Finding out a loved one is being held at the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center Lovejoy usually feels like hitting a brick wall. It’s a place people don’t think about until they absolutely have to. Located about 25 miles south of Atlanta in the small town of Lovejoy, this facility is a major hub for federal detainees in Georgia.
Honestly, the setup is kinda confusing. It’s a private prison, owned and operated by The GEO Group, but it houses people for the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This means the rules can change depending on who’s holding the person you're looking for.
The Lowdown on the Facility
The building itself has a weird history. It was built back in 1984 and actually sat condemned for about three years before GEO Group stepped in, renovated the whole thing in 2007, and reopened it in 2008. It’s sitting on 22 acres of land and can hold roughly 768 people.
You’ve probably seen the heavy fencing and the 190+ cameras if you’ve ever driven past 11866 Hastings Bridge Road. Inside, it's divided into four main housing clusters. Most of the pods are double-occupancy cells. It's not just a "jail" in the local sense—it's a transit point. Many people here are awaiting trial or waiting to be moved to a federal prison after being sentenced.
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How to Find Someone at Robert A. Deyton Detention Center Lovejoy
If you’re trying to track someone down, the first thing you need to know is which agency has them. This is where most people get stuck.
If they are an ICE detainee, you should use the Online Detainee Locator System. You’ll need their A-Number (Alien Registration Number) or their full legal name and country of birth. If they’re with the U.S. Marshals, it’s a bit trickier because the Marshals don’t have a public-facing live search tool like the Bureau of Prisons. You basically have to call the facility directly at (770) 305-8000.
Visiting Rules and Reality
Don't just show up. Seriously. You’ll be turned away at the gate.
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- Male Detainees: Usually have visitation Monday through Thursday from 12:30 PM to 4:25 PM.
- Female Detainees: Only get Fridays, same time slot.
- Identification: You need a valid government ID. If you're not a U.S. citizen, a passport or a Matricula Consular is usually required.
The visits are typically "non-contact," meaning you're looking through glass or using a video screen. It’s tough. Each pod has its own visiting area, so you aren't all crowded into one giant room, which gives a tiny bit of privacy, but not much.
The "Private" Factor
There’s a lot of debate about private prisons. Since Robert A. Deyton is run by GEO Group, they operate under a contract. Back in 2022, a former officer there was actually arrested for trying to smuggle in contraband—phones, knives, that sort of thing. It’s a reminder that even with high security, things happen.
The cost is another thing people talk about. When ICE started using this facility more heavily after Atlanta stopped housing federal detainees, it came out that the government pays about $114 per day per person. That's significantly more than what it used to cost at the Atlanta City Jail.
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Practical Steps for Families
If you have someone inside the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center Lovejoy, here is the "to-do" list:
- Verify the Custody: Call (770) 305-8000. Ask specifically for the records department to confirm the person is actually there.
- Bail vs. Bond: You cannot pay an immigration bond at the facility. You have to go to the ICE-ERO facility in downtown Atlanta (180 Ted Turner Drive SW) to handle that.
- Money for Calls: Detainees use a specific phone system. You’ll likely need to set up an account through a third-party provider like TouchPay or GTL to make sure they can call you out.
- Mail: Address envelopes very clearly with the inmate's full name and ID number. Don't send cash. Stick to letters and photos that follow the strict facility rules (no Polaroids, no stickers).
Dealing with the system here is a marathon, not a sprint. The staff are generally professional but very "by the book," so being polite and having your paperwork ready goes a long way.
If you're looking for legal help, several non-profits in Georgia, like Project South or the Center for Immigration Assistance, keep a close eye on the Robert A. Deyton Detention Center. They can often provide resources or guidance if you feel like a detainee's rights aren't being respected.