Sending Books & Magazines to an Inmate at Chatham County Jail (What’s allowed and the right address)

Chatham County Jail accepts a short list of items through the mail: softcover books ordered from a commercial vendor, magazine subscriptions, legal mail, and religious material. That's it. Everything else gets treated as contraband and destroyed - so don't slip in letters, photos, bookmarks, or personal notes with a book order.

Regular personal mail works differently. Non-legal, non-commercial mail goes through JailATM's scanning process - the original gets destroyed, and the content is delivered electronically on kiosks or tablets. That's why reading material needs to be a permitted publication (softcover book from a vendor or magazine subscription) sent to the correct address.

Even with perfect addressing, inmates can only keep up to four (4) paperback books, magazines, and other publications at a time. Send one or two items at a time, or check what they already have - otherwise your order might arrive when they're already at the limit.

For softcover books (ordered through a commercial vendor), magazine subscriptions, legal mail, and religious material, use this exact address format: Inmate ID # – Inmate Full Name Chatham County Jail 1074 Carl Griffin Drive Savannah, GA 31405 Put the inmate’s ID number and full name on the first line so staff can match the item to the right person.

Need to confirm a policy or clear up an addressing question? The Chatham County Sheriff's Complex is at 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405, and the main phone number is 912-652-7700. Note that the facility address (1050) and the publications mailing address (1074) are different - use 1074 for books and subscriptions as shown above. I'd recommend calling to verify before placing a large order.

Ordering Tips

• ✓ Send only what’s authorized: softcover books from a commercial vendor, magazine subscriptions, legal mail, or religious material
• ✓ Use the required label format: “Inmate ID # – Inmate Full Name”
• ✓ Address publications to: Chatham County Jail, 1074 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405
• ✓ Don’t include “extras” in the package (letters, photos, notes, or other items) since anything outside the allowed list is treated as contraband and destroyed

Items that don't meet addressing rules may be returned or discarded - a policy in place since August 1, 2020. And if a letter is marked "Return to Sender" and arrives back at the jail after Feb. 22, 2021, it gets destroyed. Don't count on getting a returned envelope back if something goes wrong.

Questions about a rejected publication, returned item, or which address to use? Contact the Chatham County Sheriff's Complex at 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405 or call 912-652-7700. Have the inmate's full name and ID number ready - it helps staff look things up faster.