Why the Lowndes County "Current Inmates" Roster Is Offline, and What to Do Instead

The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office website has a notice on the "Current Inmates" page explaining the outage. According to the site, the roster is temporarily unavailable because the agency is switching to a new Inmate Management System.

Need a quick answer about whether someone is in custody or was just booked? Calling is usually your fastest option while the online roster is down. The Sheriff's Office homepage lists the jail phone number as 229-671-3000. The Open Records Request form lists (229) 671-2900, which handles Sheriff's Office and records-related questions. That number can also help if you're not sure who to contact.

• ✓ Full legal name (spell it out if it’s commonly misspelled)
• ✓ Date of birth (have it ready before you call)
• ✓ Booking number, if you already have one
• ✓ Ask whether the person is currently in custody
• ✓ Ask for the booking number and booking date, if staff can provide it
• ✓ Ask what the current custody status is (for example, held there vs. transferred), if they can share that by phone

If you need official documentation rather than just a verbal confirmation, use the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office open records process. The Open Records Request form lists Ashley Paulk as Sheriff and gives multiple ways to submit your request. You can send the form by email, fax, or mail.

1. Complete the Open Records Request form: Be as specific as you can about what you are requesting.
2. Submit it using one of the listed methods: Email it to sorecords@lowndescounty.com, fax it to (229) 333-5141, or mail it to 120 Prison Farm Road, Valdosta, GA 31601.
3. Follow up if you are on a deadline: If timing matters, call the Sheriff’s Office line on the form to confirm the request was received and ask what the next step is.

The notice on the Current Inmates page explains the roster is offline due to the transition to a new Inmate Management System. There's no public timeline for when the listing will return. Until then, use phone calls or formal records requests for anything time-sensitive.

• ✓ Check the Current Inmates page again periodically to see if the roster has been restored
• ✓ Call the jail at 229-671-3000 to confirm current custody or booking status
• ✓ If you are trying to get directed to the right office for documentation, call (229) 671-2900 (the number listed on the Open Records Request form)

S5

• ✓ Write down the person’s full legal name and date of birth before you call
• ✓ Ask for the booking number and booking date, then keep that information in one place
• ✓ Keep a simple call log (date, time, who you spoke with, and what you were told)
• ✓ If you are given any reference or confirmation number, write it down immediately

Phone calls to the jail can be hit or miss. You might get transferred or asked to call back depending on who's available. That's normal. If you need something for court, employment, housing, or any other official purpose, go through the open records process. Don't treat a phone confirmation as final documentation.