Columbia County Detention Center
Columbia County Detention Center
Physical Address
2273 County Camp RoadAppling, GA 30802
Jail Phone Number
706-541-0754Finding a person held in Columbia County, Georgia
Adults arrested in Columbia County end at the Columbia County Detention Center in Appling. Check Columbia County Inmate Search, or call jail staff at 706-541-0754.
1. Where do Columbia arrests go?
The Columbia County Detention Center is at 2273 County Camp Road Appling, GA 30802. The Appling jail desk picks up at 706-541-0754. Other calls to the Columbia sheriff call 706-541-1043.
Back to questions ↑2. How do I check the Columbia jail for someone?
Enter the last name in Columbia County Inmate Search. A new Columbia booking can take hours to show up as Columbia staff finish booking.
Back to questions ↑3. How is bail set in Columbia County?
Under Georgia law, in Appling, a judge must see someone held in Appling within 48 hours without a warrant and 72 hours with one. The Columbia judge may set a Columbia bond in cash, by bondsman or with Appling property.
- What a bondsman in Appling charges has a legal limit, and a Columbia family never gets that fee back.
- Some serious charges in Columbia County need the superior court, so a Columbia wait may be longer.
- Missing a court date in Columbia County may lead to a Columbia warrant and a lost bond.
See our Columbia County bail page.
Back to questions ↑4. Is there a warrant out in Columbia County?
Phone the Columbia sheriff's office at 706-541-1043 to ask about an active Columbia warrant. A Columbia lawyer can help plan a surrender.
Back to questions ↑5. Is there a public defender in Columbia County?
The Columbia Circuit public defender takes Columbia cases once a judge in Appling rules they cannot pay. Someone applying in Appling is charged $50, which a judge can waive.
Back to questions ↑6. What are visiting rules in Appling?
Visit rules and times change, so call 706-541-0754 the day before you go to Appling. We explain lobby visits at the Columbia jail and screen visits from Appling.
Back to questions ↑7. Can my loved one in Appling call me?
Inmates in Appling can call out of the Columbia jail, but family cannot ring in to Appling. We cover Columbia jail calls, messages in Appling and Columbia tablets.
Back to questions ↑8. How do deposits work in Appling?
Money sent to a Columbia account buys snacks and soap at the Appling commissary. Send money only through methods Appling names. Read about Columbia money transfers and the Appling jail store.
Back to questions ↑9. Can I mail a Columbia inmate a letter?
Print the person's full name on the Columbia envelope above the Appling jail address. Plain paper works best for Appling; tape on mail to the Columbia jail may cause a return. Check the Columbia notes on our mail page.
Back to questions ↑10. Where are young people from Columbia County held?
Children under 17 in Appling go to juvenile court. If a Columbia judge orders detention, the Department of Juvenile Justice sends Columbia youth to the Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center. Families can call the sheriff's office at 706-541-1043 to learn where their child was taken.
Back to questions ↑11. What if someone in the Columbia jail is sick?
Call 706-541-0754 quickly if your person in the Columbia County Detention Center has seizures or may hurt themselves in Appling. Tell the Columbia desk record the drug and the dose.
Back to questions ↑12. Which federal court hears Columbia cases?
A federal case from Columbia County is heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Augusta Division, at 600 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, GA 30901, 706-849-4400. The Augusta magistrate judge decides on release for a Columbia defendant.
Federal detainees stay with the U.S. Marshals, at times in the Columbia jail or another county jail. Once sentenced, check the BOP inmate locator.
Back to questions ↑13. Immigration holds in Columbia County
- Step 1: Booking fingerprints reach databases ICE can search.
- Step 2: If the Columbia jail books a non-citizen, O.C.G.A. 42-4-14 requires Columbia staff to confirm their status , and the Appling jailer informs ICE if status is missing.
- Step 3: If ICE wants the person, it sends Form I-247A, which asks the Columbia jail to keep them as long as 48 hours after release would happen.
- Step 4: The 2024 law HB 1105 also wrote O.C.G.A. 42-1-11.5 and 36-80-23, which ban sanctuary policies in Georgia.
- Step 5: Per ICE, Columbia County has a 287(g) agreement.
- Step 6: Once ICE takes custody of a Columbia detainee, use the ICE detainee locator for a Columbia case, or phone the Atlanta field office for Columbia cases, 180 Ted Turner Dr SW, Suite 522, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-893-1290.
14. Moving from Columbia County to state prison
When a Columbia case ends in prison, Columbia County keeps them in the Appling jail until the Georgia Department of Corrections picks them up. Next, the Georgia Department of Corrections moves the person from Appling to intake, and the Appling inmate later goes to an assigned prison. Appling relatives can follow them on GDC Find an Offender.
