The Polk County Detention Center is a 174 bed jail in the city of Benton, Polk County, Tennessee. You can call them 24 hours a day for inmate information at 423-338-8215.
Offenders arrested for misdemeanors and felonies in this county are brought here for booking and processing, and if their crime requires it, are incarcerated until they are either bonded out, are released from custody on their own recognizance, or are ordered to remain in custody until the disposition of their trial.
You can also use the inmate search tool to see this facility's roster of those who have been arrested and are still in custody.
Those who are found guilty and sentenced to a term of less than one year, will do their time in this county. Those sentenced to longer terms will be sent to either the Tennessee State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This page provides information on how to search for an inmate in the official jail roster, or by calling the facility at 423-338-8215, directions to the facility, and inmate services such as the visitation schedule and policies, funding an inmate's account, mailing them a letter, receiving phone calls from an inmate, voicemail, emailing and texting, tablet rentals, bail bond instructions, and commissary purchases.
It's always a good idea to find out and save the inmate's jail ID number or booking number as you may need this for sending mail or other communication needs. If you can't locate it online, you can call the Polk County Detention Center at 423-338-8215 to get it.
Phone: 423-338-8215
Physical Address:
164 Industrial Access Circle
Benton, TN 37307
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Mailing Address (legal mail or subscriptions):
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Polk County Detention Center, 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 423-338-8215 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a Polk 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.
Polk County Detention Center Inmate Search
The Polk County Detention Center maintains an average of 174 offenders in custody on any given day. The Polk County Detention Center 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 Polk County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 3,480 offenders.
The following charts of Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk 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.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
INTERESTING FACTS about the Polk County Detention Center: The facility can hold a total population of 174 inmates, including 137 males and 47 females. There are five male housing units and four female housing units plus temporary holding cells. The total number of beds includes the holding cells. The lobby of the Polk County Justice Center is open 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. The county is in the southeastern corner of the state of Tennessee and shares a border with both North Carolina and Georgia.
Located in the brick Polk County Justice Center on Industrial Access Circle in Benton, the 174-bed Polk County Detention Center is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Polk County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, Benton Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Area Park Authorities, as well as other counties on an as needed basis.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 423-338-8215, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Polk County Detention Center also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Polk County Detention Center, call the jail’s booking line at 423-338-8215.
There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.
Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.
If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.
Polk County Detention Center Booking Roster
After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Polk County for booking.
Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.
Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Polk County and other Tennessee and USA jurisdictions.
If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.
It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.
The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.
During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.
Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.
At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.
If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Polk County Detention Center will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.
Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.
Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.
If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.
Yes, Polk County recognizes most types of bonds.
Polk County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.
Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center? What is the Schedule?
164 Industrial Access Circle
Benton, TN 37307
423-338-8215
INMATES ARE ASSIGNED A TIME BASED ON THEIR CELL ASSIGNMENT - Check with them.
ON SITE PERSONAL VISITS
| DAY | TIME |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 8:00PM |
REMOTE INMATE VIDEO CALLS
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| MONDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 8:00AM - 9:00PM |
Inmate Visitation
IMPORTANT - All remote visitation at the Polk County Detention Center is conducted by City Tele Coin video.
You can visit your inmate at the jail, or from your own device or computer at home.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office provides a video kiosk in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office free of charge.
Visitation is limited to 10 minutes per visitor per day. Visitors must call ahead and follow ALL visitation guidelines.
If not coming to the Sheriff's Office, you may visit with an inmate using City Tele Coin fom home.
Video visitations are monitored and visitors MUST follow visitor guidelines. Visitors that are found to violate these guidelines, will have their visitation privileges suspended.
All Video Visitation services are provided by City Tele Coin.
To register for a direct pay account visit www.CityTeleCoin.com.
After your account has been created you can download the City Tele Coin app from iTunes or Google Play.
To video chat and send emails using the app or the City Tele Coin website, select Polk County Jail to set up a remote account for the inmate.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center?
IMPORTANT - All remote visitation at the Polk County Detention Center is conducted by City Tele Coin video.
