How to Contact an Inmate at Houston County Detention (GA)

Houston County Detention uses PayTel for video visitation. Visits happen from the housing units and last 20 minutes each, assuming the inmate's phone and visitation privileges haven't been revoked for disciplinary reasons. The facility currently lists the cost at $0.30 per minute (set by PayTel). To get started, you'll need to create a visitor account through PayTel online and submit a clear, readable photo ID (like a driver's license) for Detention Center staff to review. Approval has to happen before you can schedule anything. If someone submits false identification or tries to set up an account for a person the Detention Center has already denied access to, the account will be automatically rejected. All video visitations, whether remote or from the front lobby, are monitored by Detention Center staff.

If you're an attorney or other court personnel, in-person visitation has resumed. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Visits outside those windows need prior approval. For questions about current procedures or the approval process, call the Detention Center at (478) 218-4900.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Create your PayTel visitor account online (this is how you get set up to speak with and see an inmate at Houston County Detention).
• ✓ Upload a readable photo ID (for example, a driver’s license) so Detention Center staff can review and approve you.
• ✓ Do not submit false identification and do not try to create an account for someone who has been denied access by the Detention Center, it can trigger an automatic denial.
• ✓ Plan for 20-minute remote video visits, assuming the inmate’s phone/visitation privileges have not been revoked for disciplinary reasons.
• ✓ Budget for PayTel’s video-visit rate. The facility lists the current cost as $0.30 per minute (pricing is set by PayTel).

Before you rely on a screenshot or an old set of instructions, double-check the details that change most often. PayTel controls video visitation pricing, and the facility currently lists $0.30 per minute. Confirm the rate before you schedule. Make sure your PayTel account submission includes a readable photo ID, since Detention Center staff review it before granting approval. If you're an attorney or court personnel planning an in-person visit, verify the Monday through Friday hours (8:00 am to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm) and ask what "prior approval" actually involves if you need a visit outside those times.

1. Call the Detention Center: Use (478) 218-4900.
2. Confirm the current rules: Ask about video visitation setup requirements, current pricing, and any recent policy changes.
3. Verify timing and approvals: If you need an in-person legal visit outside the posted hours, ask who can approve it and how to request that approval.