Close security (men) · State Prison · GDC

Ware State Prison

Waycross, Ware County, Georgia

Visiting schedules change without notice. Always call before traveling.

Call Visiting Office: (912) 285-6402 Info last verified: June 2026

A close-security state prison for men in Waycross, in southeast Georgia — one of the state's higher-security men's prisons.

Statewide rules that apply at every Georgia state prison

These rules are set by GDC and apply at every unit. The full list — including all permitted and prohibited items and the approval process — is in Visiting in Georgia.

Dress code

Shirts must cover the chest, shoulders, back, and waist; women's slacks, dresses, or skirts may be no more than two inches above the knee, and a complete set of foundation garments (bra, slip, and underwear) is required.
No tank, halter, tube, or thin-strap tops, nothing sheer or transparent, and nothing that bares the midriff.
No shorts or above-the-knee slacks for anyone 12 or older (children under 12 may wear shorts); shoes are required for every visitor.

ID: Every visitor must first be approved on the person's visiting list — apply on GDC's Application for Visitation Privilege, mailed to the prison (the warden has 14 working days to decide) — and visitors 16 and older must show a government-issued photo ID, which is held during the visit. The visiting list can be changed only when the person reaches a permanent facility or during May or November.
What to bring: Bring only a photo ID, a car key, and up to $20 in coins (or a vending debit card where accepted). No outside food or drink (store-bought baby formula is the exception), and no phones, cameras, or bags; money for the person is sent through JPay, never handed over at a visit.
Scheduling: Visits are by appointment through GDC's online portal, on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays in two-hour blocks; requests for a given week are accepted Monday through Wednesday. A newly received person in diagnostic status is generally not eligible for visits until reaching a permanent prison.

Full statewide rules: Visiting in Georgia

Overview

Ware State Prison, on Harris Road in Waycross, Ware County, is a close-security state prison for men in southeast Georgia. It is one of the state’s higher-security men’s prisons, with a capacity of about 1,546. Programs at the facility include vocational and counseling offerings, a canine unit, and a corrections emergency response team.

What Makes Ware State Prison Different

It is a close-security prison, one of the higher-security custody levels in the Georgia system, so visiting and movement may be more restricted.
It is in southeast Georgia, in Waycross, Ware County, near the Okefenokee Swamp.

Visiting

The statewide GDC rules above — the approved visitor list, the dress code, ID, and item limits — apply at Ware State Prison. The facility’s own arrangements:

The full approval process is in Visiting in Georgia.

Getting There and Parking

The prison is on Harris Road in Waycross, in Ware County in southeast Georgia, near the Okefenokee Swamp.

Distances are approximate, based on map routing. Visitor parking is on site.

Nearby Services

Waycross has the closest gas, food, and lodging. The nearest 24-hour emergency room is in the Waycross area. Confirm hospital locations and hours before traveling.

Mail

Personal mail goes to the facility, addressed with the person’s full name and GDC ID number. Georgia is moving toward centralized mail handling, so confirm the current mailing address before sending. Books and magazines must come from a publisher or established retailer, and legal mail is opened only in the person’s presence. Full rules are in Mail & Packages.

Learn More

For detailed information about visiting and communicating with someone in a Georgia state prison:

Visiting in Georgia — the approved list, dress code, and the appointment portal
Mail & Packages — addressing mail and the publisher-only rule
Phone & Video Calls — Securus calls and tablet messaging
Sending Money — depositing through JPay
Medical & Mental Health — the co-pay, grievances, and the Ombudsman
Transfers & Finding Someone — intake, permanent assignment, and the locator

Sources

This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.