Colwell Probation Detention Center

The Colwell Probation Detention Center is a minimum-security, short-term facility for adult males, located in Blairsville, Georgia. This facility provides probationers a secure, safe, and work-oriented environment, normally for a period of 60 to 120 days.

This facility is a sentencing alternative to jail or prison. It has a highly-structured environment with regimented schedules that include supervised, unpaid work in surrounding communities. Military-style discipline is emphasized.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Colwell Probation Detention Center visiting hours are on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

COVID 19 Modified Visitation

As of July 2021, visitation is allowed at Colwell Probation Detention Center, but there are modified visitation procedures in place due to the COVID 19 pandemic. All visitors must be on their inmate's approved visitation list and must request a visit in advance by accessing the Georgia DOC website.

Scheduling requests must be submitted between 5:00 am on Monday and 5:00 pm on Wednesday for that week’s visitation ONLY.

• Inmates with last names beginning A - L visit on Saturday. Session one is from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and session two is from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
• Inmates with last names beginning M - Z visit on Sunday between 9:00 am - 11:00 am for session one and between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm for session two.

When your request is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. Inmates who are on quarantine or medical isolation status are not allowed visits.

During modified visitation, inmates are allowed one visit every other month. Visits can last a maximum of two hours. No more than two approved visitors are allowed and they must visit at the same time. No visitors under the age of twelve are allowed.

Disposable face masks are provided and must be worn at all times. Seating is socially distanced at twelve feet apart, and barriers separating offenders and loved ones are in place. No physical contact with inmates is allowed. Hand sanitizer is available, and vending machines are closed.

Who Can Visit?

Before you can visit, the inmate must put you on their visiting list first and the Georgia Department of Corrections must approve your application. Visitor applications are available by clicking here. 

Members of an inmate's immediate family (parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, and children) are eligible for visitation approval. 

If you are not considered an immediate family member, you still may be allowed to visit as a significant relationship visitor. However, the inmate must initiate the request.

General Visiting Rules

A photo ID is required to enter the visiting room. Visitors can only bring the following items to a visit:

• Photo ID
• A maximum of $20.00 in coins for the vending machines, and 
• A set of car keys 

Food or drink from the outside is not allowed at Colwell Probation Detention Center, and you can't bring items to give to an inmate. All visitors are subject to a search of their person by electronic surveillance instruments, including a metal detector. All items brought into the facility by a visitor will be searched. Personal contact is permitted only at the beginning and end of the visit.

Dress Code

Visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing in the visiting room. Shoes are required of all visitors -- including children -- at all times. 

Male visitors are required to wear shirts and full-length pants. Female visitors are required to wear foundation type garments such as bras and panties. Any clothing that is suggestive or revealing in any way is prohibited.

Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to: 

• Dresses that expose shoulders or the chest area
• Dresses, skirts, or other similar garments that are more than two inches above the knees
• Tops which exposes shoulders or chest area
• Tube tops or halter tops
• Clothing which reveals the stomach or midriff area
• Clothing that is made of sheer, net, mesh, or transparent material
• Shorts or any kind of slacks that are above the knee 
• Leggings, jeggings, or any other skin tight pants

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call inmates at the Colwell Probation Detention Center. But the residents do have access to phones during certain hours and are allowed to make outgoing calls.

How to Send Money

You can send money to an inmate housed at the Colwell Probation Detention Center through JPay (online or phone) or MoneyGram (in person). You also have the option of mailing a money order. You must be on a recipient’s approved visitor list to use any payment method.

Programs For Inmates

Programming varies from minimal education improvement to a broader spectrum of evidence based treatment programs. 

• Motivation for Change 
• Substance use counseling-primarily AA/NA 
• Life Skills 
• Job Readiness 
• Group Counseling 
• Personal Health 
• GED/Adult Basic Education 

Probationers are required to work on a detail five days of the week in food service, auto body, horticulture, building grounds maintenance, janitorial, laundry, utilities, or maintenance and sanitation duties.

Under supervision, low security offenders build, refurbish, and maintain prison and civic buildings, perform road work, clean public buildings and schools, and work at recycling centers and landfills

Pictures of Colwell Probation Detention Center

Careers at Colwell Probation Detention Center

If you are interested in a career with the Georgia Department of Corrections and would like to see the job openings at the Colwell Probation Detention Center, click here.