FAQs

Administration

  • The Prison operates under the authority of the Georgia Department of Corrections and only houses state offenders who have been convicted and sentenced in court.

  • Visit the JailATM website to deposit money to an offender’s account.

  • Visit the ICSolutions website to setup a debit or prepaid telephone account.

  • Inmates of this facility are assigned to our care by the Georgia Department of Corrections.  If you are attempting to have an offender moved closer to you, you should have the offender make the request to his counselor at his current facility.

  • Inmates of this facility are assigned to our care by the Georgia Department of Corrections.  If you are attempting to have an offender moved closer to you, you should have the offender make the request to his counselor at his current facility.

  • The State Board of Pardons and Parole has a computerized information system that can be accessed from a touch tone phone at (404) 656-5651, or by visiting their website.

  • The Georgia Department of Corrections information desk can be reached at (404) 656-4593, or by visiting their website.

Building FAQs

  • The following criteria are required for development in Rome/Floyd County:

    • 2018 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, 2015 Energy Code, and 2020 National Electrical Code.
    • City/County codes, except for fire sprinkler requirements, mirror Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes listed on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website
    • Codes include Georgia amendments made by the state and amendments supersede the codes.
    • Seismic Design Category C
    • Wind speed: 115 m.p.h. Ultimate design wind speeds
    • Soil bearing capacity of minimum 1500 psf
    • Frost depth: minimum 12 inches
    • Ground snow load: 8 pounds per square foot
    • Pool and Pool Fence/Enclosure
    • Deck Guidelines

  • Local codes require a permit be issued when work is to be performed on a structure. The inspections that follow the issuance of the permit may uncover unsatisfactory work, faulty materials or violations of the code that could result in unsafe and hazardous conditions for you, your family, your employees or the general public.

  • Permits are the way the City of Rome/Floyd County regulates construction. There are several different types of permits, based on the type of construction:

    • Building Permit: New construction, additions, alterations, remodels, tenant improvements, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls, fences over 7 feet high (for fences over 6 feet see Planning & Zoning for zoning requirements), or repairs to either residential or non-residential structures.
    • Electrical Permit: New installations, additions, extensions, alterations, changes, and fire and accident repairs of any electrical wiring and electrical equipment associated with a structure or project.
    • Plumbing Permit: New installation, removal, alteration, repair, or replacement of any plumbing, gas, or drainage piping work, or any fixture or water heater or treating equipment in a building or premise.
    • Mechanical Permit: New installations; alterations; repair; replacement; remodel; and/or removal of duct work, heating, venting, or air conditioning equipment (HVAC) and gas piping.
    • Re-roof Permit: Re-roofing requires the replacement of any dry rot or fungus damaged wood and the replacement with new minimum Class A or B, 25 year roofing, flashing and ventilation of enclosed spaces.
    • Demolition Permit: The complete demolition of an existing structure.

  • Most projects will require permits of some kind (building permits and/or other development Permits). This is necessary to ensure that all buildings meet minimum standards which protect its occupants and neighbors in everyday living and in the case of emergencies or natural disasters. Some minor projects are allowed without obtaining building permits. However, depending upon the project, other permits (development permits, encroachment permits, special activities permits, etc.) may be required. In either case, the construction of such projects should be in conformance with all applicable codes. Some of the projects which do not require a building permit are:

    • Retaining walls or planter boxes which are no more than 4' in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) and do not support another structure, fence, or take on additional loads. 
    • Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep. 
    • Single story residential detached buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, etc., as long as the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet and does not have plumbing or electricity.

    Minor improvements typically not needing a permit:

    • Interior or exterior painting
    • Installing draperies or blinds
    • Installing carpeting or resilient floor covering
    • Building or installing movable counters, cases or partitions
    • Building uncovered concrete patios

  • Permits are issued by the Rome-Floyd County Inspections Department located at 607 Broad Street Rome, Georgia. The Inspection Department is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can contact the customer service team by calling 706-236-4481. On some simple jobs, a permit can be obtained during the first visit. However, in most circumstances, more time will be needed to review the plans in detail prior to issuing any permits.

