Ben Hill County Jail Roster

The Ben Hill County jail roster lists all people held at the county detention center in Fitzgerald, Georgia. You can look up current inmates through online search tools or by calling the sheriff's office. Ben Hill County sits in south-central Georgia and has a population of about 17,316. The jail is run by Sheriff Lee Cone and his staff. Major Greg Stokes serves as jail administrator. This page covers how to search the Ben Hill County jail roster, visit an inmate, send mail, and get in touch with the right office for booking and custody info.

Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Lee Cone leads the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office. The office handles law enforcement and jail operations for the whole county. You can reach them at 229-426-5161. The main address is 255 Appomattox Rd, Fitzgerald, GA 31750. This is also the location of the jail itself. Staff take calls during normal business hours on weekdays, but the jail operates around the clock.

Major Greg Stokes runs the jail side of things. He oversees day-to-day operations at the Ben Hill County detention center. For questions about a specific inmate on the Ben Hill County jail roster, the jail phone number is 229-426-5160. That line goes straight to the jail rather than the sheriff's main desk. It is the best number to call for booking info, bond amounts, or release dates.

Search the Ben Hill County Jail Roster

There are a few ways to find someone on the Ben Hill County jail roster. The most direct method is calling the jail at 229-426-5160. Staff can tell you if a person is in custody, what charges they face, and what bond has been set. This works well if you need a quick answer and know the full name of the person you are looking for.

Online search tools also cover Ben Hill County. The Ben Hill County Jail website has booking and inmate info. Keep in mind that online rosters may not update in real time, so there can be a lag between a booking and when it shows up on the site.

If you need a more in-depth search, the state has tools too. The GDC offender search covers state prison inmates. It does not show people held at the Ben Hill County jail. VINE at VINELink.com lets you track an inmate's custody status and sign up for release alerts. Call 1-800-398-2892 to use the VINE phone line.

Ben Hill County Jail Visitation

Visits at the Ben Hill County jail take place on Saturdays only. The morning session runs from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. The afternoon session goes from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Which session you attend depends on the first letter of the inmate's last name. Call the jail at 229-426-5160 to find out which time slot applies to the person you want to see.

Each inmate gets 30 minutes of visit time per week. Up to four people can visit at one time. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list before you show up. If your name is not on the list, you will be turned away. Ask the inmate to add you ahead of time. Get there early on Saturday because visit slots fill up fast, and late arrivals may not get in.

The Ben Hill County Jail site has more info about visit rules, dress code, and what you can bring. Check it before your first trip.

Note: Visit schedules can change without much warning, so call the jail before you go.

Ben Hill County Inmate Records Access

Georgia law gives the public a right to view most jail records. The Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-70, says that government records must be open for inspection. That includes booking logs, jail rosters, and basic inmate info held by the Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office. Agencies have three business days to respond to a records request. The first 15 minutes of search time is free.

Some records are off limits. Medical files, security procedures, and certain investigation reports do not fall under the Open Records Act. Under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37, criminal history records can be restricted in certain cases. If charges are dropped or a case ends with no conviction, the arrest record may be restricted after a set period. Misdemeanors go through restriction after two years if there is no case outcome. Felony arrests can take four to seven years depending on the severity of the charge.

For the Ben Hill County jail roster, most booking data and current inmate lists are public. You can ask for copies by calling the sheriff at 229-426-5161 or visiting the office at 255 Appomattox Rd in Fitzgerald.

Ben Hill County State Jail Resources

The Georgia Department of Corrections keeps records on people in state prison. If someone from Ben Hill County gets sentenced to more than a year, they move from the local jail to a state facility. At that point, their record shifts to the GDC system. You can search the GDC facility directory to find which prison holds them.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the state crime database. The GCIC holds criminal history records from all 159 Georgia counties, including Ben Hill. You can review your own record for up to $15 under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37. This fee does not cover fingerprinting costs. If you find errors, you can request a correction through the GCIC.

Crime victims in Ben Hill County can use VINE to track inmates. The system is free and works at all hours. Sign up at VINELink.com or call 1-800-398-2892. You pick a PIN and choose whether to get alerts by phone, text, or email. It is confidential. The service tells you when the person's custody status changes, such as a transfer or release from the Ben Hill County jail.

Counties Near Ben Hill Jail

Ben Hill County borders several other counties in south-central Georgia. Each has its own sheriff's office and jail roster. You can check these nearby county jail rosters if you are not sure where someone is held.