Back to questions ↑15. Where can I find a Columbia mugshot?
No. Under O.C.G.A. 35-1-19, the Columbia sheriff are barred from posting a Columbia mugshot online. For a copy of a Columbia mugshot, phone the sheriff's office at 706-541-1043.
State prisoners have photos on GDC Find an Offender.
Back to questions ↑16. Police and sheriff phone numbers in Columbia County
- Grovetown Department of Public Safety: 706-396-4000
- Harlem Police Department: 706-556-6262
- Columbia County Sheriff's Office: 706-541-1043
Sheriff's deputies patrol parts of Columbia County without a police force. Dial 911 in an emergency.
Back to questions ↑Columbia County contacts
- Inmate search
- Columbia County Inmate Search
- Jail
- Columbia County Detention Center, 2273 County Camp Road Appling, GA 30802, 706-541-0754
- Sheriff
- 706-541-1043
Columbia County bail and bond: the Appling detention center and the Evans courthouse
Adults arrested in Columbia County are held at the Columbia County Detention Center on County Camp Road in Appling, run by the Sheriff's Office. Search Columbia County Inmate Search first to see whether the person is booked and what the bond is. The detention center number is 706-541-0754. Bond is usually set by a magistrate judge at the courthouse complex at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans, not at the jail.
1. Is my loved one in the Columbia County Detention Center?
Put the name into Columbia County Inmate Search. The record should show the charge and any bond. If nothing appears, the booking may still be under way, so look again after a while. The detention center answers at 706-541-0754 for what the search cannot show.
2. Where is the jail?
It is the Columbia County Detention Center on County Camp Road in Appling, GA 30802, and the Sheriff's Office runs it. The sheriff lists its own address as 2273 County Camp Road. Evans, where the courts sit, is a different place, so do not drive to the courthouse looking for a prisoner.
3. Who sets the bond, and where?
Magistrate judges usually set bond, according to the county's Magistrate Court page. The court is at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809, and its listed number is 706-868-3316. The court does first appearances. Judges are on call every day of the year for arrest warrants, so a warrant can be signed at night.
4. What does the judge look at?
The county says bond is there to make sure the person comes back for trial, not to punish. The judge weighs the facts of the case and the person's history. Outside misdemeanors, a judge may refuse bond only when no amount would ensure the person appears or when the person is a danger to the community.
5. How soon must a judge see my loved one?
O.C.G.A. 17-4-26 says a person arrested on a warrant must be brought before a judicial officer within 72 hours. Call the Magistrate Court at 706-868-3316 and ask for the first appearance time. Ask also whether it is held at the courthouse or by video.
6. Which crimes need a superior court judge for bond?
Under O.C.G.A. 17-6-1, only a superior court judge may grant bond on a short list that includes murder, rape, armed robbery, trafficking, and aggravated child molestation. A lawyer can petition the superior court, which must set a hearing within ten days. Superior Court is also at 640 Ronald Reagan Drive.
7. Where do I pay a cash bond?
Call the detention center at 706-541-0754 and ask where cash is taken, the hours, and what forms of payment count. The county does not post a bonding window online. Ask for a receipt that names the case, and do not hand money to anyone outside the building.
8. Which bonding companies work in Columbia County?
Ask the jail desk for the list of companies it accepts. Some websites show companies with out-of-state phone numbers, so confirm that the company is licensed and does business here before you pay. Georgia limits the price. O.C.G.A. 17-6-30(a) lets a surety take at most 15 percent of the bond's face value, with a $50 floor for each bonded charge. So on a $5,000 bond the cap is $750. Get the fee, collateral, and missed-court terms in writing.
9. Can property be pledged?
Georgia law, O.C.G.A. 17-6-12, says property for a bail-restricted charge is approved by the sheriff of the county where the offense happened. For Columbia County, the detention center at 706-541-0754 can say what deed papers, tax records, and equity are needed.
10. What does "no bond" mean on the record?
It can mean a superior-court-only charge that has not yet been before that judge. A probation hold, an out-of-county warrant, or a federal hold also keeps a person in. Ask the detention center which one applies, then ask the Magistrate Court at 706-868-3316 about the next hearing.
11. What if a Grovetown or Harlem officer arrested my relative?
Ask the department for the report number and where the person was taken, then check Columbia County Inmate Search. Ask the jail desk if the booking has reached the detention center. Some city cases are heard in the city's own court, so ask which one has the case.
