Tennessee Inmate Search, Prison and Jail Information (2024)

Tennessee inmate records aremade up of all the files and accompanying documentation that follows anoffender through the penal system in the state. It may include fingerprints,mugshots, forms, audio and videotape, digital records, and more.

These records originated withlaw enforcement when an arrest is made. After that, it comes from the courtsand confinement facilities. Things like police reports, charges, sentencing,and attendance files may be included.

The Tennessee Department ofCorrection is the government agency in charge of all Tennessee inmates,records, and facilities. They make it easy to locate some records, but othersmay be more difficult to find.

Tennessee Prison and Jail System

The state of Tennessee hasfourteen state prisons. Ten of these are owned and operated by the TennesseeDepartment of Correction, and four others are privately owned prisons throughCoreCivic. They divided the facilities into three regions: East TennesseeRegion, Middle Tennessee Region, and West Tennessee Region.

The state also has dozens oflocal county jails owned and operated by the towns and counties. Thesefacilities hold temporary inmates serving short sentences or before theirtrial.

There are about 30,000 inmatesin state prison in Tennessee. There are also 19,000 people held in county jailsand another 8,100 in federal prison.

How to Search for Inmates in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department ofCorrection hasa “Felony Offender Locator” on their website so the public can search for someonein prison. The search only works by entering the person’s name. You can alsonarrow it down by race, and you can check off if you want the search matched toknown aliases also.

The list of resultsshows a TDOC ID, a thumbnail mugshot (if available), name, birthdate, status,and their current location. You can click any TDOC ID to see additional detailslike a full physical description, dates of incarceration, and a parole date.You can also view their conviction details with a court case number to find outmore.

Types of Jails in Tennessee

How to Contact, Send Money to or Visit an Inmate in Tennessee

To send mail to someoneincarcerated in Tennessee, first, you need to know where they are located. Youalso need their TOMIS ID (prison identifier), their name, and the address ofthe prison where they are held. Each piece of mail must be addressed as such:

OffenderName/TOMIS IDNumber

Name of Prison

Address of Prison

Inmatevisitation is encouraged by the Tennessee Department of Correction.However, visitors and inmates must follow all the rules. No contraband or drugsis allowed during visitation. Any violation of the rules will be met with harshpunishment.

The Tennessee Department ofCorrection has partnered with ConnectNetwork for phone services. You can sendmoney to an inmate’s phone account by following the instructions on this page.

Tennessee’s DOC allows inmatesto keep bank accounts to purchase snacks and toiletries from the canteen.Friends and family can depositmoney into these accounts for inmates through the phone,online, and using cash. Money orders are preferred. The DOC uses the JPaysystem.

Police Departments in Tennessee

Tennessee Counties