Chatham County, GA Sheriff's Department, Jails and Offender Search

About the County  

Chatham County is located on Georgia’s Atlantic coast and has its county seat in Savannah. The county is one of the oldest in the state, formed in 1777, and has its name derived from William Pitt the Elder, earl of Chatham.  

Chatham County is now a central hub for industry and transportation. Several large corporations, including International Paper and Kerr-McGee, operate facilities in the area. Additionally, the county seat, Savannah, is a major tourist attraction site, hosting the annual St. Patrick’s Day, a significant event in the United States. Tybee Island is also one of Georgia’s few publicly accessible beaches, which is a popular destination in the summer. 

In terms of population growth, the 2020 census results indicate that the county has 295,291 people, a 13.65 % increase from 2010. The census report further shows that the county covers 632 square miles, 206 of the area being land, and the rest is water.  

About the County Sheriff’s Office 

Chatham County Sheriff’s Office was founded in 1732, making it one of the oldest law enforcement departments in the United States. The Sheriff is the overall office’s authority who ensures the department achieves its goal of community protection and enforcement of county, state, and national laws.  

The following are the additional services provided by the Sheriff’s Office through various divisions and programs:  

The Court Services Division  

This division comprises officers who ensure the Courthouses are safe and secure during and after proceedings. The officers comprise deputies (40) and security personnel (26), who undergo special training for efficiency. Additionally, the Courthouses have over 60 CCTVs, and it’s the duty of these deputies to monitor them.  

Other services of this division include:  

• Operating X-Ray Machines and Walk-Through Metal Detectors at the Courthouses Entrances  
• Managing the Occupant Emergency Plan. The plan aims to ensure safe execution from the Courthouse premises in case of disasters like fire and bomb threats.  

Secondary Metals Recycler 

Chatham County allows residents to purchase regulated metal items as long as they register annually via the Sheriff’s Office. This requirement is per Georgia’s statutes which require Sheriff’s Offices to maintain records of secondary metal recyclers. The regulations further require Sheriffs to input the information into a searchable statewide database. This action was necessary to curb the state’s widespread metal theft.  

Follow this link to download the Secondary Metals Recycler Registration form. Alternatively, you should visit the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office at 1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, GA 31405, to pick up the form. Notably, the annual registration fee is $200.  

Law Enforcement using the K-9 Unit  

The purpose of the K-9 Unit in Chatham County is to help respond to emergencies. The canines are expertly trained to enhance the capabilities of the patrol division at crime scenes. Moreover, the expert training helps the K-9s detect explosives and narcotics while giving physical and emotional support to their handlers. The canines are also effective in flushing violent criminals out of their hideouts.  

Currently, the unit has ten canines – Six for narcotic detection and flushing out offenders and four for explosive detection.  

The Corrections Bureau  

The Sheriff’s Office runs the Chatham County Detention Center in the Sheriff’s Complex. The initial inmate capacity in the facility was 300, but this number kept changing with the increase in the inmate population. Currently, the Detention Center can house up to 1739 inmates, including those awaiting trial or sentencing. The duration of sentences varies as the facility can house inmates serving time for serious crimes, including murder.  

County Inmate Search 

The inmate search process varies from county to county. However, Chatham County has made this process easy through the Sheriff’s Office by providing an online search website that allows you to access information on bookings that happen within a 24-hour duration.  

To perform a search, access the website and input the inmate’s name on the provided area. A successful search will give the following detainee details: 

• Name  
• Arrest Date  
• Arrest Number  
• Charges  

If you want to access information other than the abovementioned, visit the Sheriff’s Office and review the jail roster. The roster is also available in the facility’s lobby.  

Inmate Search using the Sex Offender Registry  

The Georgia Sex Offender Registry contains information on registered sex offenders in the state. This information remains on the website even after their release for the benefit of the general public. Additionally, the law requires them to comply with registration requirements which include regularly reporting their whereabouts.  

The following are the search options available: 

• Offender Type  
• First/Last Name  
• County  
• City and Street  
• Zip Code  

A successful search highlights an offender’s entire profile, including: 

• Mugshots 
• Incarceration Status  
• Physical Description  
• Area of Residence  
• Last Known Address  

In addition, you’ll find information on their compliance with registration requirements.   

Inmate Search through the DOC’s Website  

An inmate may be transferred from county custody to a state-run correctional facility. The main causes of this scenario include a change in the prisoner’s security status and court-ordered transfer. If any of these cases happen, utilize the Georgia Department of Corrections to learn about your loved one’s whereabouts.  

The website allows you to perform the following searches: 

• Search by Name  
• Search by ID or Case Number  

The most accurate option is the ID or Case Number since these details are unique to each inmate.

Chatham County Sheriffs Department

Address

1050 Carl Griffin Drive, Savannah, Georgia, 31405

Phone

912-652-7795

Fax

912-652-7660

Website

website

County Jails in Chatham County, GA

Police Departments in Chatham County, GA

State Prisons in Chatham County, GA

Chatham County, GA Incarceration Statistics

Chatham County, GA Jail Inmate Population, Jail Pretrial Population and Confined Population, for 2010-2015 years

Chatham County, GA Female Population, Rate & Count for 2010-2015 years

Chatham County, GA Male Population, Rate & Count for 2010-2015 years

Chatham County, GA Incarceration Rates by Race, for 2010-2015 years