If Your Loved One Isn't Getting Medical Care or Reports an Assault: Steps for Families

If your loved one isn't getting proper medical treatment, encourage them to file a grievance. This internal paperwork trail matters - it's how the Georgia Department of Corrections expects incarcerated people to document problems and request action. Even if you plan to call on their behalf, having them file a grievance keeps the concern on record inside the facility.

Contact Order Medical

• ✓ Inmate’s Counselor
• ✓ Chief Counselor
• ✓ Deputy Warden of Care & Treatment
• ✓ Warden
• ✓ Regional Director
• ✓ Ombudsman staff

You can contact staff on your loved one's behalf, but the department still expects the inmate to use the grievance process first. When you do reach out, work your way up the chain: start with the inmate's counselor, then move to the next level if you don't get a response or the issue goes unaddressed. Running both tracks - your calls and your loved one's grievance - gives the concern the best chance of being handled through official channels.

1. Report it immediately - Your loved one should report any assault (sexual or physical) as soon as it’s safe to do so.
2. Tell the counselor - They can start the process and route the report appropriately.
3. Notify custody leadership - Your loved one can also report to the Deputy Warden and/or the Warden so staff can take appropriate action.

If your loved one reports an assault, you can contact staff too. Families can reach out to the counselor, Deputy Warden, Warden, or Ombudsman on the inmate's behalf. You won't see every detail of how the facility responds, but reporting to the right people helps ensure the concern reaches staff who can act on it.

The Georgia Department of Corrections Ombudsman Unit serves as a bridge between concerned citizens and the department. They gather information, stay impartial, and work toward resolution. If you feel stuck after trying the normal chain of contacts, the Ombudsman is a place to escalate.