1000 Jim Hammock Drive
McRae, GA 31055
229-868-7778
Fax: 229-868-7964

Facility Public Information Officer: Carol Lavely (229-868-7778, ext. 2204; Carol.Lavely@correctionscorp.com)

Facility Type: Male, low-security, Owned since 2000

Warden: Walt Wells

Walter Wells was named warden at McRae Correctional Facility in 2008. Previously, Wells served as warden at Cibola County Correctional Center beginning October 2006, bringing more than 36 years of correctional experience to the facility. In 1970, after receiving his bachelor's degree in Sociology from West Georgia College, he began his career as a counselor for the Georgia Department of Corrections at the Atlanta Advancement Center. After three years of counseling, Wells assumed the duties of superintendent at the Wheeler Community Corrections Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Wells received a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Georgia. Wells began a 21-year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a case manager at the U.S. penitentiary in Atlanta, serving in several facilities and advanced to the level of warden.

Total beds: 1524

Customer base: Federal Bureau of Prisons

ACA Accreditation: Yes

Covering 444 square miles, Telfair County is located in south central Georgia, 154 miles southeast of Atlanta and 70 miles south of Macon. The county, which has a population of approximately 11,700 people, encompasses six municipalities, including McRae, the county seat. The other municipalities are Helena, Jacksonville, Lumber City, Milan, and Scotland. Telfair enjoys mild temperatures year-round, with an average year-round temperature of 65 degrees F. Winters are mild with an average high of 55 degrees F, while summers are warm with an average high of 93 degrees F and low of 75 degrees F.

Community Relations: Jay Roberts - Representative, Georgia House of Representatives; Ross Tolleson - Senator, Georgia State Senate; Brenda Clark - Administrator, City of McRae; Carey Clark - Superintendent, Telfair Board of Education; Tim Sumner, Proprietor, Badcock Home Furnishings and More of McRae; Dr. Howard Abdney, Director, Little Ocmulgee Technical College; Janeen Tokar - Administrator, City of Helena; Joan Hartley - Administrator, Taylor-Telfair Regional Hospital; Debbie Bullard - Administrative Assistant, Little Ocmulgee EMC; Gene Johnson - Clerk of Superior Court, Telfair County; Wayne Jones - Assistant Manager, Farmers Furniture of McRae; William McKinnon - Pastor, World Outreach Church; Murphy McRae - Pastor, House of Prayer; Earl Merritt - President, The Security State Bank; Herman Moore - Chairman, Development Authority of Telfair County; Wilson Bowen - Chairman, Telfair County Board of Commissioners; Ryan Waldrep - President, Telfair County Chamber of Commerce; Ken Wilcox - Chief of Police, City of McRae

Community Activities: Telfair County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, American Red Cross & Relay for Life, Local Food Drives and Christmas Angel Tree

Programs Offered: EDUCATIONAL: General Education Development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL) VOCATIONAL: including Carpentry, Masonry, Art and Electrical Wiring Classes Life Skills Classes

Visitation Schedule: Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tour Contact: Executive Assistant & Facility P.I.O. Carol Lavely. Tours are limited [229-868-7778, ext. 2204]

Please address any health concerns/issues in writing to the facility specific Warden, ensuring to include a detailed explanation of the concern/issue. If the concern/issue, cannot be resolved though the organization (facility), the public is encouraged to contact the Joint Commission's Office of Quality Monitoring to report any concerns or register complaints about a Joint Commission-accredited health care organization by either calling 1-800-994-6610 or emailing complaint@jcaho.org.