Tennessee Inmate Search

Inmate records are generated and maintained by correctional facilities in Tennessee. These records contain detailed information on individuals confined to a prison or jail in the state. Inmate records are created when the offender is first received at the facility. Information contained in inmate records may consist of:

• Name
• Gender
• Race
• Date of Birth
• Booking photo
• Inmate’s arrival time
• Incarceration details
• Information on all transfers
• Release date, if applicable

The Tennessee Department of Corrections is responsible for providing access to information regarding inmates incarcerated in the state’s correctional facilities. However, inmate records that contain sensitive or confidential information may be exempt from public disclosure. Some examples of exempted inmate details inaccessible to the general public include:

• Medical information of inmates who may have been exposed to life-threatening diseases or pathogens
• Parole information, based on social, physical, mental, psychiatric, and criminal data
• Information regarding acts of violence committed against any guard, employee, or inmate
• Medical information of deceased inmates, as well as the funeral home where the body was sent
• Identifying information that may place the safety of an inmate in jeopardy

Tennessee State Prisons

The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) oversees 14 state prisons, housing over 20,000 inmates. These facilities include both state-run and privately managed institutions, each offering varying security levels from minimum to maximum, including close custody, death row units, and special needs facilities. Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, located in Nashville, is Tennessee’s largest men’s prison. It was opened in 1989, housing approximately 786 adult male inmates, of whom around 480 are classified as high-risk, including Tennessee’s male death row population.

Riverbend Maximum Security Institution
7475 Cockrill Bend Blvd,
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 350-3100
Fax: (615) 350-3103

Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center (DJRC), formerly known as the Tennessee Prison for Women, is the largest and primary women’s facility in Nashville. It was opened in 1966 and has a capacity of 817 inmates across all custody levels, including death row.

Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center
3881 Stewarts Lane,
Nashville, TN 37243-0468.
Phone: (615) 741-1255

How Do I Find An Inmate In Tennessee?

All inmates in the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) facilities have unique 6-digit identification numbers registered in the Tennessee Offender Management Information System (TOMIS). The TDOC provides an online Felony Offender Information Database where an inmate’s TOMIS ID, state ID, full name, and race may be input to request information such as:

• Inmates’ current status
• Parole eligibility
• Location

The TDOC recommends that extensive inmate records be obtained from the originating agency as information provided in the database may arrive late or may be incomplete. The TDOC website also provides access to official statewide criminal background checks from the Tennessee Bureau of investigations where only citizens may obtain a criminal record on any Tennessee adult individual. Note that each request costs $29.

The desktop version of the Felony Offender Information database provides photos (if available) and active sentences of inmates. Citizens may also download the Felony Offender Information mobile app on Google Play or the App Store. However, users on the mobile app are currently unable to access booking photos. To find inmates in county/local jails that do not provide an online database, interested persons may contact the jail using the contact information provided on the law enforcement section of the county website. Alternatively, requestors may directly contact the specific jail with information available on the jail’s website.

How To Find A Federal Inmate In Tennessee?

The Federal Correctional Institution, Memphis (FCI Memphis), houses federal inmates in Tennessee and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), a United States Department of Justice division. The BOP maintains records of federal inmates incarcerated from 1982 to date, while information regarding inmates incarcerated before 1982 is held by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

The records available in the BOP’s database may contain information about individuals who were detained but never served a federal sentence. Requestors may use the Inmate Locator tool provided by the BOP to search for inmate records using the following queries:

• BOP register number
• District of Columbia Department of Corrections (DCDC) number
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) number
• Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) number

Requestors may also search for inmates using the first name, middle name, last name, race, age, and sex of the offender. Search results display inmate information, including current location and release date.

Requestors seeking information from NARA may submit an online application for NARA records. This requires registering an account and paying a fee using a credit card. Requestors may also contact NARA using the contact us link on the NARA website. The following information should be provided when making requests:

• Inmate name
• Date of birth or approximate age at the time of incarceration
• Race
• Approximate dates in prison

How Do I Find Inmate Records In Tennessee?

The Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) maintains records on inmates incarcerated in several prisons and jails in the state. Written requests for public records may be submitted to the TDOC in writing to the following address:

Tennessee Department of Corrections
Records Management
2nd Floor, Rachel Jackson Building
Nashville, Tennessee 37243–0465
(615) 253–8079

Persons submitting a written request are generally required to include all or some of the following information:

• Contact Information—name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
• Reason for request
• Full name of the offender, Tennessee Offender Identification Number (TOMIS), date of birth, and social security number
• A detailed description of the information being requested from the record

The TDOC also allows interested persons to request archived records on old inmates. Requests are submitted online through the portal provided in the TDOC Request Center. Requestors should create an account by providing their personal information and location. Submitted requests for archived records may attract charges, depending on the documents requested. In such instances, requesters are notified of the charges after completing the request.

Records that are considered public may be accessible from some third-party websites. Operating independently of any federal, state, or local agency, such websites may simplify the search process as they are not limited by geographic location. In addition, third-party sites typically have search engines that can be used to filter specific or multiple records. To use third-party or government websites, interested parties may need to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state that the person resides in or was accused in

However, third-party sites are independent of government sources and are not sponsored by these agencies. Because of this, record availability cannot be guaranteed.

How To Put Money in Jail Inmates' Books in Tennessee?

There are several ways through which family and friends may deposit money into an inmate’s account in the state of Tennessee. These include:

• Money Order
• Online
• Walk-in
• Phone

Individuals sending money online to any inmate in Tennessee are typically required to provide the following information:

• Inmate’s full name
• State
• TOMIS ID number
• BOP Register number (Federal inmates only)

Does Tennessee Use JPay for Inmates?

Yes, JPay services are active in all Tennessee state prisons. Families and friends can send money through:

• By mailing a money order.
• Making a payment online
• Phone

Money Order

Individuals seeking to send money to an inmate in Tennessee may do so by mail through a money order. Money order deposits are available to the offender within three business days of receipt at the lockbox. However, money orders sent directly to a TDOC facility are generally unaccepted. Persons interested in sending funds via a money order may do so by filling out a deposit slip.

Completing the slip requires information about the inmate, such as the ID number, full name, and the institution where the inmate is held. The form also requires information on the requester, such as a first name, last name, phone number, date of birth, address, city, and deposit amount. A maximum of $999.99 is typically permitted. Send the deposit slip by mail to:

JPay
P.O. Box 279010
Miramar, FL 33027.

Online

Through JPay’s online services, funds may be deposited into an inmate’s account using a credit or debit card. Users may visit the JPay website or download the JPay mobile app for iOS and Android. Note that the lowest fee for online payment is $3.90 for a deposit between $0.01 and $20. The highest fee is $10.90 for a deposit between $200 and $300. A complete list of transaction fees is available on the Offender Trust Fund Account section of the TDOC website.

Walk-in

Individuals seeking to deposit money into an inmate’s account may walk into a nearby MoneyGram location and use “6188” as the code for payment processing. Walk-in deposits attract a flat fee of $8.95.

Phone

Family and friends may also send money to an inmate by speaking with a live agent. To make a deposit, call JPay’s 24-hour toll-free line at (800) 574–5729. Payments are posted to the facilities by the next business day. Note, the lowest fee for phone deposit between $0.01 and $20 is $4.90, while the highest fee is $11.90 for a deposit between $200 and $300.

Inmates can receive emails and video messages, use tablets, and schedule video visits at select Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) facilities. Phone calls are handled through ViaPath/ConnectNetwork. For more info, visit the TDOC’s Offender Trust Fund Account page.