Calhoun State Prison: Daily Life Behind Bars in Georgia

Calhoun State Prison is a medium-security facility located in Morgan, Georgia, serving adult male felons. It is operated by the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) and houses approximately 1,600 offenders. The prison has a staff of over 300 employees, including correctional officers, administrative personnel, and support staff.

The facility has been in operation since 1994 and covers an area of approximately 250 acres. It is named after Calhoun County, where it is located, and is one of several state prisons in Georgia. Calhoun State Prison is responsible for the custody and care of inmates, as well as providing programs and services aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The prison has recently undergone changes in leadership, with the appointment of Jennifer Craft as Deputy Warden of Administration in 2022 and Jerry Jefferson as Deputy Warden of Security in 2023. The facility has also been in the news due to the conviction of Eric Gilbert, a former co-defendant who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The sentencing is scheduled for September 2022.

SecurityMedium
Capacity1,639
Physical Address27823 Main Street
Morgan, GA 39866
Mailing AddressP.O. Box 249
Morgan, GA 39866
Can You Send Gifts?No
Visitation HoursSaturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number(229) 849-5000
JurisdictionState

Location

Calhoun State Prison is situated in Morgan, Georgia, in the United States. It is a medium-security prison that serves adult male felons. The facility is located at 27823 Main Street, Morgan, GA 39866.

The prison is easily accessible by road, with several highways leading to the location. Visitors can use the following directions to get to the facility:

  • From the north or south, take Interstate 75 to Exit 62
  • From the east, take Highway 82 to Morgan
  • From the west, take Highway 37 to Morgan

Calhoun State Prison is located in Calhoun County, which is a small county in southwest Georgia. The county has a population of around 6,000 people and covers an area of approximately 284 square miles. The county seat is Morgan, which is where the prison is located.

The prison’s location in a small town provides a sense of seclusion, making it an ideal location for a correctional facility. The town’s small size also means that the prison has a significant impact on the local economy, providing jobs for many residents.

Overall, the location of Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia, is ideal for a medium-security prison. Its location in a small town provides a sense of seclusion, while its accessibility by road makes it easy to reach.

Facility Details

Calhoun State Prison is a medium-security institution located in Morgan, Georgia. The facility is operated by the Georgia Department of Corrections and has a capacity of 1,639 male inmates. The prison has eight open dormitories with a total of 480 beds and nine housing units.

Housing Units

The housing units at Calhoun State Prison consist of triple-bunked and double-bunked cells. Inmates are assigned to housing units based on their custody level and behavior. The facility also has a faith-based dormitory for inmates who wish to participate in religious programs.

Segregation/Isolation Cells

Calhoun State Prison has 95 segregation/isolation cells for inmates who pose a threat to the safety and security of the institution. Inmates in segregation are confined to their cells for 23 hours a day and have limited access to programs and services.

The prison also houses a C.E.R.T. Team (Correctional Emergency Response Team) and a fire station. The C.E.R.T. Team is responsible for responding to emergencies within the institution, while the fire station provides fire protection services to the prison and surrounding area.

Overall, Calhoun State Prison provides safe and secure housing for male inmates in Georgia.

Contact Information

For those who need to contact Calhoun State Prison, there are several options available. The Georgia Department of Corrections oversees the prison and can be reached at (478) 992-5246. This number can be used by family members of inmates who have questions or concerns about their loved ones.

There is also a website available for those who need to contact the GDC. The website provides information about the GDC, as well as a list of frequently asked questions that may be helpful to those who are looking for information.

Overall, there are several ways to get in touch with Calhoun State Prison and the GDC. Whether you are a family member of an inmate or a member of the general public, there are resources available to help you get the information you need.

Inmate Information

Inmate Mail

Inmates at Calhoun State Prison are allowed to receive mail from friends and family members. All incoming mail is opened and inspected for contraband or unauthorized content. Inmates are allowed to receive letters, photos, and money orders. However, the prison does not allow packages or books to be sent directly to inmates.

To send mail to an inmate at Calhoun State Prison, the mailing address is:

  • Calhoun State Prison
  • P.O. Box 249
  • Morgan, GA 39866

Inmate ID Number

Each inmate at Calhoun State Prison is assigned a unique identification number. This number is used to track the inmate’s location, sentence, and disciplinary issues. Family members and friends who wish to send mail or money orders to an inmate must include the inmate’s ID number on the envelope or money order.

Inmates are also required to wear a dress code that includes a blue denim shirt and pants. Inmates are not allowed to wear any clothing that is gang-related or has offensive language or images.

Overall, Calhoun State Prison provides inmates with basic necessities such as housing, food, and medical care. However, inmates who violate prison rules or engage in disciplinary issues may face consequences such as segregation or loss of privileges.

Visiting Information

Visiting Hours

Calhoun State Prison allows visitation on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors must arrive at the prison before 2:00 p.m. to be processed for visitation. It is important to note that visitation may be canceled at any time without notice due to institutional needs or security concerns.

Visitors must provide the inmate’s name and identification number when requesting visitation. It is recommended that visitors call the prison in advance to confirm visitation hours and ensure that the inmate is eligible for visitation.

Visiting Rules

Visitors must follow strict rules and guidelines during their visit to Calhoun State Prison. Failure to comply with these rules can result in the termination of the visit and/or the visitor being banned from future visits.

Some of the rules include:

  • Visitors must present a valid photo ID and be on the inmate’s approved visitation list.
  • Visitors must pass a security check, which includes metal detectors and searches of personal belongings.
  • Visitors are not allowed to bring any items into the visitation area, including cell phones, purses, wallets, or any type of bag.
  • Visitors are not allowed to wear revealing clothing, shorts, or skirts that are above the knee.
  • Visitors are not allowed to bring any type of food or drink into the visitation area.

It is important for visitors to review all of the rules and guidelines before arriving at the prison to ensure a smooth visitation experience. Visitors should also be aware that the prison reserves the right to deny visitation to anyone who poses a security risk or is in violation of any of the visitation rules.

Overall, Calhoun State Prison strives to provide a safe and secure visitation environment for both visitors and inmates. By following the rules and guidelines, visitors can help ensure that their visitation experience is a positive one.

Programs and Services

Education Programs

Calhoun State Prison offers a range of educational programs to its inmates, including adult basic education, general education diploma (GED) preparation, and correspondence courses. In addition, the prison provides literacy remedial and English as a second language (ESL) classes to help inmates improve their reading and writing skills.

Re-entry Programs

The prison offers several re-entry programs to help inmates transition back into society after their release. These programs include job training in fields such as forklift operation, horticulture, sanitation, building maintenance, barbering, groundskeeping, and office work. Inmates can also participate in the prison’s career clerk and laundry programs, which provide valuable work experience and training.

Religious Services

Calhoun State Prison offers various worship services and a faith-character-based program to inmates. The prison has a chaplain and a library for religious materials.

The prison also offers several programs that aim to reduce recidivism by addressing the underlying causes of criminal behavior. These programs include principles of effective intervention, criminal thinking, motivation for change, thinking for a change, moral reconation therapy, sex offender psycho-educational program, exodus stronghold, matrix relapse prevention, and matrix early recovery.

The prison has a lifers group that provides support and guidance to inmates serving life sentences. Inmates can also participate in general recreation activities and the prison’s various work details, which include employment needs and treatment programs.

Calhoun State Prison follows the risk principle, needs principle, responsivity principle, and treatment principle to ensure that its programs are effective in reducing recidivism.

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