You can visit your inmate at the jail, or from your own device or computer at home.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office provides a video kiosk in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office free of charge.
Visitation is limited to 10 minutes per visitor per day. Visitors must call ahead and follow ALL visitation guidelines.
If not coming to the Sheriff's Office, you may visit with an inmate using City Tele Coin fom home.
Video visitations are monitored and visitors MUST follow visitor guidelines. Visitors that are found to violate these guidelines, will have their visitation privileges suspended.
All Video Visitation services are provided by City Tele Coin.
To register for a direct pay account visit www.CityTeleCoin.com.
After your account has been created you can download the City Tele Coin app from iTunes or Google Play.
To video chat and send emails using the app or the City Tele Coin website, select Polk County Jail to set up a remote account for the inmate.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center?
1. Online - Making a deposit using a verified Visa or Mastercard online, or using their Apple or Android App.
2. By phone - Dial 866.345.1884 to reach their 24/7 Access Corrections domestic call centers.
3. Jail Lobby Kiosk - Kiosks accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
4. Mail-in Lockbox - Friends or Family who do not have a credit or debit card can mail money orders to their secure lockbox to make deposits to an inmate’s account. Depositors use a customized form that captures all needed information. Upon receipt, they process and post the deposits to the inmate's trust fund in approximately 48 hours.
Money orders may be mailed to inmates at:
Access Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
Money orders must be made out to "Access Secure Deposits".
Include the state, city, inmate name and ID number on all money orders.
5. Walk-in Cash Deposits - Go to any Cash Pay Today location to deposit cash to your inmate's account.
Secure Deposits - Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Deposits - Video Tutorial on How it Works
Secure Deposits - Help Pages
Customer Service Contacts:
Phone: 866-345-1884
Email: [email protected]
Online Chat - Look for 'bubble' on bottom right of the page linked here.
To send commissary money to an inmate in Polk County Detention Center follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Polk County Detention Center.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center?
To register and sign up for a phone account with City Tele Coin to communicate with your Polk County Detention Center inmate, follow the instructions below:
For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding making phone calls with an inmate in Polk County, visit our full page guide.
NOTE: All phone conversations and messages are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some phone providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How do I Mail an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center, and what can I send them?
Postcards
The Polk County Detention Center 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 Polk County Detention Center 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 & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper 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 Polk County Detention Center 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 below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Polk County Detention Center standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
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 & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Postcards
The Polk County Detention Center 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.
Envelopes
The Polk County Detention Center also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.
Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Legal Mail
Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper 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 Polk County Detention Center 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 below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Polk County Detention Center standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
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 & Inmate ID#
Polk County Detention Center
PO Box 1189
Benton, TN 37307
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center, and what can I purchase?
To send commissary money to an inmate in Polk County Detention Center follow these steps:
For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Polk County Detention Center.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Polk County Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?
The Polk County Detention Center contracts with City Tele Coin, the same company that offers Phone and Video Calling, to allow inmates to send and receive digital text messages from friends and loved ones.
You may have to provide them the funds to rent a tablet for a small monthly fee to do this, and of course there is a fee to send and receive messages.
To register for text and email digital message with your inmate go to City Tele Coin and sign up.
Customer Service Contact information:
[email protected]
318-746-1114
The Polk County Detention Center contracts with City Tele Coin, the same company that offers Phone and Video Calling, to allow inmates to send and receive digital text messages from friends and loved ones.
You may have to provide them the funds to rent a tablet for a small monthly fee to do this, and of course there is a fee to send and receive messages.
To register for text and email digital message with your inmate go to City Tele Coin and sign up.
Customer Service Contact information:
[email protected]
318-746-1114
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
Do Inmates in the Polk County Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?
City Tele Coin is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.
The tablets can be rented or used on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
Questions:
City Tele Coin is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.
The tablets can be rented or used on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
Questions:
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Polk County Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-338-8215 for further assistance.
Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less
What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Polk County?
This facility, known as "Polk County Detention Center" is also known as Polk County Jail & Sheriff, Polk County Jail & Sheriff , Polk County Jail & Sheriff , Tennessee, Polk.