12. Is there a published bond chart for the county?
The county posts no chart of amounts. The magistrate decides, so the figure is on the booking record. If it is empty, ask the court at 706-868-3316 whether bond has been set.
13. What if the person arrested is a juvenile?
Youth from Columbia County go to the Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center, 3485 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, GA 30906, under the state Department of Juvenile Justice. The department's main line is 404-508-6500. Columbia County Juvenile Court is at 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, Evans, 706-868-3320. Because juvenile records are confidential, a child will not turn up in the adult search.
14. How do I get a public defender?
Ask the judge at the first appearance, and fill out the county's public defender application. The Columbia Circuit Public Defender is at 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Evans, open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 706-447-6750. Bring proof of income.
15. How do I avoid scams and get a refund?
A deposit to a commissary or phone account is not a bond. No court takes gift cards. Call the detention center at 706-541-0754 yourself. Keep every receipt, and ask the clerk of court how cash bonds come back when a case ends.
What if the charge is federal?
A federal charge goes to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, not to a county court. Columbia County cases are heard in the Augusta Division, 600 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, GA 30901; the clerk's line is 706-849-4400. A federal magistrate judge decides on release, often within a day or two of arrest. Deputy U.S. Marshals move people to and from court, and the person may be housed in a county jail under contract. Once sentenced, look the person up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Columbia County bail contacts
- Jail
- Columbia County Detention Center, County Camp Road, Appling, GA 30802; 706-541-0754
- Bond guide
- Columbia County jail bail and bond instructions
- Custody lookup
- Columbia County Inmate Search
- Magistrate Court
- 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809; 706-868-3316
- Superior Court
- 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809; 706-312-7230
- Public defender
- 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Evans, GA 30809; 706-447-6750
- Juvenile Court
- 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, Evans, GA 30809; 706-868-3320
- Youth detention
- Augusta Regional Youth Detention Center, 3485 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, GA 30906; state Department of Juvenile Justice 404-508-6500
Columbia County hours, costs, and phone lines may change, and the judge has the last word on any bond. Ask the jail or court before you pay. This is a general guide, not advice from a lawyer.
Columbia County Detention Center Inmate Visitation
Friends and Family – Video visitation at the Columbia County Detention Center can be done from any location with a computer, tablet, or smartphone, internet access, and a web camera. Schedule through IC Solutions at https://www.icsolutions.com or by calling 888-506-8407. There is a charge for the service. The visitor chooses the dates and times, which may be set up to 14 days ahead but must be scheduled at least 24 hours before the visit. The inmate is responsible for checking the housing-unit kiosk for the scheduled time. Inmates in permanent housing who have not lost visiting privileges through discipline may have three twenty-minute visits with friends or family each week. A clock-hour grid is not posted, so call the detention center at 706-541-0754 if you need to confirm when a particular unit is available.
- Visitors who do not want a remote session may use the video terminals in the Detention Center lobby, subject to already scheduled visits and possible wait times.
- For on-site visits, visitors under 18, except legal spouses of inmates, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Staff will not supervise children. Proper attire is required; halter tops, swimwear, revealing or see-through clothing, and sleepwear are not permitted. On-site visitors who appear intoxicated or unruly will not be allowed to visit and may be subject to arrest.
ICSolutions Video Visitation provides a secure online platform that enables families to conduct scheduled face-to-face video visits with incarcerated loved ones from home using an internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or personal computer equipped with a webcam.
Important: Advance Registration and Visitor Clearance Required
Detention centers do not permit unscheduled or unverified video sessions. Correctional facilities require prospective visitors to submit government-issued photo identification and receive administrative clearance before booking an appointment, an approval process that can take up to 48 hours depending on facility staffing. You should verify your visitor approval status with the facility prior to scheduling. If you do not register well in advance, you will miss your loved one's scheduled visiting window for the week.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Schedule a Video Visit
- Visit www.icsolutions.com and sign into your account.
- Register your visitor profile and upload a clear photo of your government-issued ID (driver's license or passport) for facility background review.
- Wait for email notification confirming facility visitor approval.
- Select Schedule Visit, choose the detention facility, and select the inmate.
- Browse the available schedule calendar, select a time slot, and pay the visitation fee using a credit or debit card.
- Log into the website or app 10 minutes prior to the start time on a device with a functioning camera, microphone, and reliable high-speed internet connection.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate receives a visitation notification on their housing unit video kiosk or terminal. At the appointed time, they log in with their PIN and sit before the terminal. Inmates and visitors must strictly observe jail dress and conduct rules; sessions are monitored by staff and will terminate immediately upon any violation.
