Hi there

I'm in London, UK and planning to visit a friend on Georgia DR later in the year. Any information or advice would be really helpful. For instance, which is the nearest airport? Is there public transport (ie, buses/trains?)

The red tape seems horrendous - I have to get a copy of my "police record" - I don't have a "police record" :o) get it notarised (at least £60), it must then be sent straight from the Police station to the prison, then I have to fill out reams of forms with loads of information .......

I'm struggling already. Anything anyone could tell me would be very helpful.

Thanks in anticipation of your help!


Maggie B

I believe Atlanta Georgia is going to be where the nearest airport it. Why cant you jsut complete a visitors application?

website to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport http://www.atlanta-airport.com/

Oh yeah---the prison is in a very small town, Jackson Georgia but its right off the interstate so easy to find.

Good luck!

When we US citizens fill out a visitor application, they do a background check on us. But if the applicant is outside the US, the DOC has no way to do a background check. So they make the applicant get a statement from the police station in their own country verifying that they do not have a criminal record.

Hi Mike

yes I can get a statement from the Police, but, the prison wants it notarised and sent direct from the Police. The Police will not do this unless I pay for it (notarisation costs £60 - over 100 dollars - per document, plus VAT @ 17.5%) and then I have to make an application in writing to the Police, they have told me it will not be top of their priority list. Also I have to sign and notarise several other documents and send them to the prison. As I'm trying to do this on a shoestring :( I'm beginning to think that I'll have to give up on the idea. Which would be such a shame for my friend, he is just so excited about me visiting.

I've visited Death Row in Texas several times and had no such problems, all I had to do was to show my passport and ticket once I got to the Unit.

:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

I wish you good luck and patience with all this procedures!
Transportation might be a problem - its not like in europe! You might get a shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel, but how will you get to prison and back? A rental car would be the best thing to get! You´ll have day time to spend outside the prison, so it is also a cool thing to have a car to drive around!

I wish you good luck and patience with all this procedures!
Transportation might be a problem - its not like in europe! You might get a shuttle bus from the airport to your hotel, but how will you get to prison and back? A rental car would be the best thing to get! You´ll have day time to spend outside the prison, so it is also a cool thing to have a car to drive around!
I would really like to hire a car, but, having driven on the left hand side for 25 years, I think I would find it extremely difficult to adjust - I'd be OK on the straight, but when it comes to the turns I'd go right into the oncoming traffic!!!!

I've had offers from some really wonderful people to collect me from the airport and find me somewhere to stay - so, with a little help, I'll be fine - but its this business about filling out the forms etc. thats the problem.

Anyhow thanks for your good wishes


Maggie

Maggie
I was like that, I am in Australia, and just came back from Texas, and wouldnt hire a car (no way in that traffic). But I have lived in GA, and I drove there, and it wasnt that bad, it was more laid back (though around Atlanta it got confusing).

As for the police check, I believe that the prisons that allow contact visit require that. I have had to have one of those before as well, and pay for it. I believe its different in Texas, because the visits are all non contact, though it does vary state to state.

I hope it all works out for you, and you get to visit your friend!!!