been transferred to state prison, visit the GDC visitation page for instructions on how to apply. State visits require a notarized form mailed to the facility.

Nearby Counties

McDuffie County is in east-central Georgia near the South Carolina border. These counties are close by and may hold inmates connected to the area.