Heard County Sheriff's Office

The Heard County Jail houses individuals for violating Georgia Criminal Code and for those persons who have been arrested for felony and misdemeanor crimes.

The Heard County Jail operates on the promise that all inmates in our custody are human beings, and while incarcerated are entitled to humane, fair and impartial treatment.

In essence, Detention Officers are part of a large and complex operation that requires specific performance at a given time and place.  As Detention Officers we become responsible for providing proper and sanitary housing and living conditions, well-blaanced meals, medical attention and for their safekeeping and welfare while in custody.  We must conduct ourselves in word andin action so that every inmate has the opportunity to preserve his/her dignity and self-respect.  As Detention Officers we must maintain security and safety procedures while guaranteeing each individual these rights.

As Deputy Sheriffs and Detention Officers we have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution and all the laws of the land.

The Heard County Jail is a modern facility with a housing capacity of 70 inmates.  We occasionaly house inidividuals for other jurisdictions.  This jail is manned 24 hours a day by a staff of trained and state certified Detention Officers.

Fingerprint Service

The Heard County Jail provides fingerprinting services for firearm permit applicants, foster parents, employment, beer, wine and liquor license, fire department and Board of Education.

Work Detail Inmates

We offer a work detail to inmates who have non-violent charges with a county sentence or who are incarcerated for probation violations.  Work detail carries out 1 road crew each day that picks up trash along county roads and various other county work detail.  Supervised inmates handle all laundry, cleaning and other housekeeping chores in the house.  Inmates in the cell blocks are responsible for cleaning their own housing units.

Meals

This facility includes a fully equipped kitchen where balanced, nutritional meals are prepared for the inmates.  A contractor provides the meals; Valley Services; under the supervision of Jail staff.  Inmates supervised by the contractor prepare meals.  All meals are served by the jail staff.

Medical

The jail also has a medical department contracted through Correct Health with a nurse practitioner working under the direction of a doctor.  The jail provides sick call Monday through Friday.  It is the inmate's responsibility to fill out the sick call form each and every time they need medical issues addressed.  A licensed physician and a licensed pyschologist contracted through Correct Health comes to the jail every two weeks to see inmates.  Correct Health provides an on call practitioner list for emergencies or questions.  Immedicate medical emergencies are handled by immediate transport by ambulance to the hospital.  Correct Health also provides for dental care for all inmates.  Any other dental care for inmates that want to pay for their own dental service is handle through the Jail Administrator.  Correct Health also provides for mobile x-ray services that comes to the jail.  Any other care that cannot be done in the jail will be referred to medical specialist through Correct Health.  Medical issues can not be discussed with anyone other than the inmate.  Strict confidentiality is maintained.  The medical department can not discuss any issues with any family member or give any advice.  To contact our medical department call:  Suzanne Ramey (706) 675-3329 ext. 106

Religious Services

This facility conducts a non-denominational religious service once a week for inmates.  This service is organized and handle through George and Anita Davis who can be reached at (770) 854-6103.  They are responsible for the scheduling of ordained ministers who provide these weekly services.  If a minister request to speak with an inmate on a individual basis they must get this approved through the Jail Administrator.

Recreation

Inmates are allowed outdoor recreation four days a week with one hour each of these days as long as weather permits.  Recreation may be canceled for any of ther following:  inclement weather, rule violation or any other time it may be necessary for jail operations.

Mail

All incoming or outgoing mail must have the complete to and from name and address on the envelope. No mail will be allowed that has any extra writing or graphics on the envelopes.  Inmates will not be allowed to send or receive mail from other incarcerated inmates.   All incoming and outgoing mail will be inspected and may be rrandomly ead for informaiton that may constitute a threat to the safety and security of the jail.  Any money orders or certified checks sent to the inmate will be removed from envelope and a receipt will be put in envelope showing the inmate that money was receipted.  Pictures that are sent to inmates must not contain any nudity, depict violence or depict illegal activity.  Any letter with explicit sexual content will not be allowed.  If any mail contains any of the items lited above, the entire envelope and everything in it will be returned to sender.

All mail must be addressed to:                    Heard County                                                                                                                                           (Inmates Name)                                                                                                                                                                                             P.O. Box 339                                                                                                                                                                                                 Franklin, Ga.  30217

Books

Inmates are provided books thorugh our library system provided by the jail.  Inmates are only allowed to have two books in their possession at any time.  Any donation of books must be approved through the Jail Administrator.

Inmate Accounts/Commissary

If an inmate comes to our jail with any money the money is receipted and an account is opened for that inmate.  Any money that is brought in or mailed in to an inmate will be recorded on their account.  In order to order commissary for the week all money must be posted to their account by the end of visitation on Wednesdays.  DO NOT SEND OR BRING CASH for an inmate.  Only send or bring money orders or certified checks.  Make sure the inmate's name is on funds delivered to the jail.

Each inmate may purchase commissary once a week.  Inmates are allowed to spend up to $35.00 per week for commissary items.  Commissary items include:  snacks, personal hygeine items, undergarments, stamps, writing materials and envelopes.  WE DO NOT ACCEPT any of these items from family or friends.  If an inmate does not have any funds available to purchase commissary items then they are listed as indigent and the jail provides one necessary items to them such as, personal hygiene items, stamps, writing material and envelopes.  Snacks are not a necessary item and the jail will not provide this to any indigent inmate.  Commissary privelages can be pulled from an inmate due to disciplinary reasons.

If you have any questions regarding an inmate account please contact:   Anna Cook (706) 675-3329 or by email at:   acook@heardcosheriff.com

Inmate Visitation

Visitation with family members, relatives, and friends will be allowed as posted below.  Visits will not last longer than 20 minutes.  Proper dress is required for visits.  No halter tops, no short shorts, no low cut tops or dresses, no mid-drifts showing.

Each Inmate may designate up to four (4) persons at time at admission process.  The inmate will fill out a visitation form and list the visitors he or she wishes to see.  Victims of a crime which resulted in the incarceration of the inmate will not be allowed to be placed on the visitation form.  Once the inmate fills out the visitation form, and all four (4) slots are used the visitaion form will not be allowed to be changed for at least 6 months unless approved by the Jail Administrator, or if one of the visitors is deceased or moves out of state.

On visitation days only 2 visitors that are on the list will be allowed to visit with inmate.  The staff has the authority to terminate any visit if they feel life the safety and security of the facility is threatened in any way.

Visitation by legal counsel or ministers will be permitted with the authorization of the Jail Administrator.  The visits will be arranged around normal visitation hours.

Contact visit are only allowed for state sentenced inmates who will be going to prison and will be authorized and scheduled by the Jail Administrator.

Visitation for inmates is on Wednesday and Sundays only.  (All visitors must be at Jail 30 minutes prior to scheduled visitation to sign in).  Visitation is as follows according to section inmate is housed in:

• Section "A" Maxium Security           12:00 - 12:20pm
• Section "E" Females                        12:30 -  1:00pm
• Section "C" Minimum Security          1:00 -   2:00pm
• Section "D" Medium Security            2:00 -   3:00pm
• Trustees                                             1:00 -   2:00pm
• Section "B" Work Detail (Males)         7:00 -   7:20pm (Wednesdays)      3:00 - 3:30pm (Sundays)
• Work Detail Females                          7:30 -   7:50pm (Wednesdays)     12:30 -1:00pm (Sundays)