How to Find Someone Incarcerated in Tennessee

Locating an inmate in Tennessee is easy, courtesy of the numerous online search options available to family members and friends. Indeed, did you know you only need to know at least the last name of an offender to locate them remotely in a Tennessee state prison? And did you know that most law enforcement agencies consider police reports public records? Hence, they avail their current inmate listings to the public via their official websites. Then, if you need to locate an offender in Tennessee, start by exploring any of the following search options: -

1. Tennessee Statewide Inmate Search

Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has an elaborate database of felony offenders serving time in a Tennessee state prison. The Felony Offender Search is accessible to the public from the department's official website or mobile app. And you only need the offender's name, TDOC number, or State ID to locate them, as detailed below: -

1. Go to https://www.tn.gov/correction/redirect-agency-services/foil.html or download the MyTN mobile app
2. Click 'Search Now'
3. Provide the offender's name, TDOC number, or State ID in the search query form
4. Tick the box to allow searching using aliases
5. Verify that you are not a robot
6. Click 'Search'
7. The search results will display the following offender details: -

• Biographical Information – Name & Aliases, Mug Shot, Birth Date, TDOC ID, State ID Number (SID)
• Physical Characteristics – Sex, Race, Height, Complexion, Weight, Eye Color, Hair Color
• Current Custody Status - Supervision Status, Assigned Location, Combined Sentence(s) Length, Supervision/Custody Level, Sentence Begin Date, Sentence End Date, Release Eligibility Date, Parole Hearing Date, Parole Hearing Result, Active Tennessee Sentences

If your inmate search is for conducting a criminal background check, click on the link at the bottom of the search results or go to https://www.tn.gov/tbi/divisions/cjis-division/background-checks and the criminal background report online or via mail. 

2. Locating Detainees in Tennessee Jails

Arresting law enforcement agencies in towns and counties have jails as their primary holding facilities. The agencies detain the offenders for an average of 45 days as they complete investigations, undergo court hearings, trial, and sentencing, or await release or transfer to prison. Still, some detainees serve time in jails for petty offenses whose sentence does not exceed 12 months.

Then, if you know which law enforcement agency made an arrest or the kind of charges the individual is facing, contact the agency to confirm the whereabouts of the offender. Besides, most law enforcement agencies maintain online inmate listings accessible to the public. Use them to view the offender's personal details, criminal history, and current custody details.

3. In-Person Lookup

If all your online inmate searches bear no fruit, consider visiting your local law enforcement agency or Tennessee Department of Corrections offices in person to confirm. Get the relevant contacts from the agency's websites and book an appointment with the jail or prison administrator during business hours.

Tennessee Jails Roster

Tennessee jail rosters are inmate listings maintained by city or county jails. They detail all individuals in custody, their arrest and booking information, list of charges, and custody status. Tennessee Sheriff's and Police Departments maintain their jail rosters online or make them accessible for scrutiny at their jail lobbies.

Tennessee Prison System 

Tennessee's prison system comprises 12 state prisons, two federal prisons, seven private prisons, a private facility, 113 jails, 26 juvenile detention centers, and a youth correctional facility. Here, TDOC operates the 12 state prisons located in the West Tennessee Region, Middle Tennessee Region, and East Tennessee Region. The state prisons care for approximately 30,000 offenders serving sentences of at least 12 months.

Here are additional facts about the Tennessee prison system: -

• TDOC contracts CoreCivic to operate the seven Tennessee private prisons and decongest the state prisons. Indeed, massive riots and violence due to overcrowding in state prisons resulted in the enactment of the Comprehensive Corrections Improvement Act to guarantee the safety and security of all inmates.
• The 113 Tennessee city and county jails serve as temporary holding facilities for approximately 19,000 detainees awaiting trial, sentencing, release, or transfer to other correctional facilities. Also, they detain inmates sentenced to 12 months or less
• There is one stand-alone medium-security federal prison and a minimum-security federal prison camp in Tennessee. The two facilities accommodate up to 1,106 offenders daily and another 8,100 offenders annually. Most federal inmates face charges relating to drug trafficking, firearms, and robbery. They reside at immigration detention centers for an average of 166 months.
• The average sentence for felons in Tennessee state prisons is 16 years

Types of Correctional Facilities in Tennessee

Tennessee Prisons and Jails