Official Provider: ICSolutions Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-506-8407
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by ICSolutions
In addition to Remote Video Visitation, ICSolutions provides calling and voicemail services at participating correctional facilities:
- AdvancePay Prepaid Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling minutes so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvancePay Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Prepaid Calling - Inmate Voicemail Services: Leave recorded voice messages that your loved one can listen to on dayroom phones.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Voicemail Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Voicemail - Access Secure Deposits (Partner Trust Transfers): Deposit trust money into an inmate's account via Keefe Group partner networks.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections Trust Deposits
The Criminal Court Process in Columbia County, Georgia
Columbia County is a fast-growing suburban county on the western edge of metro Augusta, home to Evans, Martinez, Grovetown and Harlem along with the small county seat of Appling. Although the historic courthouse remains in Appling, most of the county's court business now takes place at the Columbia County Justice Center on Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans. Columbia County does not have a State Court, so its criminal cases are split among the Columbia County Magistrate Court, which handles warrants, first appearances and most bonds; the Probate Court of Columbia County, which hears traffic citations and many misdemeanors; and the Columbia County Superior Court, which handles felonies and any misdemeanor that goes to a jury. Since July 2021 the county has formed its own one-county Columbia Judicial Circuit, after separating from the Augusta Circuit. That means Columbia County has its own Superior Court judges, its own District Attorney and its own Circuit Public Defender serving no other county.
Key court and legal offices for criminal matters:
- Columbia County Clerk of Superior Court, Columbia County Justice Center, 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 312-7139
- Columbia County Magistrate Court, Columbia County Justice Center, 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 868-3316
- Probate Court of Columbia County (traffic and misdemeanors), Columbia County Justice Center, 640 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 312-7254
- Columbia Judicial Circuit District Attorney, 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, 4th Floor, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 447-6780
- Columbia Judicial Circuit Public Defender, 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Evans, GA 30809, (706) 447-6750
- Grovetown Municipal Court, 113 East Robinson Avenue, Grovetown, GA 30813, (706) 868-9541
The Justice Center in Evans is where most defendants will appear, while the prosecutor and defender offices are a short drive away in the Evans Town Center area. Check your citation, bond order or summons for the exact court. Then use the links below to read about the type of charge you are facing.
- Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first DUI, simple battery, trespass)
- Felony (for example, burglary, theft over $1,500, drug sales, aggravated assault)
- Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, armed robbery)
1. Misdemeanor (for example, petty theft, a first DUI, simple battery, trespass)
Without a State Court or an elected Solicitor-General, Columbia County routes misdemeanors through a different path than its neighbor Richmond County. Traffic citations written by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia State Patrol, the Department of Natural Resources and motor carrier officers go to the Probate Court, which also hears DUI and many other misdemeanors when the defendant agrees to have a judge decide the case without a jury. The Magistrate Court can accept guilty pleas to certain minor offenses, such as shoplifting under $500, bad checks and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Arrests inside Grovetown or Harlem may begin in those cities' municipal courts. Any misdemeanor that goes to a jury trial is sent to Superior Court, where the Columbia Judicial Circuit District Attorney prosecutes it.
After the arrest
Most misdemeanor defendants leave on a citation or a scheduled bond. A person held at the Columbia County Detention Center must appear before a judge within 48 hours after a warrantless arrest, or within 72 hours if a warrant was issued. A Columbia County magistrate handles that hearing, sets or reviews bond and explains the right to a lawyer.
Getting appointed counsel
The constitution guarantees a lawyer to any indigent defendant who could be jailed, and the court appoints a lawyer for anyone who qualifies. Request one at your first court date, or contact the Columbia Judicial Circuit Public Defender at (706) 447-6750 or the Clerk of Superior Court at (706) 312-7139.
Resolving the charge
A Probate Court case is usually settled by a plea, a reduced charge or, for some first-time defendants, a sentence under the First Offender Act that avoids a conviction once completed. Municipal and Probate courts do not hold jury trials. A defendant who wants a jury can demand one, and the case moves to Superior Court, where it is tried by the District Attorney. A defendant may also file a speedy trial demand, which requires trial in the current or next court term.
Penalties and timing
Most misdemeanors are punishable by up to 12 months and a $1,000 fine; high and aggravated misdemeanors raise the maximum fine to $5,000. A first DUI calls for 10 days to 12 months with at least 24 hours served, a $300 to $1,000 fine, community service and a risk reduction program. Probation is common. Expect a misdemeanor to take from one to several months, longer if it is transferred to Superior Court for a jury.
