How do I find an inmate or search a jail roster?

Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) (state prisons) / County Sheriff's Office / County Jail or Workhouse (county level - 95 counties)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

Online searches free; certified records requests may involve fees ONLINE OPTION: Yes - TDOC FOIL at tn.gov/correction; county Sheriff websites WHERE TO GO: TDOC (state prisons, parole, probation); County Sheriff's Office/Jail (county inmates)

Online Option

Yes - TDOC FOIL at tn.gov/correction; county Sheriff websites

Where to Go

TDOC (state prisons, parole, probation); County Sheriff's Office/Jail (county inmates)

County-specific variations apply

TN's 95 counties each operate county jails through their Sheriff's Office. Shelby County (Memphis), Davidson County (Nashville Metro has Criminal Justice Center, not just a "jail"), Knox County, Hamilton County, and Montgomery County (near Fort Campbell - high military activity) have the best online tools. Very small rural TN counties (Perry, Hancock, Clay, Pickett, etc.) may have very limited online access and very small jails.

Tennessee Notes

Important state-specific details

TDOC FOIL (Felony Offender Information Lookup): TN's comprehensive system covers state inmates AND those on parole, probation, and supervision - excellent and includes current status, photo, and release information.
MyTN app: TDOC FOIL also accessible through Tennessee's government services app.
TDOC manages state prisons including Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility, Bledsoe County Correctional Complex, Morgan County Correctional Complex, and others; plus private prisons under contract.
County jails operated by County Sheriffs - separate from TDOC; recent arrests will NOT appear in TDOC database.
TN Sex Offender Registry - tn.gov/tbi/criminal-investigation-division/sex-offender-registry-unit.html - searchable online; managed by TN Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
For visitation, phone calls, sending money, commissary, or mailing to a TN inmate: inmateaid.com has TDOC and county jail facility details.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Tennessee Department of Correction - tn.gov/correction | (615) 741-1000 | 320 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243; FOIL: tn.gov/correction/agency-services/foil