Chatham County Jail – Savannah, GA

Chatham County Jail is in Chatham County and is the main correctional facility for this area. Do you know someone at Chatham County Jail? This guide gives you information about anything you might need to know about Chatham County Jail,like: How to locate an inmate. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s address and phone number. Posting bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court records. And lots more.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting situation, not only for whoever gets arrested, but also that person’s family and friends. The goal of this guide is to offer info you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail easier. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask it in the comment section below, and any comments or feedback that would be a benefit to others will be appreciated.

Do you know someone that is incarcerated and need to contact them?

Has somebody who has been arrested and you want to find them?

To look up who is in jail at Chatham County Jail you will need to navigate to their website and perform an inmate lookup.

The Chatham County Jail Inmate Locator has information on persons who are in jail, including status, bail amount (if applicable), and times you can visit. You can find the same information for anybody arrested and booked or released in the past 24-hour period. Jail inmates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to get their inmate information fast if you enter your friend or family member’s first and last name, birth date, or arrest number.

If your friend or loved one could possibly be at another jail you should check our Georgia county jail guide: Other County Jails in Georgia

A mugshot, also called a jail intake photograph, is a picture that the police take when you get processed at jail intake. They will take one and a side photo. Your full name and jail ID number will be on the photos, and they will be kept on file.

Mugshots of people who have been arrested can be found on the website, or you can go in person to the Chatham County Jail. When viewing online you have to input the inmate’s full name, and the arrest date, if you know it.

Are you trying to get your mugshot erased from the Chatham County Jail website? This can be tricky, since your mugshot is public record. You must file a Petition to Expunge in court. This means that your arrest record will be sealed, and will not be available to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

Read our in-depth tutorial about removing your mugshot, the many different mugshot websites, and the mugshot removal services: How To Remove Your Mugshot from the Internet

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Naturally, once you are in jail, your only thought is about getting out. After you’ve gone through booking, your bail is determined by the magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this can mean that you will either be released, or you must remain in jail until your trial.

If you are released from jail you will have to agree to be there for your court date, and until that day you are required not to leave the area.

In most cases, an inmate can earn time off for good behavior when they respect the rules and don’t cause any problems while they’re in jail.

If you follow the rules, you may be allowed to do work release. Either you will have to stay the jail at the end of the day after work, or you could get to live in a halfway house when you are not working.

Your bail is money that you have to pay to be released from jail until your trial. The amount of bail that is set depends on how serious your crime is. Someone you know will need to post 10 percent of the total set in order to bail out of jail. If you fail to show up for court, that person will lose that bail money.

To find out someone’s bail amount you need to call the jail. If know the person’s info, including name, address and date of birth, they will tell you what their bail is set at. You can also check their bail amount and status on the Chatham County Jail site.

Having to bail a friend or family member out of jail is never a fun thing, but thankfully, it is easy if you have the money. First, you have to find out if it is a Cash Only Bond. If so, you can’t get a bail bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they won’t accept a check. Once the cash bond has been paid, the person will be released. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, the bail money you posted will be returned to you.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you should look into the services of a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally have a fee of 10-15% of total bail, and in most cases charge a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and is typically cash only. If their bail has been set particularly high, the bail bondsman may require that they use assets as collateral in addition to the fee they charge.

You can find a local bail bondsman click here: How to find a bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bondsman for someone you know or yourself? If so, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out for you.

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• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Released For Time Served
• Get Out on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• Get Out on House Arrest
• Get Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The intake process is made up of the following steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If the jail is really busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first step is that you must answer some questions, like what is your legal name, street address, date of birth and a contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your psychological and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will get taken away from you and will be stored until you are released.
• You will then be allowed to make a phone call in order to get in touch with a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you might be able to wear your own clothes, if not you will have to wear a jail issued jumpsuit.

Have you been arrested and gone through jail intake? If so, please share your experience so others can benefit from your story. How long did you have to wait? How were you treated? Can you tell us secrets that will help other people make it through jail processing?

