Why You Probably Can't Visit During Diagnostic: Lee Arrendale's Transfer Timeline Explained

Lee Arrendale State Prison is the Georgia Department of Corrections' female diagnostic facility. Most women housed there are going through assessment and classification, not serving long-term sentences. Once decisions are made about permanent placement, transfers happen quickly. For families, this creates a frustrating but predictable pattern. Women in diagnostic status at Lee Arrendale usually transfer out before they become eligible for visitation. So even if you're ready to make the trip and follow the normal visit process, your loved one likely won't be in a "visitable" status long enough for a visit to actually happen.

Diagnostic processing at Lee Arrendale is designed to wrap up within 10 business days of arrival. That timeline can stretch longer if someone needs upper-level medical or mental health care, which can delay parts of the process. Once processing is complete, transfers tend to move fast. Placement decisions are made and bed space at the receiving facility drives the timeline. This is exactly why planning a visit during diagnostic so often leads to last-minute cancellations or a wasted trip: your loved one may be transferred before visitation eligibility is even on the table.

Visits during diagnostic status are only allowed under extenuating circumstances. If you believe your situation qualifies, contact the facility directly and ask whether an exception can be considered given your loved one's current status.

While your loved one is being processed, Lee Arrendale provides orientation materials that can help your family get grounded. New arrivals receive an orientation packet, a phone list, and a visitation packet. For many families, the first official confirmation comes as a letter notifying you of the arrival at Lee Arrendale along with other pertinent information. If you haven't received that letter yet, you may still be in the early part of intake, where information is limited and status can change quickly.

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• ✓ Call to verify whether your loved one is still at Lee Arrendale and whether they are eligible for visitation yet.
• ✓ If you think an exception should apply, ask directly whether visitation can be granted under extenuating circumstances for their current diagnostic status.
• ✓ Use the orientation letter (when it arrives) as a key reference point, since it notifies family of arrival and includes pertinent information.
• ✓ Before you rely on a saved number or an old contact list, double-check the phone number and email you’re using so your request reaches the right office.

Two contacts are commonly used for reaching Lee Arrendale: Julie Yeargin (julie.yeargin@gdc.ga.gov, 706-776-4731) and Warden Murray Tatum (706-776-4800). If you're trying to confirm diagnostic status, transfer timing, or whether a visitation exception is possible, these contacts are often the quickest route.

1. Watch for the orientation letter - It may be the first official notice to family that confirms arrival at Lee Arrendale and shares key details.
2. Use the 10-business-day window as your baseline - Diagnostic is designed to wrap within 10 business days, but it can take longer when higher-level medical or mental health care is needed.
3. Don’t plan travel until you confirm eligibility - Because most diagnostic offenders transfer before they become eligible for visitation, confirm location and visit status first, then make plans.