The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) supports visitation as part of the overall rehabilitation process and encourages positive engagement with family, friends, and other support contacts. Visitation allows offenders to preserve valuable connections with loved ones, maintain a support system in the community, and has been proven to reduce the risk of recidivism.
Every visitor, regardless of age, must have an approved visitor application on file. Visitors must submit a completed application to the inmate's assigned institution. Applications should be approved or denied within 30 days of receipt. No visitor will be admitted for visitation until the application is approved.
The inmate will receive notification of the application, and whether his/her visitor is approved or denied. It is the inmate's responsibility to advise the visitor of approval or denial.
Visitation is by appointment only. Approved visitors must contact the facility where the inmate is housed to make an appointment. Visitation schedules are established by the Warden and include Saturdays, Sundays, and one evening per week for visitors unable to visit on weekends. Contact information for each facility is listed below.
Smoking/vaping of any kind is not allowed on state property. Firearms, weapons, drugs, and alcohol are strictly prohibited. Vehicle searches may routinely be conducted.
To ensure the safety and security of the facility, all visitors are required to pass through multiple security screenings including a body scanner.
Visitors may only bring their photo ID and car keys or key fob into the visitation area. Baby items, including diapers, formula powder, unopened sealed baby food, etc., are permitted as needed and must be placed in a clear plastic bag. All other items, including phones, smart watches, wallets, etc., should be left in your secured vehicle.
Vending machines are available in most visitation areas and use a debit card system. Vending machine debit cards must be purchased or reloaded in the lobby prior to entering the visitation area.
All visitors, regardless of age, are expected to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Clothing made from spandex or spandex-type fabric, or items transparent or translucent in nature are not allowed. Sleeveless shirts and blouses, dresses or clothing exposing a bare chest or midriff, camouflage attire, worn or tattered clothing, bandanas, excessive jewelry, flip flops, steel/composite-toed shoes, and shower shoes are prohibited. Wardens/Superintendents may further define these requirements at each facility.
Contraband is any item not permitted by law or expressly prohibited by TDOC policy. Contraband poses serious risk to the safety and security of our facilities and the staff, offenders, and visitors inside them.
Contraband is not just drugs – it is anything not distinctly allowed in our facilities. This includes tobacco, cell phones, weapons, and other electronics. Anyone attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility will be arrested and could face criminal prosecution. Additionally, this could result in permanent loss of visitation privileges.
It is important to remember visitation is a privilege – not a right. Visits may be denied, terminated, suspended, or revoked at any time. To ensure an uninterrupted visit, please review the TDOC visitation policy in its entirety for a complete list of rules and procedures. All questions must be directed to staff at the facility.
