Shelby County Main Jail

To search for an inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 901-222-4700 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a Shelby County offender's Criminal Court Case online, or any offender that was arrested in the state of Tennessee.

Tennessee also keeps a public database of all their felony offenders.

Shelby County Main Jail Inmate Search

The Shelby County Main Jail maintains an average of 2813 offenders in custody on any given day. The Shelby County Main Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Shelby County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 68,480 offenders.

The following charts of Shelby County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Shelby County Corrections Department, the state of Tennessee Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Shelby County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Shelby County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

Bonding an Inmate

The 24-Hour Court Clerk’s office is also located in the Jail Annex visitation area.
You may post a cash bond or use the services of a licensed bonding company of your choice.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office does NOT make recommendations as to which bonding company you use.
You can call the Shelby County Sheriff at 901-222-4700 24 hours a day to find out the bond amount.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail? What is the Schedule?

Shelby County Main Jail at-the-jail Inmate Video Visitation Schedule, Registration & Guidelines

201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
For scheduling Issues call 901-222-4928
For technical support call 855-208-7349

• First you must register with GTL / ViaPath to visit an inmate. And you have to be approved by the Shelby County Sheriff's office.
  
• IOS users will need to ensure the default Apple device browser is set to Safari. 
• Android Users will need to update to the latest version of the applications GTL – Schedule Visits (1 of 2) and GTL – Internet Visits (2 of 2). Users will also need to change auto-update to enabled instead of disabled.
• For Technical Support : call GTL / ViaPath at 855-208-7349.
• All Visits must be scheduled at least one day in advance, although walk-ups are accepted if a slot is available.
• Visits are allowed between the hours of 8:00AM and 12:00noon, and between 3:00PM and 7:00PM.
• One visitor per inmate, although this may change soon.  Call 901-222-4928 to confirm.
• If you have any outstanding warrants, pending cases or have a 'no contact order' with your visitor, the visit is not happening.
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to check-in. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to your scheduled visit.

MAIN JAIL VISITING SCHEDULE

MAIN JAIL ANNEX VISITATION SCHEDULE

• Trustees that work in the morning, can get visits in the afternoon and evening.
• Trustees that work in the afternoon, can get visits in the morning.
• Trustees that have the day off, can get visits either morning or afterrnoon or evening.

MAIN JAIL TRUSTEES & ROCKMEN SCHEDULE

• Trustees that work in the morning, can get visits in the afternoon and evening.
• Trustees that work in the afternoon, can get visits in the morning.
• Trustees that have the day off, can get visits either morning or afterrnoon or evening.

MAIN JAIL LOWER LEVEL (after the first 3 days)

Shelby County Main Jail REMOTE (from your home) INMATE VISITATION SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & GUIDELINES

For scheduling Issues call 901-222-4928
For technical support call 855-208-7349

• First you must register with GTL / ViaPath to visit an inmate. And you have to be approved by the Shelby County Sheriff's office.
  
• IOS users will need to ensure the default Apple device browser is set to Safari. 
• Android Users will need to update to the latest version of the applications GTL – Schedule Visits (1 of 2) and GTL – Internet Visits (2 of 2). Users will also need to change auto-update to enabled instead of disabled.
• For Technical Support : call GTL / ViaPath at 855-208-7349.
• All Visits must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
• Visits are allowed between the hours of 8:00AM and 12:00noon, and between 3:00PM and 7:00PM.
• Three visitors per inmate.
• If you have any outstanding warrants, pending cases or have a 'no contact order' with your visitor, the visit is not happening.
• No remote visiting from your bedroom, bathroom or a bar.
• Arrive to your computer and sign in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit.
• COST: 10 Minute Internet Visit is $2.50... and a 25 Minute Internet Visit cost is $6.25.

MAIN JAIL REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE

Shelby County Main Jail uses GettingOut for their Remote Video Visitation and/or Visit Scheduling. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate:
1.  Using the GettingOut/GTL Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut or GTL apps.

How it Works with GettingOut
1.  Register an account.
2. Select Shelby County Main Jail
3. Choose either an INMATE ACCOUNT or FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT.   

• **NOTE** Friends and Family must have funds in their "Friends & Family Account" to respond to inmate messages. 
• If you deposit money online in the INMATE ACCOUNT, than they have the freedom to spend the money on visits or phone calls to anyone, or any other communications services available at Shelby County Main Jail.
• With the FRIENDS & FAMILY ACCOUNT, you control all communication services such as phone calls, video visits and messaging. Your inmate can only call the phone number you want.

