Dodge State Prison is a medium-security facility located in Chester, Georgia, and operated by the Georgia Department of Corrections. The prison primarily serves adult male felons and has a capacity of approximately 1,230 inmates. Dodge State Prison is responsible for the custody and care of inmates who have been sentenced to prison by the courts.
As a medium-security facility, Dodge State Prison houses inmates who have been convicted of a range of crimes, including but not limited to drug offenses, property crimes, and violent crimes. Inmates at the facility are subject to strict rules and regulations, and the prison staff works to maintain a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff.
The Georgia Department of Corrections is committed to providing inmates with opportunities for rehabilitation and education while they are incarcerated. To this end, Dodge State Prison offers a range of programs and services, including adult basic education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. These programs are designed to help inmates develop the skills and knowledge they need to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.
| Security | Medium |
| Capacity | 1,236 |
| Physical Address | 2971 Old Bethel Church Road Chester, GA 31012 |
| Mailing Address | P.O. Box 276 Chester, GA 31012 |
| Can You Send Gifts? | No |
| Visitation Hours | General Population: Saturdays, Sundays, and State Holidays: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Segregation: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (478) 358-7201 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History and Overview
Dodge State Prison is a medium-security correctional facility located in Chester, Georgia. It was opened in 1965 and has a capacity of 1,236 male offenders. The prison is situated on a 502-acre piece of land and is surrounded by a double fence with a perimeter patrol. The facility is operated and managed by the Georgia Department of Corrections.
Dodge State Prison was constructed with the aim of providing a safe and secure environment for the incarceration of offenders. The facility is designed to house medium-security male offenders who have been convicted of serious crimes such as assault, robbery, and drug offenses.
Over the years, Dodge State Prison has undergone several renovations to improve its infrastructure and enhance the safety and security of both staff and inmates. In 2010, a new housing unit was constructed to provide additional bed space for the growing population of inmates.
The prison is named after the late Melvin Alfonso Stephens, a former warden of Dodge Correctional Institution, which was a maximum-security prison that operated on the same site as Dodge State Prison until it was closed in 2010.
Dodge State Prison has a dedicated staff of over 200 employees who are responsible for the supervision and care of the inmates. The facility offers a range of programs and services to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and reintegration into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Overall, Dodge State Prison is a vital component of the Georgia Department of Corrections’ efforts to maintain public safety and reduce recidivism rates among offenders.
Security and Housing
Dodge State Prison is a medium-security prison that houses adult male felons. The facility is equipped with comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff. The security level of the prison is medium, and it is designed to house 1,236 inmates in 19 housing units.
The prison has a Deputy Warden of Security who is responsible for overseeing the security staff members and the inmates. The Deputy Warden of Security is in charge of ensuring that the prison’s security policies and procedures are followed. The prison has had several Deputy Wardens of Security over the years, including Kendric Jackson, Tyrone Rozier, and Michael Edmondson.
The housing units at Dodge State Prison consist of dormitories and isolation/segregation units. The dormitories are designed to house general population inmates, while the isolation/segregation units are used to house inmates who have violated prison rules or who are deemed a danger to themselves or others.
The prison has a strict policy regarding segregation and isolation. Inmates who are placed in isolation/segregation units are subject to regular evaluations to determine if they can be returned to the general population. The prison also has a policy of providing mental health services to inmates who are placed in isolation/segregation units.
Overall, Dodge State Prison is a well-maintained and secure facility that is designed to provide a safe environment for both inmates and staff. The prison’s security measures are comprehensive, and its housing units are designed to meet the needs of the inmate population.
Inmate Information
Dodge State Prison is a medium-security institution that houses adult male felons. Inmates are assigned to different housing units based on their custody level, which is determined by the severity of their offense, their behavior, and other factors. Inmates are allowed to have visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Inmates in segregation have visiting hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., but there are no visiting hours on holidays.
Each inmate is assigned an ID number upon admission to the prison. This number is used to identify the inmate in all official records, including visitation logs, mail, and phone calls. Inmates are required to provide their ID number to anyone who wants to send them mail or deposit money into their account. The inmate’s mailing address should include their name, ID number, and the address of the prison.
The length of an inmate’s sentence varies depending on the offense they committed and other factors. Inmates may be eligible for parole after serving a certain percentage of their sentence, but this is not guaranteed. Inmates can also earn good behavior credits that may reduce their sentence.
Friends and family members of inmates can use the Georgia Department of Corrections website to search for inmates and view their mugshots, conviction information, and release dates. The website also provides information on how to send mail, deposit money into an inmate’s account, and schedule a visit.
Programs and Services
Dodge State Prison offers a variety of programs and services to help inmates prepare for their eventual release and re-entry into society. These programs include academic and vocational training, counseling, religious activities, and more.