    A minimum of one complete set of plans are required to obtain permits for most residential projects. Two or more sets are needed for Commercial projects or projects which require other permits. Staff at the Customer Service Center can assist you with the requirements for your specific project. In general, however, a complete set includes (but is not necessarily limited to):

    • Site Plan - showing the position of the proposed project in relation to existing buildings, property lines, right of ways, and any easements.
    • Foundation Plan - indicating the type, size and location of new foundations or footings.
    • Floor Plan - detailing the location of walls, supports, size and location of doors, windows, electrical outlets, heaters, plumbing fixtures, smoke detectors, and the square footage of the project. Again, as with the plot plan, what is existing and what is proposed to be built should be clearly noted.
    • Roof Framing - Clearly indicating the size and methods of assembly of roof rafters and ceiling joists, or truss layout. Typically, roof slope and roofing materials are called out on this plan.
    • Floor Framing - Clearly indicating the size and methods of assembly of all floor framing members. Floor joists, girders and sub floor size along with foundation connections should be shown on this plan.
    • Cross Sections - Clearly indicating ceiling heights, wall construction, and R-value of any insulation to be used.
    • Exterior Elevations - Clearly showing how the exterior of the building will look upon completion. Doors, windows, exterior material, etc. should be shown.
    • Energy Calculations - Any time conditioned (heated or cooled) space is added to a building you are required to show compliance with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code by submitting energy calculations.
    • Structural Calculations - Structural calculations may be required if your project is of large size, unusual shape and/or more than two stories in height. These calculations allow the Building Division to verify that structural elements are adequately sized and connected. A lateral analysis is generally required on large projects to determine the capacity of the building to resist lateral motion caused by earthquakes or wind. This portion of the project must be prepared by a licensed engineer.
    • Statement of special inspections is needed for commercial plans.

Common Misconceptions

  • 25% of all animals found in a shelter are AKC or UKC purebreds. Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in this country while only 10,000 people are born. It's simple math--there just aren't enough homes for all of these animals.

  • No, this is not a safe assumption. These animals are a very big part of the pet overpopulation problem because they escape and breed with females in heat.

  • School programming, virtual computers or films can convey the same information in a more caring way. Visiting the local zoo or science center are also available.

  • Having a litter does not in any way improve or change a pet's disposition and can drain her body of nutrients, make her thin, and weaken her teeth and bones.

  • Surgery is performed under anesthesia and animals are usually back on their feet and into normal activities within 24 to 72 hours.

  • Instinct is not affected by hormones. In fact, most pets will actually be more effective at protection after spaying/neutering, as they will have stabilized hormones.

  • Spaying and neutering will not make animals lazy or affect weight gain. Proper amounts of exercise are necessary to maintain the health of your pet.

  • Unless you have a champion dog and can enhance the breed line of your pet's offspring, you will not be successful at making money. Buying or adopting a pet is a commitment and should only be done for the good of the pet and not for breeding purposes that lead to increased overpopulation.

Corrections FAQ - Care and Treatment

  • Yes, everyone (including children and infants) must have a completed visitation application and verifying documents on file with the facility to be on the approved visitation list. If the requesting visitor is below age 18, their legal guardian/parent must sign the visitation application for them. 

  • Click here to download a PDF version of the Application for Visitation.

  • If an offender is arriving from Diagnostics, requested visitors have 30 days from the intake date to turn in all the necessary documents to be considered for visitation privileges and will not be allowed to visit until everything has been received and approved.  Visitation will be granted when all the requested visitors’ applications and verifying documents have been received and approved. If an offender is arriving from another GDC facility, their previous visitation list will remain the same. Those offenders will be given the opportunity to change their visitation list in May or November. Requested visitors will have until the end of May or the end of November to turn in all the necessary documents to be considered for visitation privileges and will not be allowed to visit until everything has been received and approved. 

  •  If all the required documentation and applications have not been received by the specified deadline, you must wait until the designated months for visitation changes (May or November). 

  • If an offender transfers from another facility, their approved visitation list remains as is. There is no need to resubmit an application or verifying documentation. Any pending application will not be reviewed until May or November. 