Speak Your Mind

Once bail has been posted, you will get released from jail. This process will take anywhere from 30 minutes to all day long. Or, simply, the quicker you post bail, the quicker you will get let go. It also can depend on if you’ve got a cash bond or if the judge still needs to decide on how much your bail will be. For a minor offense, you will simply be booked and released on your own recognizance. When you have served your sentence and have a date of your release, you should plan to be released anywhere between the hours of 9am and 12pm.

issued for your arrest, or if you have to start your sentence, you should follow the rules and go down to the jail and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, go down to the jail processing area, and tell an officer that think that there is a warrant for your arrest. The officer will verify that you have an outstanding arrest warrant, and if there is one, they will take you into custody. If you are reporting to serve out your sentence, report at the time and date that the sentence order lists. Be very careful that you aren’t late. Make sure that you only bring approved items when you go to jail, like your driver’s license or even state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, and the copy of the sentencing order.

In order to have visitors, inmates must give each visitor’s name and date of birth to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitor’s information will be put into a Visiting log as an approved visitor. Each visitor has to provide acceptable photo identification when visiting an inmate. Anyone showing up late or that is not an approved visitor will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures frequently change, so visit the jail site before you visit an inmate.

The only phone calls that inmates are allowed to make are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are generally more expensive than phone calls made at home. There are certain restrictions about how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you break the rules, phone privileges might get reduced or eliminated altogether.

Phone Number: 912-652-7700

All mail must be sent via US Postal Service. You must not use any other form of mail delivery. Clearly print the prisoner’s name, inmate ID number, and jail address on the letter. Don’t send anything in a box or package, padded envelope, bag, or an envelope with metal in it. Any mail sent to inmates is opened and read and examined by the staff, and will be sent back if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

Use this address when sending a letter to an inmate at Chatham County Jail:

Chatham County Jail
1050 Carl Griffin Drive
Savannah, GA 31405

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Chatham County Jail
1050 Carl Griffin Drive
Savannah, GA 31405

The inmate mail policy at Chatham County Jail changes often, so we suggest that you double check the official Chatham County Jail site before send a letter to someone in jail there.

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If you get arrested, you have rights, one of these is the right to request an attorney. You only get so many phone calls when you get arrested, so make sure you have a friend or family member find an attorney when you talk to them. You’re probably asking yourself ‘do I really need an attorney?’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, a criminal defense lawyer will make sure you know your rights, help protect your best interests and guide you through the criminal justice system in your county. The quicker you get a lawyer involved with your charges, the better.

For more detailed information on how to find a lawyer, click: How to Find a Lawyer in Chatham County

If you can’t afford a lawyer, you will be assigned a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender is staffed by independent investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social case workers. You should be reassured that Public Defenders are real attorneys that are members of the State Bar and are legally licensed to practice law in Georgia.

Have you ever had to use a Public Defender? Are you satisfied with how they handled your case and represented you in court?

Court records are a matter of public record. They are comprised of a court case file with a docket and all of the documents and motions filed during your court case. You, and anyone else, can access your court records via the website, or by going to the Clerk’s office of the Court where the case was filed.

The Chatham County Clerk of Court is an official part of the court that manages court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath when court is in session, and also read the jury’s verdict. All court records associated with your case are kept at Clerk of Court.

Court costs and court fees are the charges and fees associated with your case, for example filing charges, motion and claim fees, and court appearance fees. If you cannot afford these fees and have a Public Defender, you may not have to pay the fees.

The Chatham County court magistrate acts as the judge who presides over your case in court. Magistrates are judges that do different functions, such as setting your bail amount, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing initial court appearances and detention proceedings.