2. Felony (for example, burglary, theft over $1,500, drug sales, aggravated assault)
Because the Columbia Judicial Circuit covers only one county, the District Attorney's entire staff focuses on Columbia County cases, and felony matters are heard by the circuit's own Superior Court judges at the Justice Center in Evans. Burglary, felony theft, drug distribution and aggravated assault all follow the same basic sequence.
Magistrate Court stage
A Columbia County magistrate presides over the first appearance after a felony arrest, explains the charge and, for most offenses, sets bond. The defense may ask for a commitment hearing, in which the magistrate decides whether probable cause exists to send the case to Superior Court. That hearing is skipped if a grand jury returns an indictment first.
Charging and arraignment
The DA ordinarily presents felonies to a Columbia County grand jury. A defendant can waive indictment and agree to be charged by accusation, which is common when a plea is expected. A person held for 90 days without being indicted is entitled to have bond set. After charging, the defendant is arraigned in Superior Court and discovery is exchanged.
Public Defender representation
The Columbia Judicial Circuit Public Defender, a Georgia Public Defender Council office, represents eligible adults in Superior Court felony cases. The office is on the third floor of 7045 Evans Town Center Boulevard and can be reached at (706) 447-6750. Applicants should bring proof of income and expenses. When a conflict arises, the court appoints an outside lawyer.
How felonies end
Most felony cases in Columbia County are resolved by negotiated plea, sometimes with First Offender status that seals the record after successful completion. Ask defense counsel whether an accountability court program may be available for substance abuse or mental health needs. In Columbia County, all 12 jurors must agree before a trial verdict is returned. Georgia felonies generally carry a minimum of one year, often split between incarceration and probation, and most cases conclude within six to eighteen months.
3. Violent felony (for example, murder, rape, armed robbery)
A small group of offenses sits at the top of Georgia's criminal code. Murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy and aggravated sexual battery are defined as "serious violent felonies." In Columbia County, the circuit District Attorney prosecutes them in Superior Court, and the law imposes stricter rules on bond and sentencing than for any other charges.
Who can grant release
A magistrate in Evans has no power to set bond in these cases. The request must go to a Columbia County Superior Court judge, who decides after a hearing. Detention until trial is common.
Defense resources
Indigent defendants are represented by the Columbia Judicial Circuit Public Defender at (706) 447-6750. In a murder case where the State seeks death, the Capital Defender Division of the Georgia Public Defender Council typically assumes the defense.
Sentencing exposure
- Murder: life with possible parole after 30 years, life without parole, or death, which can be imposed only if a unanimous jury finds a statutory aggravating circumstance.
- Rape: Columbia Judicial Circuit judges sentence this offense to life, life without parole, or a minimum of 25 years in prison with probation for the rest of the defendant's life.
- Armed robbery: 10 to 20 years, or a life sentence.
For every serious violent felony except murder, Georgia requires at least 10 years to be served in full with no parole, probation or suspension. First Offender treatment is barred. A second serious violent felony conviction results in mandatory life without parole. Marsy's Law, which voters added to the Georgia Constitution in 2018, entitles victims to notice of court proceedings and an opportunity to speak at bond, plea and sentencing.
Length of these cases
Expert analysis, forensic testing and complex pretrial motions mean violent felony cases in Columbia County usually take one to three years, and capital prosecutions can stretch well beyond that.
Federal charges
A federal charge goes to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, not to a county court. Columbia County cases are heard in the Augusta Division, 600 James Brown Blvd., Augusta, GA 30901; the clerk's line is 706-849-4400. A federal magistrate judge decides on release, often within a day or two of arrest. Deputy U.S. Marshals move people to and from court, and the person may be housed in a county jail under contract. Once sentenced, look the person up with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.
Nothing on this page is legal advice; it summarizes the general path a criminal case follows in Columbia County, Georgia. For advice about a specific case, contact a defense attorney or the Columbia Judicial Circuit Public Defender at (706) 447-6750.
JailATM Commissary Ordering allows family members to purchase pre-approved snack boxes, meat and cheese selections, hygiene bundles, and seasonal gift care packages sent directly to an incarcerated loved one. Each package is tailored to comply with local facility security rules, ensuring items clear intake smoothly without being rejected at the loading dock.
Important: Package Deadlines and Delivery Windows Vary
Detention centers do not all follow identical package distribution schedules. Some facilities allow weekly orders while others restrict shipments to bi-weekly or monthly windows, and spending limits differ widely across institutions. You should confirm the facility's active cutoff schedule and order allowances by calling them directly. If an order is placed after the weekly processing deadline, it will be held until the following distribution cycle, leaving your loved one waiting an extra cycle for fresh supplies.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Place a Commissary Package Order
- Confirm the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned booking identification number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign into your account.