  • Birth certificates, driver’s licenses, or marriage certificates. We do not need originals. Copies of the verifying documents will be sufficient. 

  • Once all appropriate documents are received, your application will be reviewed and a decision made within 2-3 business days. The offender will be notified to inform you of the approval/denial decision.

     

  • Each offender is limited to two (2) significant relationship visitors. GDC policy defines this as “Friends, employers, pastors, and other relationships that have the potential for rehabilitative support.”

  • No. While it is important for every offender to maintain connections with and the support of family and friends during incarceration, the safety and security of staff, offenders and visitors are critical. Therefore, visitation is a privilege afforded to offenders and should not be considered as a right. 

  • All visitors' vehicles will be parked in the facility's designated visitor parking lot. All windows must be closed and doors locked. Visitors will not park in any of the restricted areas, which have been marked. No persons or pets will be left in vehicles parked in the parking lot on the facility’s grounds for any reason. 

  • Visitors are required to present positive identification prior to their admission for visiting. A driver's license with picture, a picture identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety, or other acceptable photographic identification card will be required of all visitors age sixteen (16) and over. A temporary driver's license issued by the Department of Public Safety will be acceptable when accompanied by some other form of appropriate picture identification.

  • Visitors can only bring into the facility items identified by the facility (i.e., identification card, car keys) No food or drink will be brought into the facility from the outside other than bottled formula or like store-bought products for babies. Visitors will be allowed to bring a maximum of twenty dollars ($20.00) in coins to be used for the vending machines. Funds from visitors for offenders will be accepted only through the mail. Musical instruments, radios, pets, cameras, or tape recorders will not be allowed in the visiting area. 

  • All visitors are subject to a preliminary search of their person by electronic surveillance instruments (metal detectors, etc.). All items brought into the facility by a visitor will be searched by officers assigned to the visitation area. If correctional staff determine that there is reasonable suspicion of violations of department policies on contraband a more thorough search must be conducted. If this occurs, the visit will not be permitted without the visitor consenting to such a search, and then only after the search is completed will the visit occur. 

  • No. One offender's visitors will not be allowed to visit with another offender or his visitors. 

Corrections FAQ - Work Release Center

  • The Work Release Center has partnered with local employers that hire our residents. If a resident meets the employers’ qualifications and there is a position open, then he will be offered a job with that company. 

  • The WRC will provide transportation for residents within a certain mile radius. Transportation charges are deducted from the residents account.  

  • Yes. All residents are encouraged to maintain their current employment once they are released.

  • No. Unauthorized visits to the job site can result in disciplinary action by the employer and the Center. 

  • Resident offenders turn in all earnings to the business office which in turn are deposited into individual resident accounts. Resident offenders are responsible for weekly room and board which is also automatically deducted from their account every week. If funds are available, resident offenders may request a weekly allowance of $50 for use on the vending machines, laundry, etc. Resident offenders are also allowed to provide financial assistance to their families via weekly special allowances from their accounts. Special allowances to cover any outstanding fines, fees, and restitution are also permitted. All remaining funds are maintained securely on the resident offender’s behalf and re-issued to him upon release.

  • The WRC does not have visitation; we have home passes. Each resident is given 2 home passes per month once he is employed full-time. Home passes are given on Sundays from 10am – 3 pm. Residents must be picked up at the center and then returned at 3 pm. If you are going to be picking up a resident for a home pass or to drive him to work you will need to fill out, return, and have an approved alternate driver application on file. We will need a copy of your driver’s license and insurance card on the vehicle to be used.

  • Residents are allowed to request up to $50.00 cash each week. You can bring up to $50.00 cash to a resident anytime during business hours which are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You may also put money on a residents account. This money is used to pay fines/fees, child support and room & board. The resident can also use the money in his account to order from the commissary. The commissary offers hygiene items and grocery items.

  • Care packages are only allowed during his first 2 weeks at the center. If he needs items he cannot acquire from the commissary, he can request permission to have those items mailed in from family or friends. Packages sent without authorization will be returned to sender. 

