Sending Mail to Inmates in Tennessee
All outgoing and incoming mail for inmate's in Tennessee prisons are processed through the facilities mail room before being sent or received. The mail room staff will open and inspect all incoming mail for contraband, and may read the contents of mail to ensure the safety and security of the institution. Legal mail may be opened and inspected in the presence of the inmate but will not be read. When an inmate is transferred to a different facility their mail will be forwarded for a short period of time, usually around thirty days. Mail is delivered five days a week during normal business hours.
In addition to letters, inmate's can receive 4"x6" photographs. Polaroid photographs are not allowed as these present a security risk. No photos may contain nudity. Newspaper and magazine clippings are also allowed, but should not be glued, stapled or contain paper clips.
At no time are you allowed to send cash, checks, or any other items to an inmate. Offenders can purchase stamps, paper, envelopes, pens, and other items from the commissary.
It is important to always include the inmate's full name and identification number on each piece of mail you send to them. Use the following format on your correspondence:
Offender Name, TDOC Identification Number
Facility Name
PO Box or Street address
City, State, Zip Code
Sending Inmate Care Packages to Tennessee Offenders
Friends and family members of inmates can order inmate care packages through Union Supply Direct by visiting their website here. Items available through this company include televisions, fans, candy, shoes, music devices, clothing and more. The months you are allowed to order a package, and items allowed will depend on which facility the inmate is currently incarcerated in. Read this for a listing of the designated ordering months, and other package restrictions.
How to Send Books and Magazines to Inmates in Tennessee
Offenders who are incarcerated in a prison in Tennessee can also receive books, magazines, and newspapers sent directly from a reputable vendor such as Amazon.com. Books must come new directly from Amazon, third party sellers are not allowed. Furthermore hardcover books are prohibited, all books must be paperback editions. You can also order your inmate magazine and newspaper subscriptions. No publications you order may contain nudity or explain how to manufacture, drugs, weapons or alcohol. If you want to learn more about sending publications to an inmate you can read about it here.
Sending Money to Inmates in Tennessee
Inmates located at all prisons in Tennessee (including institutions privately run by CCA) are required to send money through JPAY. Funds can be sent in a variety of ways including:
- Walk In
- Internet
- Phone
Before you can send the funds you will need to know the following information:
- The Inmates Name
- The Inmates TDOC Identification Number
- The current location of the inmate
Deposit by Walk In
Friends and family members can deposit money by visiting any MoneyGram location, this includes CVS and Walmart. You will need to use the receive code 6188. The deposit may be made for a flat fee of $8.95 and can be paid with cash or debit card.
Deposit by Internet
The fastest and most convenient way of sending funds to an inmate in Tennessee is through JPAY. The fee for sending funds online ranges from $3.90-$10.90 depending on the amount you are sending. The transaction can be funded with a debit or credit card.
Deposit Funds Over the Phone
Deposit funds to a Tennessee inmate's account over the phone by calling JPAY at 1-800-574-5729. The fee for sending money over the phone ranges from $4.90-$11.90.
Deposit Funds Through the Mail
When you send funds through the mail you will be charged no fee, but you must purchase a United States Postal Money Order. Although this is the cheapest method, it is also the slowest and takes the longest to be processed into the inmate's account. Money orders must be made payable to "JPAY" and include the inmate's Name and ID number in the memo field. You must also fill out a Tennessee Money Order Deposit Slip for inmates and include it with the money order. Mail the completed money order and deposit slip to:
JPAY
P.O. Box 279010
Miramar, FL 33027
For more information on sending funds to an inmate, read our guide here.
Tennessee Inmate Phone Calls
Inmates in Tennessee prisons have access to telephones periodically throughout the day and can make outgoing collect calls and prepaid calls. All calls (with the exception of legal calls) may be recorded and monitored. Three way calling and call forwarding are prohibited and will cause the call to terminate early.
The phone service provider for Tennessee is GTL AdvancePay. You can setup an account by calling 1-800-483-8314 or by visiting their website at ConnectNetwork.com. The offender can place funds on their own telephone account, and you can make deposits into the inmates phone account.
GTL will charge you a fee for each call, plus a rate per minute. You may be able to drastically reduce your inmate phone bill by setting up your account with a number local to the facility. Learn more about how you can save money on your inmate phone calls.