- Select Commissary Packs or Gift Packs from the service menu.
- Choose your state and detention center to open the jail's authorized product catalog.
- Search for the inmate to link the order to their active housing record.
- Browse available food bundles, hygiene kits, and clothing options, adding items up to the facility's allowed spending limit.
- Enter your billing details, complete checkout with a credit or debit card, and save your confirmation receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an active online account to receive care packages. JailATM fulfills the order in tamper-evident security containers and delivers it directly to the facility commissary department. Jail staff inspect the shipment and deliver the items during regular housing unit commissary distribution, where the inmate signs for receipt.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Commissary Gift Packs, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Buy Commissary for an Inmate in the Columbia County Detention Center
Columbia County Detention Center Inmate Commissary - Sending Money or Purchasing Commissary for an Inmate
Columbia County Detention Center allows inmates to purchase commissary. This can be snacks, hygiene products, stamps, stationary, clothing and even electronics.
You can buy commissary for an inmate using an online service called Jail ATM.
Questions? Call Jail ATM at 877-810-0914.
There is a monthly limit of $200-300 on how much inmates can spend on commissary items.
This amount is subject to change so call the facility at 706-541-0754 in order to confirm the amount that cannot be exceeded.
Inmates have access to both an in-house commissary store, and commissary packages that can be purchased and shipped to the inmate by friends and family.
Scroll down for information on the Columbia County Detention Center's service they use for you being able to purchase commissary items online and have them shipped directly to the inmate.
You can also go to our Inmate Money page for information on how to send money to an inmate.
JailATM provides a secure electronic payment portal that allows friends and family members to deposit funds directly into an incarcerated person's jail trust and commissary account. Deposited money provides the financial balance needed for your loved one to purchase personal hygiene items, snacks, over-the-counter medical sundries, and correspondence supplies from the facility commissary.
Important: Facility Deposit Rules and Window Intake Vary
Once a person is booked and moved to a housing unit, facilities do not always allow cash drop-offs or phone payments directly to the jail window. Some might and you should confirm this by calling the facility and asking. But if you do not register online and fund your loved one's trust account immediately, they may be forced to wait days or weeks for standard paper processing, leaving them without essential soap, clean undergarments, basic medical sundries or snacks.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Deposit Funds
- Obtain the inmate's legal first and last name, date of birth, and assigned facility booking ID number.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Click Sign In or Register to set up your verified user account using your email address and password.
- Select the state and the detention facility where the inmate is currently housed.
- Search for the inmate using their ID number or legal last name to confirm an exact roster match.
- Enter your desired deposit dollar amount and review the calculated transaction and convenience fees.
- Input your debit or credit card billing details, complete payment authorization, and save your digital receipt.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate does not need an internet account to receive funds. Once the electronic transaction clears, the balance posts directly to their jail trust ledger according to facility accounting schedules. The inmate can review their updated balance at a dayroom pod kiosk or on their weekly trust statement and place orders on their regular commissary day.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Trust & Commissary Money Deposits, JailATM provides several other communication, store, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and hygiene bundles sent directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Gift Packs Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's housing unit kiosk.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Columbia County Detention Center
The Easiest and Securest Way of Depositing Money for an Inmate
There are several methods for depositing money on an inmate's account:
1. To send money online to an inmate in the Columbia County Detention Center use Jail ATM.
.png)
2. If you prefer to use your credit or debit card and deposit money over the phone, you can call them at 877-810-0914.
3. Some jails also have a JailATM kiosk for cash or card deposits. Call the Columbia County Detention Center at 706-541-0754 to ask whether it has one and where it is.
4. The Columbia County Detention Center may also allow you to *mail an inmate a money order or cashier’s check from a trusted source such as the Post Office, a local bank, or Western Union. Ask the jail who the money order should be made out to and what to write on it. To confirm this option call the facility at 706-541-0754.
*When mailing a money order or cashier’s check, send it an envelope by itself. Never send it with a letter or photos for your inmate, unless the facility allows it. Never send personal checks or cash.
5. To ask whether the Columbia County Detention Center takes deposits in person, and when, call 706-541-0754.
Since December 22, 2025, the Columbia County Detention Center in Appling has delivered personal letters, pictures and drawings to inmates on handheld tablets instead of on paper. Personal mail goes to a mail-scanning service, which turns it into a digital copy. Jails made this change because paper was being soaked in drugs like meth and heroin, dried and mailed in. Legal mail, packages and money orders still go to the sheriff's office in Appling.