E-911

    • When a call is received by Floyd E-911, a communications operator answers the line and becomes the point of contact for assistance. 
    • There will be several questions, but the first will be "what is the location of your emergency?"
    • The same communications operator is working a live radio while simultaneously taking the call for assistance. 
    • Answers to questions are being updated in a call that all operators can view as a live feed. 
    • While that phone call for assistance is in progress, another operator is dispatching emergency services to the incident location. The incident address is verified verbally by the operator but also by GPS services of E-911.

  • Click here to submit information regarding:

    • employment opportunities
    • medical / key location
    • livestock information
    • general information

  • The location of the emergency

    The phone number that you are calling from

    The nature of the emergency

    Your name

    Any other descriptions that might help emergency responders locate persons and vehicles or get directions to the emergency.

  • If your utilities are out you should contact the service provider. 

    If you have questions about inclement weather, road conditions or school closings, you should tune to local media. 

  • If you need response from police, fire or emergency medical services you should call 911.

Mail

  • All offender mail with the exception of legal mail, pre-approved books, magazines, and newspapers will be addressed as follows:

    JailATM.com - Floyd County Prison
    Inmate Name / Inmate Number
    925B Peachtree Street NE
    Box 2062
    Atlanta, GA 30309

  • Legal mail may continue to be sent to the facility address.

    Inmate Name / Inmate Number
    329 Blacks Bluff Rd. SW
    Rome, GA 30161

  • Books, magazines, and newspapers require approval from the mailroom staff. Any publications sent without approval will be returned to sender. All books, magazines, and newspapers must be ordered direct from the publisher, no exceptions. Books must be paperback style. No hardcover books allowed.  CDs may be ordered from online vendors such as Amazon, Walmart.com, or Barnes & Noble, and they must be factory sealed. The publisher or vendor may ship these items to the following address:

    Inmate Name / Inmate Number
    329 Blacks Bluff Rd. SW
    Rome, GA 30161

  • All packages require approval from the mail officer. You must receive an approved package slip from the offender and return the form with the approved items. Packages will be returned to sender if unauthorized items are contained therein.

  • Radio / CD players must be purchased from the offender commissary.

RedSpeed School Zone Cameras

  • Instructions for payment by phone, mail, and online can be found on the back of your citation. If digital violation is pulled up, the links are provided for payment. There is also a QR code specific to the violation for payment and other information.

  • No. This is a civil violation and it does not get report to insurance or the DDS. However, if you fail to contest or pay for your violation it can cause a suspension on your vehicle registration.

  • If you were not the driver of the vehicle that received the violation you will need to complete the affidavit provided by accessing your citation online. The affidavit needs to be completed and notarized (blue ink preferred). If you do not have any luck submitting the affidavit to RedSpeed you can also submit the form to the Floyd County Police Department, addressing the attention to Capt. Ron Hunton or Sgt. William Wacker. (Please remember that filing a false or altered document is a felony in the State of Georgia. See O.C.G.A 16-10-20.1)

  • When the speed is enforced at 45 mph (flashing lights) the trigger speed is 11 mph or over (56 mph or over). When the enforced speed is 55 mph, the trigger speed is 14 mph or over (69 mph or over). If you exceed the threshold speed, the RedSpeed System will generate a violation for the suspected vehicle.

  • The RedSpeed System enforces the school day starting at 0700 and ending at 1600. The times between 0715-0830 and 1430-1600 enforce a 45 mph zone. The times in between (0830-1430) enforce a 55 mph zone. During the 45 mph enforcement the school safety zone lights are on. In addition to the lights, enforcement signs have been posted on both the northbound and southbound sides of the roadway.  

  • By Georgia Law the RedSpeed System is calibrated and certified by a third party annually. In addition to this third party certification, the RedSpeed System does an accuracy check two times a day, which is more than required by law. The system is checked for accuracy each day prior to enforcement and then at the end of the day after enforcement hours. If there is an error in any of the accuracy checks, the officers of the department are notified and the citations for that day are dismissed. To date we have not had an error with the system, and we have also conducted third party tests to make sure the system is accurate and precise. 

  • You can contact the number on your RedSpeed Citation to set up a court date. If you have questions about court for your citation, you can contact the Floyd County Probate Court located in Rome, GA. If you choose to contest your violation, an officer with the Floyd County Police Department will proved an evidence packet that will include the certifications, accuracy checks, and other information for the RedSpeed System. The evidence packet will also include specific information about your citation.

