How to Send Money to an Inmate in a Prison or Jail
Table of Contents
What is Tennessee Inmate Search?
A Tennessee inmate search is a process that allows individuals to access information about persons currently or previously incarcerated in the state's correctional facilities. The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) provides public access to these records through the Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) tool. This online resource enables users to search for felony offenders by name, TDOC ID, or state ID number. The search results offer details such as the offender's current status, location, photo, and active sentences.
In addition to the Felony Offender Information Lookup, the TDOC provides a State Prison List Page where users may search for correctional facility details. By selecting a facility's name, they may access information such as location, contact details, security level, and available programs offered.
Are Inmate Search Records Open to the Public in Tennessee?
Yes. Inmate records are public information per Tennessee's Public Records Act to promote transparency and accountability within the correctional system. However, access to sensitive information, such as those connected to ongoing investigations, medical details, juvenile records, and personal identifiers, is generally exempt from public disclosure.
How To Perform Tennessee Inmate Lookup
To perform an inmate lookup in Tennessee, interested parties may use the TDOC's FOIL tool. Search may be conducted by entering the offender's name, TDOC ID, or state ID number. The search results will provide information including the offender's current status, location, photo, and active sentences. For additional assistance or specific inmate record requests, individuals may contact the TDOC directly at:
Tennessee Department of Correction
320 Sixth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243-0465
Phone: (615) 741-1000
For county-level facilities inmate lookup, some counties in Tennessee have online inmate rosters or search tools. For example, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office offers an Inmate Lookup tool that allows users to search the inmate database by entering the first and last name or by selecting an identifier from a drop-down list.
How To Search for an Inmate in Tennessee
To search for an inmate in Tennessee, you may use the state's Department of Correction (TDOC) Felony Offender Information Locator (FOIL) website. Select search criteria such as inmate's name, TDOC number, or state ID. Enter the first and last names of the inmates and the corresponding identification number.
Adding details such as the date of birth may help narrow the search results. Click the "Search" button to process their query. The search returns detailed information about individuals housed in state facilities, such as:
- Personal details
- Facility information
- Incarceration details
- Offense information
- Custody status
- Parole eligibility
Additionally, the MyTN mobile application offers a convenient way to access the Felony Offender Search on mobile devices.
How To Conduct a Free Inmate Search in Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) offers a free online database for searching felony offenders by name or TDOC ID. Third-party services like RecordsFinder also provide inmate search tools with information from various correctional facilities, though detailed records may require a fee. Also, VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) provides real-time updates on offender custody status and criminal cases. Notifications can be received through phone, email, text, or TTY devices. These platforms enhance public access to offender information and case updates.
How To Find a Federal Inmate in Tennessee
To find federal inmates in Tennessee, anyone may use the Inmate Locator managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This online tool enables users to search for individuals incarcerated in federal facilities nationwide, including those in Tennessee. Searches may be conducted either by name or an inmate's BOP register number, FBI number, or INS number.
The federal correctional facilities located in Tennessee include:
- Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Memphis
- Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Manchester
What Can You Find with State of Tennessee Inmate Search
A Tennessee inmate search will provide the following information about individuals housed in state facilities, as well as those on probation or parole:
- Offender personal details
- Facilities information
- Incarceration details
- Offense and Sentence Information
- Offense history
- Custody status
- Conviction information
- Offender's projected release date
- Parole eligibility
Jail and Inmate Search in Tennessee
Tennessee has an incarceration rate of 817 per 100,000 residents as of 2023. The state's correctional system housed approximately 55,000 inmates across various facilities. County jails held about 26,000 inmates while Community Work Centers accommodated around 1,200 inmates during the same period. The community corrections system in Tennessee oversees a population of 59,010 individuals under probation and 12,630 inmates on parole.
The Tennessee Department of Corrections inmate population is composed of approximately 55% White inmates, 42% Black inmates, and 3% inmates of other races. In contrast, White individuals are incarcerated at rates lower than their proportion within the state's overall population.
Criminal Justice Quick Facts
Tennessee Imprisonment Rate * (per 100,000 population)
817
Probation Population
59,010
Parole Population
12,630
Racial Disparity in Incarceration Rate
Black: White Ratio: 3.4:1
Hispanic: White Ratio: 1:1.7
Disenfranchised Population
234,000 (3.1%)
Disenfranchised African Americans
131,290 (5.19%)
* Tennessee's incarceration rate includes statistical data from prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice centers.
Tennessee Parole Population
At the beginning of 2022, Tennessee's parole population stood at 12,760 and it dropped to 12,630 by the end of the year.
Paroles per 100,000 Population (2022)
Nationwide
267
Tennessee
229
Parole Total Population in Tennessee (2022)
Nationwide
698,820
Tennessee
12,630
Parole Entries and Exits (2022)
Reported Entries
Reported Exits
3,430
Change in 2022, in Percentage and Number
Percent
-1%
Number
-130
Number on Parole per 100,000 U.S. Adult Residents
Decreased by
Tennessee Prisons
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) operates 14 state prisons, including maximum, medium, and minimum-security facilities, along with contracted private prisons and local jail oversight. Notable institutions include Riverbend Maximum Security Institution and Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.
TDOC focuses on inmate rehabilitation through education, job training, and substance abuse programs to support reentry into society. To locate and learn more about these facilities, interested persons may visit the TDOC state prison list page.
State-operated correctional facilities in Tennessee have a staff of 5,142 employees and an annual budget of approximately $1.3 billion. It costs the state an average of $30,000 annually to house each inmate. This includes operational costs and rehabilitation services. Tennessee reported a violent crime rate of 622 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2022, as well as a property crime of approximately 2,302 incidents per 100,000 residents.
| Prison Name | Prison Type |
|---|---|
| Bledsoe County Correctional Complex | State Prison |
| Lois M DeBerry Special Needs Facility | State Prison |
| Mark Luttrell Transition Center | State Prison |
| Memphis FCI | Federal Prison |
| Morgan County Correctional Complex | State Prison |
| Nashville RRM | Federal Prison |
| NECX Carter County Annex | State Prison |
| Northeast Correctional Complex | State Prison |
| Northwest Correctional Complex | State Prison |
| Riverbend Maximum Security Institution | State Prison |
| Tennessee Prison For Women | State Prison |
| Turney Center Industrial Complex | State Prison |
| Turney Center Industrial Complex - Annex | State Prison |
| West Tennessee State Penitentiary | State Prison |
| Women's Therapeutic Residential Center | State Prison |
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions and answers about inmate searches in Tennessee:
Why Is an Inmate Not Showing Up in Search?
An inmate may not appear in a search if they are held in a county jail or if the search criteria entered are incorrect.
Also, inmates transferred to a federal facility may not show up in search. However, to obtain information about such inmates, interested individuals may need to contact the specific facility where they are being held, such as city jails, county jails, or federal prisons. If the issue stems from incorrect search details, double-check the information for any errors.
Alternatively, the Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (TDOC) may be contacted directly for assistance.
How Can You Check If Someone Is in Jail in Tennessee?
To check if someone is in jail in Tennessee, you may take the following steps:
- Use the Inmate Locator tool provided by the Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (TDOC) to conduct an online search
- Contact the TDOC directly for inquiries about individuals housed in state prisons
- Contact the local sheriff's office, particularly for persons charged at the county or local level
How Can You Conduct a Tennessee Prison Inmate Search?
In Tennessee, you may perform a prison inmate search online through the Tennessee Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (TDOC) search portal or by contacting the department directly.
Additionally, trusted third-party platforms such as RecordsFinder may help locate inmate records, though they may charge nominal fees depending on the information requested.
