Search Pierce County Inmate Population
The Pierce County inmate population sits at 130 people in a jail built to hold 165. That puts the facility at 78.8% capacity, which is fairly typical for a county this size in south Georgia. Most of the people locked up here are waiting for trial. In fact, 116 out of 130 inmates have not been convicted yet. That is 89.2% of the jail population. If you need to find someone held in Pierce County, this page covers the free tools and steps that get you there fast.
Pierce County Quick Facts
Pierce County Inmate Population Data
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office runs the jail in Blackshear, the county seat. The facility holds people arrested on local charges along with those waiting for court dates. With 130 inmates and a 165-bed capacity, the jail has some room but is not far from full. Daily operations include booking, classification, and release processing. Staff work around the clock to manage the inmate population and keep the facility running.
A striking fact about Pierce County is its pre-trial rate. Nearly nine out of ten inmates have not been convicted. They sit in jail waiting for hearings, plea deals, or trials. This is above the state average of about 68%. High pre-trial numbers can mean slower court processing or difficulty posting bond. Whatever the cause, it shapes who is in the jail at any given time.
To reach the jail, call the Pierce County Sheriff's Office in Blackshear. Staff can confirm if someone is in custody and share bond details. You can also ask about visiting hours and rules for sending mail or money to an inmate.
| Facility | Pierce County Jail |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Blackshear |
| Current Inmates | 130 of 165 capacity (78.8%) |
| Awaiting Trial | 116 inmates (89.2%) |
How to Search Pierce County Inmates
The GDC Offender Query is the main free tool for finding inmates in Georgia's state system. Type in a name or GDC ID and the database pulls up current facility assignments, sentence lengths, and photos. This works well for anyone who has been sentenced to state prison. For people held at the Pierce County Jail on local charges, the GDC search may not show them since they have not entered the state system yet.
You can check the GDC Offender Query page for state-level records tied to Pierce County. The screenshot below shows what the search tool looks like when you first open it.
The image above shows the GDC search form. Enter a first and last name to start.
Another option is VINELink. This tool covers county jails across Georgia. Search by name and select the state. VINELink shows custody status and lets you sign up for alerts. If an inmate is released or moved, the system sends you a phone call, text, or email. Updates come through about every 15 minutes for most county facilities.
Calling the jail is still the most direct route. Phone the Pierce County Sheriff's Office and ask about a specific person. Staff can tell you if someone is booked, what the charges are, and what bond has been set. This is especially useful for recent arrests that may not show up in online systems yet.
Pierce County Inmate Population Records
Georgia law gives the public a right to most government records. Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, any agency must respond to a records request within three business days. This includes the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. You can ask for booking logs, arrest reports, and other documents related to the inmate population. Copies cost ten cents per page.
Not all records are open. O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 blocks access to certain files like housing assignments and disciplinary records at state facilities. Medical records need written consent from the inmate. If you need records from a state prison about someone tied to Pierce County, use the GDC Open Records Portal to submit your request online.
Probation records fall under O.C.G.A. 42-8-40 and stay confidential. Parole records follow O.C.G.A. 42-9-53 with similar limits. These rules mean some data about offenders in Pierce County will not be available through a public request, no matter how you ask for it.
Custody Alerts for Pierce County Inmates
VINELink is free and covers the Pierce County Jail. Once you find an inmate in the system, register for alerts. You pick how you want to be reached. Options include phone, email, and text. The system calls you when something changes, like a release or transfer. You will need a four-digit PIN when you register a phone number.
If VINELink calls and you miss it, the system tries again for 24 hours. You can also check the website any time to see the current status. For help with VINELink, call (833) 216-6670.
Visiting Inmates in Pierce County
The Pierce County Jail sets its own visiting schedule. Call the sheriff's office for current days and times. Most jails in Georgia require a valid photo ID and have a dress code. Minors usually need to come with a parent or legal guardian. Show up on time because late arrivals are often turned away. Visits can be short, sometimes just 15 to 30 minutes, so make the most of your time.
If someone from Pierce County ends up in a state prison, the visiting process changes. You need to fill out a GDC Visitation Request Form and mail it to the facility. The form must be notarized. Include a copy of your ID and any supporting documents like a marriage license. Processing takes several weeks, so do not wait until the last minute. Email submissions are not accepted.
Pierce County Inmate Population Resources
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association Jail Report tracks jail data across the state each month. It covers capacity, inmate counts, and the share of inmates awaiting trial. Pierce County data shows up when the jail reports for that period. The report is a good way to see how the local jail stacks up against others in the region.
For people on probation or parole connected to Pierce County, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision is the right contact. DCS manages about 180,000 adult felony offenders across the state after they leave custody. They do not run jails, but they oversee people who have been released into the community under supervision. If someone you are looking for is no longer in custody, DCS may have their records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Pierce County or sit close by. If you cannot find someone at the Pierce County Jail, check the neighboring facilities. Transfers between counties happen regularly in this part of Georgia.