How to Get Approved to Visit Someone at Coffee Correctional Institute

At Coffee Correctional Institute, the offender requests specific people for visitation approval as "immediate family." This typically includes parents, siblings, a spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, and children. If you're in one of those categories, you're on the straightforward track - submit the standard visitation request and wait for the facility's decision.

Not immediate family? You may still get approved, but it has to happen through the Significant Relationship Visitor process - and the offender must initiate it. This category covers people who aren't immediate family but could provide rehabilitative support: step-parents, step-siblings, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, employers, pastors, and similar relationships. Don't submit the significant-relationship request yourself and hope it works. The process starts with the offender completing the correct application.

You'll need to fill out the Visitation Request Form. Once it's complete, submit it to the facility where your loved one is incarcerated. Keep a copy of what you submit - even a photo of the completed form works. That way you can reference it later if there's a delay or something needs correcting.

Send your completed Visitation Request Form to the facility where the offender is currently housed - in this case, Coffee Correctional Institute. If you're mailing anything, include the offender's name and GDC number. Use the Georgia Department of Corrections "Find a Facility" tool to confirm the correct mailing address before sending. That extra step prevents delays from paperwork going to the wrong place.

Significant Relationship Visitor requests go to the Warden/Superintendent for review. That's the official who decides whether to grant visitation privileges under this process.

After you submit the form, the offender receives the approval or denial - and they're responsible for letting you know. If you're waiting and haven't heard anything, ask your loved one whether a decision has come back yet.

1. Confirm you’re not “immediate family” - If you’re a friend, pastor, employer, step-relation, in-law, or another non-immediate connection, your visit generally has to be handled as a significant relationship.
2. Have the offender complete the Significant Relationship Visitor Application - The offender must fill out the “Significant Relationship Visitor Application for Visitation Privilege.”
3. The facility routes it for review - That application is sent to the Warden/Superintendent for review.
4. Be ready to provide support if asked - Depending on what the facility requests, the offender may need information or documentation from you to support the relationship.

• ✓ Step-parent, step-sibling, or step-child/step-son/step-daughter
• ✓ In-law
• ✓ Aunt/uncle, cousin, niece/nephew, half-brother/half-sister
• ✓ Friend
• ✓ Employer
• ✓ Pastor or other faith leader
• ✓ Any other relationship that could provide rehabilitative support
• ✓ Any supporting information the facility asks for to confirm the relationship (provide what’s requested, and keep it consistent with what’s on the application)

Approval isn't just about paperwork. Your behavior and honesty matter too. The Georgia Department of Corrections can refuse, deny, suspend, or revoke visitation if someone is suspected of introducing contraband, caught with contraband on the premises, or attempts to bring contraband into the facility. Visits can also be denied or revoked if you're deceptive on the significant-relationship form, or if you've been repeatedly warned about something and keep doing it. Visitation privileges may also be suspended to meet special security needs at the facility.

Next Steps If Denied

• ✓ Ask your loved one whether the facility said why you were denied (the offender is the one who gets the approval/denial notice).
• ✓ If you’re applying as a Significant Relationship Visitor, double-check that the information provided wasn’t misleading or inconsistent - deception on the significant-relationship form can lead to denial or revocation.
• ✓ If the denial relates to conduct issues (like repeated warnings or contraband concerns), take it seriously - those are common reasons visitation can be refused, suspended, or revoked.
• ✓ If you mailed paperwork, confirm it went to the correct facility; use the GDC “Find a Facility” tool to verify the mailing address and make sure the offender’s name and GDC number are included where required.
• ✓ Keep expectations realistic about appeals: the Ombudsman unit does not have the authority to overturn a Warden’s decision regarding visitation.