4. You will then receive prompts to validate both your identity and phone number .
5. Again, choose your inmate's facility, then type their name and select your inmate.

GettingOut will then guide you through the steps needed to arrange your remote visit.

Customer Service for GettingOut
If you have any questions, you can call them at 866-516-0115.
GettingOut online contact form
Frequently Asked Questions
The GettingOut App is available on Google Play and Apple Store.

How Do You Visit an Inmate in Shelby County Main Jail?

To visit an inmate in Shelby County, whether by video or in person 'at the jail', follow these steps:

Other than 'at the jail' visits between you and your inmate, which is explained and outlined in detail on our Visit Inmate Page, Shelby County remote video inmate visitation can be done using the services of GettingOut. 

There are three ways to remotely visit your inmate in Shelby County Main Jail:
1.  Using the GettingOut Kiosk at the jail.
2. Using your computer from home.
3. Using your phone on the GettingOut apps.

To remotely visit an inmate in Shelby County follow these steps:
1.  Start by confirming that Shelby County Main Jail's Video Visitation is working correctly by looking up Shelby County here.
2.  The next step is to create an account here for GettingOut.
3. Then add funds to your account.
4. Last, select Shelby County Main Jail, and then the inmate you wish to communicate with.

Other Shelby County Services provided by GettingOut:
 - Phone Calls & Voicemail 
 - Email, Photo & Video Sharing
-  Inmate Tablet Rental
-  Deposits

Customer Service
If you have any questions about the Shelby County Main Jail Visitation Services you can call them at 866-516-0115.
Frequently Asked Questions

* All the information you need to have complete knowledge about inmate visitation; policies, rules, fees, schedules, tips, dress codes, and children, lawyers and clergy visitation in Shelby County, can be found on our Visit Inmate Page.

Shelby County Main Jail Phone: 901-222-4700

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail?

Shelby County Main Jail REMOTE (from your home) INMATE VISITATION SCHEDULE, REGISTRATION & GUIDELINES

For scheduling Issues call 901-222-4928
For technical support call 855-208-7349

• First you must register with GTL / ViaPath to visit an inmate. And you have to be approved by the Shelby County Sheriff's office.
  
• IOS users will need to ensure the default Apple device browser is set to Safari. 
• Android Users will need to update to the latest version of the applications GTL – Schedule Visits (1 of 2) and GTL – Internet Visits (2 of 2). Users will also need to change auto-update to enabled instead of disabled.
• For Technical Support : call GTL / ViaPath at 855-208-7349.
• All Visits must be scheduled at least one day in advance.
• Visits are allowed between the hours of 8:00AM and 12:00noon, and between 3:00PM and 7:00PM.
• Three visitors per inmate.
• If you have any outstanding warrants, pending cases or have a 'no contact order' with your visitor, the visit is not happening.
• No remote visiting from your bedroom, bathroom or a bar.
• Arrive to your computer and sign in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit.
• COST: 10 Minute Internet Visit is $2.50... and a 25 Minute Internet Visit cost is $6.25.

MAIN JAIL REMOTE VISITATION SCHEDULE

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail?

You can deposit money four different ways:

• Deposit at correctpay.com.
• Deposit at the jail's VendEngine kiosk.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
• Deposit using the iOS or Android app.

correctpay.com Assistance:

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Shelby County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Shelby County Main Jail follow these steps:

• Register with correctpay by creating an account.
• 
• Select Tennessee, then select Shelby County Main Jail, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
• Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.
• You can deposit money four ways:
• Deposit online at correctpay.com.
• Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the Shelby County Main Jail lobby.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
• Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account, what the fees are, how long it takes to hit their account and more, check out our full money and commissary guide for Shelby County Main Jail.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail?

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

• Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
• Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
• Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Shelby County Main Jail, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Shelby County Main Jail Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail, and what can I send them?

Shelby County Main Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Shelby County Main Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Shelby County Main Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking number & Location where housed (if known)
Shelby County Main Jail
201 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking number & Location where housed (if known)
Shelby County Main Jail
201 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103

Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Shelby County Main Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Shelby County Main Jail standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking number & Location where housed (if known)
Shelby County Main Jail
201 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103

Shelby County Main Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Shelby County Main Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the Shelby County Main Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Booking number & Location where housed (if known)
Shelby County Main Jail
201 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103

For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail, and what can I purchase?

Shelby County Main Jail uses the services of correctpay.com (aka JailFunds) for you to deposit funds into your inmate’s account so that they can purchase Commissary and/or Gift Packs from this jail’s commissary service.

