Access Clay County Jail Roster

Clay County jail roster records show who is held at the county detention facility in Fort Gaines, Georgia. Clay County is one of the smallest counties in the state by population, with fewer than 3,000 people. The sheriff's office manages the jail and keeps the inmate roster current. You can search for Clay County jail roster info by calling the sheriff's office or using online tools. Fort Gaines sits along the Chattahoochee River in southwest Georgia. Booking data, charges, and bond info are all part of the jail roster.

Clay County Sheriff and Jail

The Clay County Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement and jail operations in the county. Fort Gaines is the county seat and where the sheriff's office is based. The jail is a small facility that matches the size of the county. With fewer than 3,000 residents, Clay County has one of the lowest populations of any county in Georgia. The jail roster here tends to be short, but it follows the same rules as larger counties. All inmates are recorded with their name, charges, booking date, and bond info.

Clay County is part of the Pataula Judicial Circuit. Court cases from the county move through this circuit. The sheriff's office handles both patrol duties and the jail. Staff can answer questions about the Clay County jail roster by phone. Because the office is small, it may be best to call during weekday business hours.

Search the Clay County Jail Roster

Finding someone on the Clay County jail roster starts with the sheriff's office. Call and ask if a specific person is in custody. The staff can check their records and give you an answer. For smaller counties like Clay, a phone call is often the fastest and most reliable method. Online portals may not be as robust as those in larger counties.

Because Clay County is so small, the jail roster may only have a few names on it at any given time. If you are looking for someone and they do not show up, check with the sheriff's office to see if they were released or transferred. Records can change fast in a small facility.

State Search Tools for Clay County

The Clay County jail roster only tracks people held locally. If someone has moved to a state prison, you need the GDC offender search. The Georgia Department of Corrections maintains this free database for state inmates. It shows charges, facility assignments, and parole info. County jail inmates are not included. The two systems do not talk to each other.

VINELink is a free inmate tracking service that works across Georgia. You can register to get alerts when an inmate's custody status changes. VINE runs day and night. Call 1-800-398-2892 to sign up or visit the website. You set up a PIN and choose how you want to be told about changes. Phone, text, and email are all options. This can be useful for tracking someone in the Clay County jail or any other participating facility in the state.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation runs the state crime info center. Criminal history records from Clay County feed into this statewide database. You can review your own record for up to $15 under O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37. If there are errors, you can request a correction through the GBI.

Clay County Jail Records and Georgia Law

Under the Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-70, most Clay County jail roster data is public. You can request booking records from the sheriff's office. They must respond within three business days. The first 15 minutes of search time are free. Copies cost $0.10 per page. Some records are exempt, including security procedures, employee personal info, and medical files. But the basic booking data on the Clay County jail roster is typically open to anyone who asks.

O.C.G.A. Section 35-3-37 governs when criminal records get restricted. Misdemeanor arrests in Clay County with no case outcome are restricted after two years. Non-violent felonies without a result get restricted after four years. Serious violent crimes wait seven years before restriction applies. Once the Georgia Crime Information Center restricts a record, the Clay County jail must do the same within 30 days of a written request. Cases that ended in dismissal, acquittal, or a grand jury no bill also qualify for restriction.

Under O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-74, agencies face fines for wrongly denying records requests. The first offense costs up to $1,000. Additional violations within 12 months can lead to fines of $2,500 each.

Note: The Open Records Act does not cover medical or mental health records from the Clay County jail.

Clay County Booking and Contact Info

Clay County covers about 197 square miles in southwest Georgia. Fort Gaines is the main town. The county borders Alabama to the west across the Chattahoochee River. Arrests in Clay County go through the sheriff's office for booking. The process is the same as it is across the state. Photos, fingerprints, and a record of charges all happen at intake. Once done, the person shows up on the Clay County jail roster.

For open records requests, write to the Clay County Sheriff's Office in Fort Gaines. Cite O.C.G.A. Section 50-18-71 in your letter. Include the inmate's name and any dates you have. This helps the staff find records faster. The Georgia Sheriffs' Association can help you find the correct address and phone number for the sheriff if you need it.

If the person you are looking for has been moved to a state facility, the GDC facility directory can help you find where they ended up. It lists all prisons, transitional centers, and related facilities across Georgia.

Nearby County Jail Rosters

Clay County is in the southwest corner of Georgia. Neighboring counties also maintain jail rosters. Try these if you need to check on an arrest in the surrounding area.