If you drive down Highway 252 in Folkston, Georgia, the landscape is mostly pines and quiet roads. Then you see it. High fences, razor wire, and a sprawl of concrete. That’s the D. Ray James Correctional Facility. Honestly, it's a place that has spent the last two decades constantly reinventing itself—shifting from a state prison to a federal hub, then sitting empty for a while, and now, it's back in the headlines as a massive cog in the nation’s immigration enforcement machine.
It's huge.
Most people think of it as just another "prison," but its current role is much more specific. As of 2026, it has been fully integrated into the Folkston ICE Processing Center. We’re talking about a facility that was designed to hold thousands of people. It’s owned by The GEO Group, a private company that makes its money running detention centers. This isn't just local news; it’s a flashpoint for national debates on human rights, private profit in the justice system, and how the U.S. handles its borders.
The Wild Shift from State Prison to ICE Hub
Back in 1998, the D. Ray James Correctional Facility opened its doors to house Georgia state inmates. It stayed that way for about twelve years. Then, in 2010, everything changed. The state inmates were moved out, and the federal government moved in. Specifically, it became a "Criminal Alien Requirement" (CAR) facility. This meant it was used almost exclusively for non-citizens convicted of federal crimes—often just for the act of re-entering the country illegally.
By 2021, the Biden administration issued an executive order to phase out federal private prisons. For a second, it looked like D. Ray James might fade away. The Bureau of Prisons contract expired, and the facility sat largely idle. But there was a loophole. The executive order didn't apply to ICE detention.
In June 2025, the GEO Group announced a massive $66 million contract modification. Basically, they "activated" the facility again. It was no longer a standalone prison; it became the centerpiece of what is now one of the largest immigration detention complexes in the United States.
Living Conditions: Mold, Insects, and "Unsanitary" Reports
Let’s get into the weeds because the official brochures from GEO Group say one thing, but government inspectors have said another. In 2022, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) dropped a report that was, frankly, pretty grim.
The inspectors found:
- Widespread mold in the ventilation systems.
- Leaking roofs and water damage.
- Insect infestations in several housing units.
- Poor food quality, including reports of "stale or spoiled" meals.
The report literally described parts of the facility as "dilapidated." It’s a medium-security setup where inmates—or detainees, depending on the current contract—live in a mix of two-person cells and open-bay dormitories. Buildings K, L, and F are the open-bay ones, while units G, H, and I are mostly cells.
If you're looking for the D. Ray James Correctional Facility today, it's important to realize it’s been merged into the larger Folkston ICE Processing Center footprint. This expansion wasn't just about painting the walls. It was a $47 million to $50 million investment to ramp up the capacity to nearly 3,000 beds.
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The Local Economic Tug-of-War
Charlton County is in a tough spot. It’s a rural area. Jobs aren’t exactly growing on trees. When Rep. Buddy Carter announced the expansion in 2025, he hailed it as a "boon" for the local economy. And he’s not wrong about the numbers. The expansion supposedly brought in about 400 jobs. The City of Folkston also gets around $600,000 a year just from water and sewer revenue.
But there's a human cost.
Advocates like Project South and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta have been screaming from the rooftops about the conditions inside. They point to the death of Jaspal Singh, an Indian national who died in 2023 after being held at the Folkston site for nine months. When you have a private company running a facility for profit, the critics argue that "cutting corners" becomes the business model.
Is it a Prison or a Processing Center?
Legally, there’s a difference. Practically, it’s hard to tell.
- The Physicality: It has 104 acres of land, a 135-bed Restrictive Housing Unit (segregation), and a recreation yard with a soccer field and a running track.
- The Staffing: GEO Group employees handle the day-to-day. They run the medical unit, the kitchen, and the security.
- The Population: Today, it’s mostly adult men being held for administrative immigration violations.
What Families and Legal Teams Need to Know
If you have someone inside the D. Ray James Correctional Facility (now the Folkston ICE Processing Center), the rules are strict. You can't just call them. They have to call you. They use tablets now—the "GettingOut" system—to send non-confidential messages.
Visiting Hours (Current 2026 Schedule)
Visitation is usually on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. It’s split by classification:
- Low to Medium Low: Generally 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Saturdays).
- Medium High to High: Generally 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Saturdays).
- Restricted Housing: Very limited windows, usually an hour in the afternoon.
You need a valid government ID. No shorts. No kidding—they are very particular about the dress code.
Legal Access
Attorneys have it a bit better with 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily windows for scheduled visits. But even then, the facility is remote. It’s about 50 miles from Jacksonville and nearly 300 miles from Atlanta. That distance is a huge hurdle for families trying to visit or lawyers trying to build a case.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Families
Dealing with a facility this size is overwhelming. If you're trying to track someone down or help them while they're at D. Ray James, don't just wait for the mail.
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- Use the Online Detainee Locator: ICE has a system where you can search by A-Number or biographical info.
- Check the OIG Reports: If you are concerned about safety or medical neglect, read the past Inspector General reports. They provide the "real" status of the facility's compliance with National Detention Standards.
- Contact Local Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Georgia Detention Watch often have the most up-to-date info on what's actually happening behind the wire.
- G-28 Forms: If you're a lawyer, make sure your G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance) is filed through the ERO eFile system, or the staff won't tell you anything.
The story of the D. Ray James Correctional Facility isn't over. As immigration policy shifts in Washington, this 3,000-bed giant in the Georgia pines will continue to be a primary focus of the U.S. detention system. Whether it's seen as an economic lifesaver or a human rights disaster depends entirely on who you ask—and which side of the fence they're standing on.