Letters, pictures and drawings (scanned):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Columbia County Detention Center
P.O. Box 16120
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Legal mail, approved packages, books and money orders (to Appling):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Columbia County Detention Center
Post Office Box 310
Appling, GA 30802
- Full facility name: On the scanning address, write out "Columbia County Detention Center" in full, plus the inmate's name and inmate ID number.
- Sender: Your full name and street address must be written clearly in the top left corner.
- Money orders: Money orders, certified bank checks and government checks can be mailed to the Appling post office box with the inmate's full name and housing unit. Write the payee as the inmate's full name and add their inmate ID number. If you are unsure, call 706-541-0754 to confirm. Cash is a bad idea, since it can't be traced if it is lost.
- Other ways to pay: The lobby kiosk takes cash for a $3 fee, and card deposits can be made online.
- Packages: A package must be approved ahead of time, or it is sent back.
- Books and magazines: New copies mailed straight from the publisher to the Appling address. The jail disposes of any book with too much violence or obscene content.
- Ink: Stick to blue or black pen, with no crayon, marker, lipstick or perfume on the page.
- Not allowed: Letters from someone held in this jail or in any other prison or jail.
Check the inmate inquiry before you write, and use electronic messages when you need to reach someone sooner.
ICSolutions provides secure inmate telecommunications systems that allow incarcerated individuals to place outbound telephone calls from housing pods to friends and family. Because correctional facilities do not accept incoming calls, establishing an AdvancePay prepaid account links funds directly to your 10-digit phone number so calls connect without carrier restrictions.
Important: Wireless Carriers Restrict Inmate Calls by Default
Major mobile cellular carriers do not permit traditional collect calls originating from correctional facilities. While some landlines might support direct monthly billing, mobile devices and internet-based telephone numbers require an active prepaid balance or funded debit account, which you can verify by checking with your provider. If you do not register online and fund an account right away, incoming calls from your loved one will automatically fail to ring through to your phone.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Fund an Account
- Visit www.icsolutions.com or call customer support at 1-888-506-8407.
- Click Create an Account and register using your primary 10-digit telephone number and email address.
- Select the state and facility where the inmate is currently detained.
- Link the inmate to your profile using their full legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Prepaid Collect to link funds to your phone number, or choose Debit Telephone to provide the inmate funds to call any approved number.
- Select your deposit amount and complete payment using a credit or debit card.
- Check your mobile phone settings to ensure unknown or automated numbers are not routed directly to spam.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate dials your 10-digit number from any dayroom phone and enters their assigned PIN. The automated system verifies that your phone number has an active prepaid balance and prompts you to accept the call. All non-privileged conversations are recorded and monitored by the facility.
Official Provider: ICSolutions Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-506-8407
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by ICSolutions
In addition to AdvancePay Prepaid Calling Accounts, ICSolutions provides voicemail and video visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Voicemail Services: Leave one-way voice messages that your loved one can listen to on dayroom phones.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Voicemail Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Voicemail - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Video Visits - Access Secure Deposits (Partner Trust Transfers): Deposit trust money into an inmate's account via Keefe Group partner networks.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections Trust Deposits
ICSolutions Inmate Voicemail allows family members and approved contacts to leave a private, recorded voice message for an incarcerated individual. Because outside callers cannot phone an inmate directly, this one-way voice messaging feature ensures critical family updates and legal news reach your loved one even when you cannot be near your telephone to answer live calls.
Important: Voicemail Feature Availability Varies by Facility
Inmate voicemail is not enabled at every correctional facility contracted with ICSolutions. Jails determine whether to offer voicemail services based on local security protocols and monitoring capabilities, which you should confirm with the facility directly. If your loved one's detention center does not support voicemail, you must set up an AdvancePay calling account so they can reach you directly during dayroom phone hours.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Leave an Inmate Voicemail
- Log into your existing profile at www.icsolutions.com or dial 1-888-506-8407.
- Confirm that your loved one's detention facility supports the voicemail feature.
- Dial the facility's dedicated ICSolutions voicemail access telephone number provided on your dashboard.
- Follow the automated voice prompts and enter the inmate's booking identification number.
- Record your personal voice message (typically up to 3 minutes in length).
- Accept the call charges using funds from your prepaid account balance or a credit card.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
When the inmate logs onto any housing unit telephone using their assigned PIN, the automated system notifies them that a new voicemail is waiting in their queue. The inmate follows the audio prompts to play the recording. All messages are subject to monitoring and recording by correctional staff.