The prison’s education programs provide inmates with the opportunity to earn their GED or work towards a college degree. Vocational training programs, such as barbering, teach inmates valuable skills that can be used to find employment upon release.
Counseling services are also available to help inmates address any personal or emotional issues they may be facing. Substance abuse treatment is offered for those struggling with addiction, and programs for addressing family violence are also available.
Religious activities are an important part of life at Dodge State Prison, with various worship services and Bible study groups available for inmates of different faiths. The prison also has a chaplaincy program to provide spiritual guidance and support.
In addition to these programs, Dodge State Prison also offers re-entry services to help inmates successfully transition back into society after their release. These services include job placement assistance, housing assistance, and more.
Overall, the programs and services offered at Dodge State Prison are designed to help inmates develop the skills and tools they need to successfully reintegrate into society and lead productive lives after their release.
Work and Rehabilitation
Dodge State Prison offers various work and rehabilitation programs to its general population prisoners. These programs aim to provide offenders with skills and training that can help them find employment after their release. In addition, work assignments are also part of a person’s rehabilitation process.
The prison’s Correctional Industries program provides offenders with vocational training and work experience in various fields, including warehousing and inventory, auto detailing, wood products manufacturing, and computer operation. The program aims to teach offenders marketable skills that can help them secure employment after their release.
Offenders can also participate in grounds maintenance, where they learn skills such as landscaping, mowing, and trimming. This program not only provides offenders with work experience but also helps maintain the prison’s facilities.
Dodge State Prison also offers work details to offenders, where they can work on various projects such as construction, renovation, and maintenance of the prison’s facilities. Offenders can also work in the prison’s kitchen, laundry, and other areas.
In addition to work programs, the prison also offers rehabilitation programs such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, substance abuse treatment, and anger management classes. These programs aim to help offenders address the underlying issues that led to their incarceration and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Overall, Dodge State Prison’s work and rehabilitation programs aim to provide offenders with the skills and training necessary to successfully reintegrate into society after their release.
Facilities and Services
Dodge State Prison is a medium-security facility that provides a range of services and facilities to its inmates. The prison is designed to house adult male felons and has a capacity of 1,236 inmates. The facility is located at 2971 Old Bethel Church Road, Chester, GA 31012, in Dodge County.
The prison has a well-trained C.E.R.T. (Correctional Emergency Response Team) and a Tactical Squad that is responsible for responding to emergencies within the facility. The prison also has a fire station that is staffed by trained firefighters who are responsible for responding to any fire-related emergencies within the facility.
The prison has a Canine Unit that is responsible for searching for contraband within the facility. The unit is made up of highly trained dogs and their handlers who are responsible for conducting searches throughout the prison.
Inmates at Dodge State Prison have access to a range of visiting hours, which are designed to ensure that they can maintain contact with their families and loved ones. The visiting hours are subject to change, and visitors are advised to check with the prison before visiting.
Inmates at the prison also have access to telephones, which they can use to make calls to their families and loved ones. The prison has a range of telephone services available, including collect calls, prepaid calls, and debit calls.
Overall, Dodge State Prison provides a range of facilities and services designed to ensure that inmates are housed in a safe and secure environment. The prison is committed to ensuring that inmates have access to the services and facilities they need to maintain their physical and mental health while serving their sentences.
Education and Training
Dodge State Prison offers a range of educational and vocational training programs to help inmates prepare for life after incarceration. These programs include General Education Diploma (GED) classes, Adult Basic Education (ABE), and Literacy Remedial Counseling. Inmates can also enroll in vocational training programs such as Career Clerk, Cook Apprentice, Custodial Maintenance, General Office Clerk, Warehouse or Store Clerk, Warehousing and Inventory Control, and Laundry Operations.
The GED program is designed to help inmates earn a high school equivalency diploma. The program includes classes in mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. Inmates who complete the program are better equipped to find employment and pursue higher education opportunities after release.
ABE classes are available to inmates who need to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. These classes are designed to help inmates develop the skills they need to succeed in the GED program and in life after incarceration.
Literacy Remedial Counseling is available to inmates who struggle with reading and writing. The program provides one-on-one counseling and support to help inmates improve their literacy skills.
Vocational training programs at Dodge State Prison provide inmates with the skills they need to find employment after release. These programs include Career Clerk, Cook Apprentice, Custodial Maintenance, General Office Clerk, Warehouse or Store Clerk, Warehousing and Inventory Control, and Laundry Operations. Inmates who complete these programs are better prepared to find employment in a variety of industries.
Overall, the education and training programs at Dodge State Prison are designed to help inmates improve their skills and prepare for a successful re-entry into society.