Catoosa County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Catoosa County?
Inmate records in Catoosa County are official documents created and maintained by the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office and its detention facility to document individuals who are or have been held in custody. These records are distinct from court records: while the Superior Court and Magistrate Court maintain case files, dockets, and judicial orders, the jail maintains custody records that track an individual's physical detention from the moment of booking through release.
The record creation process begins at intake, when a person is booked into the Catoosa County Detention Center. At that point, staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record bond amounts, and photograph the individual. The record is updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect housing assignments, disciplinary actions, medical flags, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived but remains subject to public records requests under applicable Georgia law.
Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, all public records maintained by state and local agencies — including sheriff's offices and detention facilities — are presumed open to inspection by members of the public unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
Catoosa County Sheriff's Office 185 Prison Camp Road, Ringgold, GA 30736 (706) 935-2424 Catoosa County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Catoosa County?
Inmate records maintained by the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office are generally public records under Georgia law. The Georgia Open Records Act, O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70 et seq., establishes that all records prepared, made, or received by a public agency in the course of its official duties are open to public inspection. Correctional and detention records fall within this framework, subject to limited exemptions such as ongoing criminal investigations or information that could endanger facility security.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to members of the public in Catoosa County:
- Current inmate roster — a list of individuals presently held at the Catoosa County Detention Center
- Booking and arrest records — date, time, and location of arrest and booking
- Charges filed — the specific criminal charges for which the individual is held
- Mugshots — booking photographs taken at intake
- Bond and bail amounts — the amount set by the court or magistrate for pretrial release
- Expected release dates — projected release or next court appearance dates
- Housing facility — the specific facility or unit where the individual is housed
Certain sensitive data — including medical records, juvenile records, and information protected under federal privacy statutes — may be withheld pursuant to applicable exemptions. Members of the public seeking records that appear to have been withheld may submit a formal Open Records request to the Sheriff's Office.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Catoosa County
Inmate records maintained by the Catoosa County Detention Center contain multiple categories of information compiled from booking through release.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- State identification number and FBI number (if applicable)
Custody Information:
- Date and time of booking
- Arresting agency and arresting officer
- Current housing unit and cell assignment
- Custody status (pretrial, sentenced, hold for another agency)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Statute violated
- Offense date and arrest date
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, personal recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, denied)
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date
- Assigned court (Superior, State, or Magistrate Court)
- Case number (cross-referenced with court records accessible through Georgia's e-access court records portal)
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Sentence length and start date
- Sentence type (probation, incarceration, split sentence)
- Good-time credits applied
Release Information:
- Actual release date and time
- Release type (bond, sentence completion, transfer, court order)
- Transferring agency (if applicable)
Catoosa County Prison System
Catoosa County operates a local detention facility that serves as the primary holding institution for individuals arrested within the county. The Catoosa County Detention Center houses pretrial detainees awaiting arraignment, bond hearings, or trial, as well as individuals serving sentences of up to 12 months for misdemeanor convictions. This structure is consistent with the standard distinction between county jails and state prisons: county jails are administered by the Sheriff's Office and hold individuals for shorter terms or pending court proceedings, while the Georgia Department of Corrections operates state prisons for individuals serving felony sentences exceeding 12 months.
The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office is the governing authority over the detention center and is responsible for all aspects of facility administration, inmate processing, and records maintenance.
Catoosa County Sheriff's Office / Detention Center 185 Prison Camp Road, Ringgold, GA 30736 (706) 935-2424 Catoosa County Sheriff's Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In Catoosa County
Catoosa County's correctional infrastructure consists of the following facility:
Catoosa County Detention Center 185 Prison Camp Road, Ringgold, GA 30736 (706) 935-2424 Catoosa County Sheriff's Office
This facility is the sole county-operated detention center and serves all booking, pretrial detention, and short-term sentencing functions for Catoosa County. Individuals requiring state-level incarceration following felony sentencing are transferred to a Georgia Department of Corrections facility.
Georgia Department of Corrections (State-Level Oversight) 7 MLK Jr. Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30334 (478) 992-5246 Georgia Department of Corrections
Members of the public seeking information about individuals transferred to state custody may use the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search tool available on the agency's official website.
Who's in Prison In Catoosa County
The Catoosa County Detention Center holds several categories of individuals at any given time. Understanding who is incarcerated assists members of the public in determining which agency to contact when searching for a specific individual.
- Pretrial detainees — individuals arrested on felony or misdemeanor charges who have not yet posted bond or been adjudicated
- Sentenced misdemeanants — individuals convicted of misdemeanor offenses and serving sentences of 12 months or fewer
- Probation and parole violators — individuals held on warrants for alleged violations of supervision conditions
- Individuals held on detainers — persons held at the request of another jurisdiction, including federal immigration detainers
- Court-ordered holds — individuals remanded to custody by a judge pending further proceedings
- Individuals awaiting transfer — persons sentenced to state prison who are awaiting transport to a Georgia Department of Corrections facility
Individuals serving felony sentences longer than 12 months are not housed at the county detention center and must be located through the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search system.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Catoosa County in 2026
Members of the public may search for inmate records in Catoosa County through several official channels. The following steps outline the available methods:
Online Search: The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office may maintain an online inmate roster accessible through its official website. Members of the public may visit catoosasheriff.org and navigate to the detention or inmate search section to query current inmates by name.
