What to Expect During Your Loved One's First 10 Days at Lee Arrendale State Prison
The first days after intake can feel like a blur, especially when you're waiting for a phone call or any kind of update. Here's what typically happens during your loved one's first 10 business days at Lee Arrendale State Prison, from Day 1 intake steps and Day 2 medical processing to the orientation information your family may receive.
Lee Arrendale State Prison is the Georgia Department of Corrections female diagnostic facility. Most women entering the state prison system come here first. Staff complete an initial diagnostic process to identify needs across programming, medical care, mental health care, and related services before deciding the next phase of custody.
Diagnostic processing at Lee Arrendale is designed to wrap up within 10 business days of arrival. If you're counting the days at home, keep in mind that the facility runs on business days. Weekends don't move the clock forward the same way.
Sometimes the process takes longer. If your loved one needs higher-level medical care or higher-level mental health care, additional time beyond the 10 business days may be needed so the right evaluations can happen before diagnostics are considered complete.
Day1 Intake
- ✓ Shower
- ✓ Delousing
- ✓ Photo taken
- ✓ Clothing, bed roll, and ID issued
- ✓ Intake packet completed
Note: Day 1 is paperwork-heavy and procedure-focused. Don't be surprised if communication is limited while intake steps are being completed.
Day 2 usually shifts to medical processing. At Lee Arrendale, this can include labs drawn for blood work, a Pap smear, physical examinations, and DNA collection. If your loved one mentions having a long medical day early on, this is likely what they're referring to.
By the end of the 10-business-day window, the diagnostic process should be wrapping up. Your loved one may mention final reviews or meetings as staff finish what's needed to complete diagnostics within that timeframe.
If higher-level medical care or higher-level mental health care is needed, those needs can extend the timeline. The wait is frustrating on the outside, but it usually means extra time is being taken to address care needs before diagnostics are finished.
Orientation and Family Info
- ✓ Orientation packet
- ✓ Phone list
- ✓ Visitation packet
- ✓ Letter to family notifying them of arrival and pertinent information
- Track the timeline in business days - The diagnostic process is designed to be completed within 10 business days of arrival, so weekends can make the wait feel longer.
- Expect possible delays for higher-level care needs - If your loved one requires higher-level medical or mental health care, diagnostics may take additional time beyond the 10 business days.
- Watch for the family arrival letter - One of the orientation items is a letter to family notifying you of arrival and other pertinent information. Keep an eye on your mail and save it when it comes.
- Use the orientation materials to plan next steps - The orientation packet, phone list, and visitation packet are meant to help your loved one (and you) understand communication and visiting options as they become available.
Note: The arrival letter is a key piece of family notification during this period. If you're worried about timing, reach out through official facility contact channels to ask what you should expect next.
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