A pre-sentencing report is completed to include background information and as much detail about the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate judge will take into account when decide your sentence. Information will be gathered from the defendant, the defendant’s family, and in some cases the victim of the crime. Be sure to remember that you can request to see a copy of the report before your sentencing, and go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

When you are convicted of a crime, you will be given a sentence for your crime. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, ranging from community service, house arrest, and probation, to even incarceration in either jail (short term) or prison (long term). Depending on sentencing guidelines and the severity of your crime, you may be taken into custody, right there in court, or given a date to go to jail to serve out your sentence.

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Are you trying to find out if some you know is incarcerated in jail, or has gone to jail in the past?

To do this, you need to access the Chatham County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and search by:

• Their name.
• Birthdate.
• Their approximate booking date.
• and their jail ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you should call the jail to find out.

If you think you might have an outstanding warrant, you can access arrest warrants on the website or you can call the jail directly. This requires a first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask the officer in charge. You should know that if there is a warrant for your arrest, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know the person’s name, as well as the date of their arrest, contact the jail, by phone, in person, or find out online. Records of arrests are a matter of public record and this information is freely available.

Civil processes are when you get served with papers, like a court order. You can find these by getting in touch with the Chatham County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All convicted sex offenders are required to be registered and listed on both a national and state sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been tried by jury and convicted in a court of law of a sex crime. You are able to view sex offenders on the website, but remember that you can’t see the actual address, but only the block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public, and are accessible by anyone. Court Records include a case file that contains a docket sheet and all of the documents and filings filed in the court case. You are able to access the court records on the internet, or at Clerk of Court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each and every state keeps a record of people’s criminal background. These databases are all linked so you are able to track criminal histories from any other state. You can go to courthouse and inquire, or check online. It helps to know the county, and if it was in a different state, you might have to pay for a more complete search.

When you look up a person’s criminal records you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for the following crimes:

• DUI.
• Drug Possession of Drug Trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes.
• Breaking and entering, theft, larceny.

When you do a criminal history search, in most cases will not find if someone has had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding tickets.
• Lost their driver’s license or license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Minor infractions or moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To get driving records, you have to do a search for their driving record.

Have you ever had to search for criminal records of someone you know? How easy was it? Did you search online or did you make a phone call to the courthouse? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that people look up criminal records, and your account might help other people.

Click here to post a comment

Most Wanted

On a Federal level, the FBI keeps a list of the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. In Chatham County,The Sheriff’s Department has a list of most wanted criminals, too.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List: External Link

Chatham County Top Ten Most Wanted List: Link


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Everyone knows that spending time in the Chatham County jail is very scary, you will soon settle into the daily routine. You should expect an alarm for wake-up at about 6:00 AM, and then roll call. After roll call you will have breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will be required to work in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Chatham County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Chatham County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending money to someone in jail is always changing, so be sure to visit the the Chatham County Jail website before send money to someone in jail there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Chatham County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Chatham County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Chatham County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to post a comment


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• The right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

Click here to tell about all about it

Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever spent any time in this jail? Do you have a family member or friend that is a prisoner there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate there?

If so, then we would like you to leave a comment below about it. Tell us about your experience so that others can find out what to expect.

Things you might want to put in the review:

• Conditions in Chatham County Jail.
• Jail and pod facility and layout
• Guards and staff
• Commissary and food
• Visitation
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Inmate safety
• Gangs
• Activities and programs


Click here to write your review

Tell Your Story

Anybody that’s ever been locked up has a story about it. How’d you end up in jail? Were you fairly treated? How was day to day life at Chatham County Jail? What were the other inmates like? How did it affect you to go to jail?

Tell Your Story About Chatham County Jail

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Want to get in touch with a friend from jail? Post a message to them below.

Post a message to people still locked up at Chatham County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Chatham County Jail Link
Chatham County Jail Inmate Search
Chatham County Jail Mugshots
Chatham County Jail Bail Link

Chatham County Jail Visitation Procedures
Chatham County Jail Jail Mail Policy Link
Locate an inmate at Chatham County Jail
Chatham County Warrant Inquiry
Chatham County Jail Arrest Lookup
Send Money to an Inmate at Chatham County Jail
Chatham County Jail Jobs


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