In-Person Request: Members of the public may appear in person at the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to request inmate records. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating booking records and current custody status.
- Location: 185 Prison Camp Road, Ringgold, GA 30736
- Phone: (706) 935-2424
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (contact the office to confirm current counter hours)
Formal Open Records Request: Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71, members of the public may submit a written Open Records request to the Sheriff's Office. The agency is required to respond within three business days. Requests may be submitted by mail, email, or in person.
Court Records Search: For case-related records, members of the public may access the Georgia Courts e-access portal to search for case filings, dispositions, and court orders associated with a specific individual.
State Offender Search: For individuals transferred to state custody, the Georgia Department of Corrections offender search tool is available at gdc.georgia.gov.
How To Find an Inmate in Catoosa County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held in Catoosa County.
Catoosa County Sheriff's Office Online Roster: Members of the public may access the current inmate roster at no charge through the Sheriff's Office website at catoosasheriff.org. The roster typically includes the inmate's name, booking date, charges, and bond information.
Telephone Inquiry: Members of the public may call the Catoosa County Detention Center directly at (706) 935-2424 to inquire about an individual's custody status at no cost.
In-Person Inquiry: Members of the public may visit the detention facility at 185 Prison Camp Road, Ringgold, GA 30736, during business hours to request custody status information from staff.
Georgia Department of Corrections Offender Search: For individuals who may have been transferred to state custody, the Georgia Department of Corrections provides a free online offender search tool.
Georgia Courts E-Access: Court case information linked to an inmate's charges may be searched through the Georgia Courts e-access system, which provides case-level data at no charge for basic lookups.
How To Visit an Inmate In Catoosa County
Members of the public wishing to visit an inmate at the Catoosa County Detention Center must comply with all facility visitation policies established by the Sheriff's Office.
Visit Rules and Procedures: All visitors must present a valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of check-in. Visitors are subject to screening prior to entry. The inmate must have the visitor on an approved visitation list; individuals not on the approved list will not be permitted to visit.
Visit Schedule: Visitation schedules are set by the Catoosa County Detention Center and are subject to change. Members of the public should contact the facility directly at (706) 935-2424 to confirm current visitation days and times before traveling to the facility.
What to Bring:
- Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
What NOT to Bring:
- Weapons, contraband, or controlled substances
- Cell phones or electronic devices into the secure visitation area
- Food, beverages, or packages not authorized by facility policy
- Large amounts of cash
Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or contains offensive imagery may result in denial of entry. Specific dress code requirements should be confirmed with the facility.
Visit Types: The Catoosa County Detention Center may offer in-person contact visits, non-contact visits through a partition, and video visitation. The availability of each visit type depends on the inmate's classification and housing assignment.
Visit Restrictions: Visitation privileges may be suspended or revoked for violations of facility rules. Individuals with certain criminal histories may be denied visitation. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
How To Send Money to a Catoosa County Inmate
Members of the public may deposit funds into an inmate's commissary account to allow the individual to purchase approved items such as hygiene products, snacks, and writing materials.
Methods for Sending Money:
- Online: Funds may be deposited through an approved third-party service provider. Members of the public should visit the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office website or contact the facility at (706) 935-2424 to identify the current approved provider.
- Kiosk: A deposit kiosk may be available at the detention facility for cash or card deposits.
- Money Order: Money orders made payable to the inmate (with the inmate's full name and booking number noted) may be accepted by mail or in person, subject to facility policy.
Amount Limits: Deposit limits per transaction or per day may apply and are set by the facility or the approved service provider. Members of the public should confirm current limits directly with the detention center.
Fees: Third-party service providers typically charge a transaction fee for online or kiosk deposits. Fee schedules vary by provider and transaction method.
What You Cannot Send:
- Cash sent directly through the mail is generally not accepted
- Personal checks are typically not accepted
- Funds intended for purposes other than the inmate's commissary account
What the Money Can and Cannot Be Used For: Funds in an inmate's commissary account may be used to purchase approved commissary items, make phone calls through the facility's telephone system, and cover certain administrative fees. Funds may not be used to pay fines, court costs, or restitution directly from the commissary account unless specifically authorized by court order.
How To Send Jail Mail In Catoosa County
Members of the public may correspond with inmates at the Catoosa County Detention Center by sending written mail through the United States Postal Service.
Mailing Address: All inmate mail should be addressed as follows: Inmate Full Name, Booking Number Catoosa County Detention Center 185 Prison Camp Road Ringgold, GA 30736
Rules for Sending Mail:
- All incoming mail is subject to inspection by detention center staff pursuant to facility security policies and applicable Georgia law
- Letters must be written on plain white paper and sent in standard white envelopes
- The sender's full name and return address must appear on the envelope
- Photographs may be permitted subject to facility guidelines; explicit or offensive images are prohibited
- Books and magazines, if permitted, must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from an individual sender
- Mail containing contraband, coded messages, or threatening language will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action or criminal referral
- Greeting cards may be subject to restrictions; members of the public should confirm current policy with the facility
Prohibited Items in Mail:
- Stickers, glitter, or adhesive materials on envelopes or paper
- Cash, checks, or money orders enclosed in letters
- Controlled substances or drug-laced paper
- Items that could compromise facility security
Members of the public with questions about current mail policies should contact the Catoosa County Detention Center at (706) 935-2424.