Official Provider: ICSolutions Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-888-506-8407
Support Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by ICSolutions
In addition to Inmate Voicemail Services, ICSolutions operates live calling and video visitation options:
- AdvancePay Prepaid Calling Accounts: Prepay for phone calling minutes so your loved one can call your telephone directly.
• Learn more on our website: AdvancePay Calling Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Prepaid Calling - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: ICSolutions Video Visits - Access Secure Deposits (Partner Trust Transfers): Deposit trust money into an inmate's account via Keefe Group partner networks.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: Access Corrections Trust Deposits
JailATM Digital Messaging allows friends and family to exchange electronic letters and family photos directly with an incarcerated individual through housing unit kiosks. Messages and approved digital attachments clear facility screening in hours, eliminating the lengthy transit delays associated with traditional postal mail.
Important: Electronic Mail Screening and Rules Vary
Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls, and traditional postal mail rules differ across correctional agencies. While some facilities still allow regular handwritten letters, many jails have transitioned to digital-only mail scanning or restrict postal delivery, which you can verify by checking facility rules. If you do not register online and purchase messaging credits immediately, your loved one may face lengthy periods without direct written contact from family.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Register and Send Messages
- Go to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ and sign in or create a user profile.
- Select Messaging from the available services dashboard.
- Select your state and facility, then search for the inmate using their full legal name or booking ID.
- Purchase messaging credits using a major debit or credit card.
- Compose your message in the text editor and attach approved JPEG photos if permitted by facility guidelines.
- Submit your message to the facility's screening queue.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
All electronic correspondence is screened by facility staff before delivery. Once approved, the message arrives in the inmate's inbox on their housing unit JailATM kiosk. The inmate logs in with their PIN, opens the message, views any attached photos, and types an electronic reply using their available credits.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and visitation services at participating facilities:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
JailATM (operated by Tech Friends, Inc.) provides secure handheld tablets to incarcerated individuals in county detention facilities. Operating on an encrypted facility network, these tablets give inmates access to digital messaging, scanned mail review, video calls, institutional requests, educational materials, and entertainment options directly from their housing pods.
Important: Tablet Hardware Deployment and Rental Rules Vary
Detention centers do not manage tablet distribution identically. While some agencies issue individual personal tablets to every detainee at booking, others utilize shared pod docking stations or restrict tablet use to specific dayroom hours, which you should confirm with the facility directly. Although core educational and legal resources are generally provided free of charge, sending messages, listening to music, or making phone calls from the tablet requires an active balance funded by outside contacts.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Support and Fund JailATM Tablets
- Confirm that JailATM / Tech Friends tablets are active at your loved one's specific detention facility.
- Navigate to deposits.jailatm.com/webdeposits/ on your computer or mobile device.
- Sign into your verified user profile and link the inmate's legal name and booking ID number.
- Select Tablet Funds or Inmate Trust Deposits from your services dashboard.
- Specify your deposit amount, review convenience fees, and enter your credit or debit card billing details.
- Submit payment, save your confirmation receipt, and notify your loved one that funds have posted to their account.
What the Inmate Needs to Do
The inmate unlocks their assigned tablet using their unique inmate PIN or biometric scan. Their available balance appears on the screen, allowing them to download music, read scanned correspondence, write messages, and participate in scheduled video visits. Devices are returned to charging carts during facility quiet hours and shift counts.
Official Provider: JailATM Official Website
Customer Service Telephone: 1-877-810-0614
Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST
Supported Languages: English and Spanish
Other Services Provided by JailATM
In addition to Tablet Services, JailATM provides several other communication, financial, and store services:
- Inmate Trust & Commissary Money Deposits: Send money directly into an inmate's jail trust account for independent commissary spending.
• Learn more on our website: Inmate Trust Deposits Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Trust Deposits - Commissary Gift Packs & Store Ordering: Order pre-approved snack boxes, food packages, and clothing directly to the jail.
• Learn more on our website: Commissary Orders Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Store Orders - Digital Messaging & Picture Sharing: Send electronic messages and photos directly to an inmate's kiosk or tablet.
• Learn more on our website: Digital Messaging Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Messaging - Remote Video Visitation: Schedule and join live video visits from home using your computer or smartphone.
• Learn more on our website: Video Visitation Guide | • Visit official vendor page: JailATM Video Visits
Columbia County Juvenile Facilities
- Jail (Main): 706-541-0754
- Sheriff: 706-541-1042
The Columbia County Detention Center serves the following cities and towns of Columbia County: Appling, Grovetown, Harlem and Martinez.