Richmond County Inmate Population Search
The Richmond County inmate population has reached 1,320 people in a facility built for 1,066. That is 123.8% capacity, making this one of the most overcrowded jails in Georgia. Of those 1,320 inmates, 1,097 are awaiting trial, which is 83.1% of the total. Richmond County is home to Augusta, the second-largest metro area in the state. The scale of the jail population reflects the size and challenges of this urban county. Here is how to search for someone held here.
Richmond County Quick Facts
Richmond County Inmate Population Data
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office runs the Charles B. Webster Detention Center in Augusta. This is a large facility that serves the entire consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government. With 1,320 inmates packed into a space designed for 1,066, the jail operates well over its rated capacity. That is 254 more people than the building should hold. Overcrowding at this level strains every part of the operation, from medical services to bed space to meal preparation.
The pre-trial population drives the crowding. A total of 1,097 inmates have not been convicted yet. They are waiting for court dates, plea deals, or trials. That is 83.1% of everyone in the jail. The sheer volume of pending cases in Augusta's courts keeps the jail packed. Some people wait months for their cases to move forward. Others cannot afford the bond amounts set by judges.
Augusta is a major city. Richmond County has about 206,000 residents, and the metro area is even larger. The jail reflects the realities of policing and prosecution in an urban setting. High arrest volumes, a busy court docket, and limited jail space create a constant squeeze. The sheriff's office manages it day by day.
| Facility | Charles B. Webster Detention Center |
|---|---|
| Location | Augusta (Richmond County seat) |
| Current Inmates | 1,320 of 1,066 capacity (123.8% - OVER) |
| Awaiting Trial | 1,097 inmates (83.1%) |
How to Search Richmond County Inmates
The GDC Offender Query is the main free tool for finding inmates in Georgia's state prison system. Enter a name or GDC ID number and the database returns current facility data, sentences, and mugshots. For someone from Richmond County who has been sentenced to state prison, this is the right place to look. People still at the county jail on local charges may not appear in this system.
Below is the GDC search form that anyone can access at no cost.
Use the form above to search state records tied to Richmond County.
VINELink covers the Richmond County jail and most other county facilities in Georgia. Search by name and the system shows custody status. You can register for alerts to get notified by phone, email, or text when an inmate is released or transferred. Updates come through roughly every 15 minutes. With 1,320 inmates, the Richmond County roster changes frequently.
The Richmond County Sheriff's Office can confirm if someone is currently in custody. Given the size of this jail, they handle a high volume of calls. Be ready to provide the person's full name and date of birth for the fastest results.
Richmond County Inmate Population Records
Under O.C.G.A. 50-18-70, the public has the right to request most government records in Georgia. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office must respond within three business days. You can ask for booking logs, arrest reports, and other inmate-related documents. Copies cost ten cents per page for standard records.
O.C.G.A. 50-18-72 restricts access to some files. Housing assignments and discipline records at state facilities are exempt from public release. Medical records require the inmate's written consent. For state prison records about a Richmond County offender, use the GDC Open Records Portal to file a request and get a tracking number.
Probation records stay confidential under O.C.G.A. 42-8-40. Parole records follow O.C.G.A. 42-9-53. In a county as large as Richmond, these restrictions affect a significant number of records requests each year.
Richmond County Inmate Population Alerts
VINELink is free and covers the Richmond County Detention Center. Find an inmate, then register for alerts. Choose phone, email, or text. When the person's status changes, the system notifies you right away. You need a four-digit PIN for phone alerts. If you miss a call, VINELink tries again for 24 hours.
With over 1,300 inmates, status changes happen every day in Richmond County. Releases, transfers, and new bookings are constant. VINELink helps you keep track without having to call the jail repeatedly. For support, reach VINELink at (833) 216-6670.
Visiting Inmates in Richmond County
The Richmond County Detention Center in Augusta has a set visiting schedule. Contact the sheriff's office for current days, times, and rules. A valid photo ID is required. Expect a dress code and time limits on visits. Because the facility is so large and overcrowded, processing visitors can take longer than at smaller jails. Arrive early and be patient.
If someone from Richmond County has been transferred to a state prison, the visiting process changes entirely. You must submit a GDC Visitation Request Form, get it notarized, and mail it to the facility. Include a copy of your photo ID. Processing takes several weeks. Email submissions are not accepted by the GDC.
Augusta and Richmond County Inmates
Richmond County and the City of Augusta share a consolidated government. If someone is arrested in Augusta, they go to the Richmond County Detention Center. There is no separate city jail. This means all Augusta arrests flow through the same facility and the same booking process. Whether the arrest happened downtown or in a rural part of the county, the destination is the same jail.
Augusta is the largest city in Richmond County and the second-largest metro area in Georgia. The population and crime rates that come with a city of this size directly affect the jail's numbers. The 123.8% capacity rate reflects the pressures of serving a major urban area.
Richmond County Inmate Population Resources
The Georgia Sheriffs' Association Jail Report covers Richmond County in its monthly data releases. It tracks capacity, inmate counts, and pre-trial percentages. Richmond County's numbers are among the highest in the state, so they stand out in the report each month.
For people on probation or parole tied to Richmond County, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision is the right contact. DCS manages about 180,000 offenders across Georgia and oversees people who have been released from custody under supervision.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Richmond County. If someone is not at the detention center in Augusta, they may have been transferred to a nearby facility. Check these counties as well.