You can deposit money four different ways:

• Deposit online at correctpay.com.
• Deposit at the VendEngine kiosk in the jail lobby.
• Deposit over the phone 24/7 at 855-836-3364
• Deposit through their iOS or Android app.

correctpay Contact, Help and FAQ

24/7 Customer Service - 855-836-3364
Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Shelby County Main Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

Emailing and Texting Messages, Photos & Videograms

Shelby County Main Jail contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles Inmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.


If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Shelby County Main Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

How Messaging Works
Watch this video on how to send a message.
1.  Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
2. After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.

How Uploading Photos Works
Watch this video on how to upload a photo.
1.  Select the Photos Tab.
2. Select “Take New Photo” or “Upload New Photo”.
3. Take a new photo with your webcam, or select "Choose File" to upload a photo from your computer.
4. Give your photo a Title or add it to the "Gallery" of your choice.
5. Select the "Share" button.
6. Select your inmate(s) and then select "Share".
7. Once the photo is approved, it will be shared with your inmate(s).

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

How to Communicate with an Shelby County Main Jail Inmate by Mail and by Email

To mail or email an inmate in Shelby County follow these steps:

When mailing a letter or postcard to an inmate, please follow these instructions:

• All mail sent to an inmate at the Shelby County Main Jail must include the sender's name and mailing address in the top left corner of the envelope or postcard.
• All mail must include the facility's address, as well as the inmate's name and assigned number.
• Failure to include your return address will most likely result in your mail NOT being delivered and your letter destroyed.
• The Shelby County Main Jail has a zero-tolerance policy regarding mail violations. 
• All the information you need to understand mail and email policies can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

Emailing Messages & Photos

Facility_name_1} contracts with GTL GettingOut, the same service that handles iInmate Phone Systems and Video Visitation, for sending secure messages and photos between you and your inmate.
 
If you are not already registered, do so here, or Log in.

Then use the Facility Finder to:
1.  Select Shelby County Main Jail,
2. Add your inmate to your list of contacts,
3. Add a credit or debit card to cover your costs.

• Messages can be up to 500 characters long, including punctuation. At the bottom of your message there is a 'character countdown' feature.  
• After you click the “CONTINUE” button, you can review the cost to send your message to your inmate. You can also attach credits for your inmate to reply to your message.  Be sure to accept the Terms and Conditions and click the “SEND” button for your message to be successfully delivered to your inmate.
• You can also send your Shelby County inmate photos and videos.

Customer Service Questions
'Online' Contact Form, or
Call   866-516-0115

Go here to this FAQ to get answers to how the transition to ViaPath from GTL and gettingout will affect your account.

All the information you need to understand mail and email policies for Shelby County can be found on our Inmate Mail Page and our Text/Email an Inmate Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

Do Inmates in the Shelby County Main Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

Shelby County Main Jail allows inmates access to tablets to use for the services provided by 'gettingout'.

The devices are similar to common handheld tablets, but are made exclusively by GettingOut, a GTL / Viapath company.
Tablets offer specialized content and services for inmates to use during their stay at Shelby County Main Jail, such as:

• Music
• Books
• Games
• Education
• News
• Radio
• Television
• Read mail and messages
• Video visits

-  Free services are already available for use on the device at Shelby County Main Jail.
-  Subscription services are funded separately by family and friends with deposits made into an inmate’s Debit Link account.
-  Shelby County Main Jail Inmates will then be able to purchase subscription services and premium content to enjoy.

What Does a Tablet Cost?

• Tablet devices include some services and the content is free.
• The subscription services require additional funding.
• There may be multiple options such as 7-day or 30-day subscriptions.
• Costs are dependent upon the available services and what the Shelby County Main Jail charges.

To estimate costs for phone calls, sign in to your account and click “Rate & Fees Calculator” in the footer (bottom of the page) or call 866-516-0115 for assistance.

How Inmates Can Use a Tablet to Access Services at Shelby County Main Jail

To find out how to get access to a tablet for inmate read the following:

1.  First, Register or Sign In to GettingOut/GTL

2.  Purchase the services you want for your Shelby County Main Jail inmate.
3. All inmates have free access to the tablets to read their letters from family & friends, but there are many other services available to keep your inmate busy while incarcerated... such as Games, Books, Music and Movies. These other services come with fees that you can pay for when you pay for phone service.

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our Tablet Rental Page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Main Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-4700 for further assistance.

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Shelby County?