  • If you believe the RedSpeed System was wrong in issuing you a citation, you can contact the Floyd County Police Deparment at 706-235-7766 during business hours. A certified officer with the Floyd County Police Department can review the citation and the information given from the RedSpeed System. Please understand that by law we cannot use the video associated with the citation to determine speed, or any other factor of the violation except for identification purposes. If you have questions about the law, please refer to O.C.G.A. § 40-14-18: Enforcement of speed limit in school zones with recorded images; civil monetary penalty; vehicle registration and transfer of title restrictions for failure to pay penalty. When stating your concerns to the FCPD, please include your name, phone number, citation number, vehicle registration, and an email. Please remember to provide a good email in case we cannot reach you by phone. If you are not satisfied with the response from the FCPD officer, you may set up a court date to contest your citation. This will be the appropriate time to argue your case.

  • No. Although in theory the formula is correct, in the case of the violation there are variables related to velocity and acceleration that are not taken into consideration. Also, the violator must realize that technically the video takes place after the violation has occurred. This means if the violator has “slowed down” after passing the trigger point, the video would not reflect the speed at the time of the violation. This is why the law only allows the video to be used for identification purposes only.

  • The reviewing officer with the Floyd County Police Department will not dismiss a citation based on this information. The department has conducted trials with these types of applications and they have proven to be very inaccurate. The application does not work with the topography of the roadways and is also dependent on cellular data which is scarce in that area of Highway 27. 

  • The school zone lights are activated during the times of 0715-0830 and 1430-1600. During these times the speed limit and enforced speed is 45 mph. If you believe the lights are not functioning correctly, you need to contact the Floyd County Police Department. We will check with the electrical department that handles maintenance over those lights and see if they activated correctly. When the lights are activated they create a time stamp to prove they were operational. If the lights were not working properly during the enforcement time, the citations for that time will be dismissed.

  • The RedSpeed System has separate trigger points on the roadway, one for each lane. The system also has multiple cameras dedicated to each lane in each direction of the roadway. This is how the RedSpeed System can identify which vehicle caused the trigger to create the violation. Once the violation is generated it goes through a three step verification before first notice is sent to the violator. The last of these steps being the certified officer with the Floyd County Police Department viewing the information for the violation. If there is a rare error or circumstance, it should be caught by one of the reviewing parties.

  • You can contact the Floyd County Police Department and request another copy. You will need to provide a good email to the person taking your call, and a certified officer will email you a PDF of your citation.

Tag Office

  • All residents who have obtained Georgia license plates during the current year should receive a renewal pre-bill the following year to renew the tag and pay the ad valorem taxes. Payment must be postmarked by the Post Office (not a metered stamp such as Pitney Bowes) before your birthday or they will be considered late.

    If you do not receive your renewal by thirty (30) days prior to your birthday, call 706-291-5150 and a pre-bill will be mailed to you. You may come to the office and have the bill printed for you. For fast, convenient service, mail your tag renewal and application.

  • Georgia law requires new residents to register their vehicles within thirty (30) days of moving into the state. A valid Georgia driver's license and Georgia insurance coverage is required to title and tag your vehicle.

  • Any title transfer will require the new owner to show a valid Georgia driver's license.

  • If you cancel insurance on a vehicle for any reason, you need to contact the Tag Office immediately to cancel the vehicle registration.

  • If you no longer own the vehicle listed on the renewal notice, please discard the notice. Refunds will not be made on tags purchased in error.

  • Georgia law requires that all auto tags be renewed within thirty (30) days before the owner's birthday. Tags expire at midnight on the birthday of the first person listed on the registration as owner. Renewals after this date will be subject to a 10% penalty on the ad valorem tax and a 25% penalty on the tag fee. Georgia law requires collection of penalties and interest on ALL late registrations.

  • Floyd County's Tag Office is located at 101 West 5th Avenue, in the Historic Courthouse. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm.

  • The new decal is to be placed over the year decal on the right side of your tag leaving the birthday month showing.