What to Do If Your Visitation Gets Denied or Revoked in Georgia

The clearest reason GDC can refuse or revoke a visit is anything connected to contraband. That includes being suspected of trying to bring contraband into the facility, or being caught on the premises with it. Even if the situation feels like a misunderstanding, contraband concerns are treated as serious security issues and can lead to an immediate denial or permanent loss of visitation privileges.

Paperwork can trip you up too. If GDC finds you were deceptive on the "significant other" form, they can deny or revoke your visitation privileges. Keep your answers accurate and consistent on any relationship-related forms. Misinformation gets treated as a rule violation, not a simple mistake.

Sometimes visitation gets cut off after a pattern of smaller issues. GDC states that if you have been repeatedly warned about a particular action, your visitation can be denied or revoked. If staff have corrected you more than once, take it seriously and adjust right away. Repeated warnings can be treated as grounds to end your visiting privileges entirely.

Visitation can also be suspended for reasons that have nothing to do with you personally. GDC may suspend visitation privileges to meet special security needs at the facility. These suspensions are driven by safety and operational decisions at the facility level, and they can affect many visitors at once.

Thinking about contacting the Ombudsman because a Warden denied or revoked your visitation? Set your expectations first. The Ombudsman unit does not have the authority to overturn a Warden's decision to deny or revoke visitation.

That said, the Ombudsman isn't useless. GDC describes the Ombudsman as a bridge that gathers information and helps ensure offender rights and safety are protected. But they generally expect problems to be worked at the facility level first. For example, when families raise medical concerns, you can contact facility staff on your loved one's behalf. However, GDC asks that you encourage the inmate to use the inmate grievance process.

1. Have your loved one use the inmate grievance process - GDC asks inmates to use the grievance process, even when family members are also trying to get answers (this is the expectation they state in other serious concerns, including medical issues).
2. Start with the inmate’s counselor - If the issue is not being addressed, begin the contact chain at the facility with the counselor.
3. Escalate to the chief counselor - If you do not get resolution, move up to the chief counselor.
4. Contact the Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment - If it is still not addressed, the next step is the Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment.
5. Contact the Warden - The Warden is the next level in the order GDC lists.
6. Contact Ombudsman staff last - After you have tried the facility contacts above, Ombudsman staff come at the end of the escalation order.

Verify Before Visit

• ✓ Ask whether visitation is currently suspended due to special security needs at the facility
• ✓ Confirm what behaviors or situations can lead to a refusal or revocation, including anything related to suspected attempts to introduce contraband
• ✓ If a “significant other” form applies to you, confirm what is required and make sure the information you provide is accurate and complete

Verify the rules before you make the trip. No outside office can simply "fix it" at the front door. Since the Ombudsman cannot overturn a Warden's visitation decision, the best way to protect your ability to visit is to prevent avoidable denials. Confirm the facility's current expectations ahead of time.