Patten Probation Detention Center

The Patten Probation Detention Center is a minimum-security, short-term facility in Lakeland, Georgia. This facility houses adult males probationers for up to 180 days, but most stay for a period of 60 to 120 days. The host facility for the Patten Probation Detention Center is the Valdosta State Prison. The maximum capacity of the center is 252.

Probation detention centers (PDC) offer a work-oriented environment that is an alternative to jail or prison. Offenders may be sent directly to a PDC as a sentencing option. Or, they may be sent to a PDC if they are unable to successfully complete their probation in the community.

The Patten Probation Detention Center is a highly structured environment with regimented schedules that include supervised, unpaid work in the community. Probationers also attend programming geared toward making them more successful.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

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

COVID 19 Modified Visitation

As of July 2021, only modified visitation is allowed at Patten Probation Detention Center due to the pandemic. All visitors must be on their inmate's approved visitation list and must request the visit in advance by accessing the Georgia DOC website.

Visit 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 in quarantine or medical isolation status are not allowed visits.

Inmates are only allowed one visit every other month during modified visitation, and 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?

The inmate must put you on their visiting list first and the Georgia Department of Corrections must approve your application before you can visit. 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 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 Patten 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. 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 expose 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

Male visitors are required to wear shirts and full-length pants. Female visitors are required to wear foundation type garments such as bras and underwear.

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call inmates at the Patten 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

JPay (online or phone) or MoneyGram (in person) are the options for sending money to an inmate housed at the Patten Probation Detention Center. You can also mail a money order. You must be on a recipient’s approved visitor list to use any payment method.

Programs For Inmates

Probationers at Patten Probation Detention Center must work five days a week on a detail -- food service, horticulture, auto-body, building grounds maintenance, janitorial, laundry, or maintenance and sanitation.

The community work details (under supervision) allow the low security offenders to build, refurbish, and maintain prison and civic buildings, perform road work, clean public buildings and schools, and work at recycling centers and landfills.

Programming includes Motivation for Change, Substance use counseling (AA/NA), Life Skills, Job Readiness, Group Counseling, Personal Health, and GED/Adult Basic Education.

Pictures of Patten Probation Detention Center

Careers at Patten 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 Patten Probation Detention Center, click here.