County Jail - Commander Dane Collins

Commander Dane Collins began his career with the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office in 1993 after receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army. He was assigned to the Muscogee County Jail as a Correctional Officer in July of 1993. He was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in March of 2004 after completing the Basic Law Enforcement Course at the Columbus Regional Police Academy. He was the Honor Graduate of class 94-1.

He was assigned to the patrol division later that year and served as a Patrol Deputy for the next 5 years. During his time in the Patrol Division he served on the Honor Guard and as a CPR Instructor.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2000 and was reassigned to the Jail Division. During his time as a Sergeant he completed the Instructor Training Course, CERT Course, and the Field Training Officer Course. He served on the CERT and Mobile Field Force Units. He designed and supervised a Field Training Program for all new employees of the Sheriff’s Office. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008. On January 01, 2009 Commander Collins was promoted to Commander and in charge of the Muscogee County Jail.

Commander Collins is a graduate of the DOD Defense Language Institute Czech/Slovak Language Program in Monterey, Ca. He holds a Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University and a Masters Degree in Management from Troy State University. He also serves as an adjunct Instructor at the West Georgia Police Academy in Columbus.

About the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office County Jail

The Muscogee County Sheriff's Office County Jail opened in December 2002. The cost to construct the new Jail was approximately $17 million. The facility is located next to the old Muscogee County Jail Complex. Construction of the County Jail began in 1999. The new facility was funded by revenue bonds.

Click here to get directionsThe County Jail contains 24 new cellblocks in addition to the 12 cellblocks in the old jail section, these include special management cells and isolation cells for the close custody inmates. The Administration Section has been expanded and there is a new intake section and visitation section. New and improved security measures have been installed as well. The new building contains a larger medical facility. There are more clinic cells and beds near the clinic. Due to the design of interior outside yards, inmates will no longer utilize the exterior outside yards. The new facility houses the Sheriff's Identification Section, where fingerprinting and classification is provided for all of the law enforcement agencies for all Muscogee County inmates. Investigation of crime scenes is also done through the Sheriff's ID section.

The 1939 Jail facility will no longer be used to house inmates. Instead, it will be used for storage space, training facilities, and administrative offices. The 1984 Jail facility is scheduled to be updated and renovated. It will continue to house inmates as well as provide administrative office space.

Click here for information about the County Jail's inmate visitation process.
 

About the Correctional Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.)

The Muscogee County Jail has a Special Operations unit called the Correctional Emergency Response Team. C.E.R.T. utilizes a group of specially trained and equipped officers to facilitate the movement of combative inmates from a cell, housing unit, or others within the County Jail. This unit is responsible for the security and safety of the Correction Personnel and inmates at the Muscogee County Jail. The Correctional Emergency Response Team is made up of four squads of officers.
 

Inmate Programs

Inmate programs in the Muscogee County Jail are focused on providing the inmate necessary tools to successfully reintegrate back into the community once they are released. The Muscogee County Jail partners with many community organizations to provide a variety of education and life-skills programs in the jail.

Data indicates that jail programs decrease incidents of inmate on inmate and inmate on staff violence. Providing inmate programs is a tool for the jail staff to use to decrease inmate conflict and violence within the jail, because inmate participation is only approved for those with good behavior history. Programs within the Muscogee County Jail are available for most inmates, however priority is generally given to those who will be released back into our local community. The following programs are currently available at the Muscogee County Jail:

  • Life Skills I – Conflict Resolution
  • Life Skills II – Social Adaptation
  • Alcohol and Drug Program Rehabilitation
  • GED Program
  • Alcoholics Anonymous
  • 12-Step Recovery (Faith Based)
  • Peer-to-Peer Mental Health
  • Reentry Counseling

The Muscogee County Jail is also fortunate to have a full-time Chaplain on staff. Our Chaplain visits with inmates of all faiths and coordinates a substantial number of faith-based volunteers. Since it's inception, our Chaplain Program has greatly reduced tension and conflict within the facility. Our Chaplain is supported by the contributions of many local congregations to whom we are eternally grateful.