Sullivan County, Tennessee Inmate Search
A Sullivan County inmate search allows individuals to locate people currently incarcerated in the local detention facility. This search confirms if a person is in custody and details the nature of their detention. The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office manages the county jail and its population. State prisons fall under the Tennessee Department of Corrections’ control, while federal prisons are under the Bureau of Prisons.
Cities in Sullivan County, such as Kingsport and Bristol, also have their own local detention operation. Kingsport City operates as a state-certified holding facility under the rules of the Tennessee Corrections Institute. Corrections officers at this location book and process individuals arrested by the local police until their release or transfer to another facility (e.g., the main county jail). Bristol, on the other hand, has a police department that focuses on community involvement and public safety. Both cities maintain records divisions responsible for managing and releasing information in accordance with the Tennessee Code Annotated.
Inmate records allow the public to see why an individual was arrested and where they are being held.
How to Find an Inmate in Sullivan County Jail
To find an inmate housed at the Sullivan County Jail, users must access the resources provided by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. Users can check the current population through the Inmate/Jail Roster available on the sheriff’s official website or visit the sheriff’s office in person.
140 Blountville Bypass
Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: (423)279-7500
How to Use the Sullivan County Jail Roster
Using the Sullivan County jail roster requires following a few simple steps to access inmate records, as highlighted below:
- Visit the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office website.
- Once on the site, look for the "Jail Info" dropdown menu.
- Under the "Jail Info" dropdown menu, click the "Inmate Roster" link. The link leads to a page with a search column and recent inmate records. A search can be executed by name or arrest date.
- Scroll through the page to view the records.
Note: Contact the Sheriff’s Office by phone if the local roster is down or a newly arrested person cannot be located.
What Information is Included in the Sullivan County Inmate Roster
The Sullivan County inmate roster provides important information about an individual’s incarceration. Users can find the inmate’s complete name, residence, weight, gender, ethnicity, age, eye color, and hair color. Also, the roster provides information regarding custody status, booking date, and reporting agency.
Access to inmate records is regulated by the Tennessee Open Records Act. This Act holds that all municipal, county, and state records, including those of law enforcement agencies, are available for individual inspection by any citizen. However, the act includes various exceptions to safeguard confidential information. For instance, security details about jails, personal information of protected victims, or sealed records are confidential.
Contact Details for Sullivan County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
For official records or assistance with inmate services, citizens can contact the Sullivan County Jail or Sheriff’s Office at 140 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN 37617, or the Kingsport City Jail at 200 Shelby Street, Kingsport, TN 37660. These departments handle inquiries related to the jail, civil process, and general law enforcement.
Entity | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
Sullivan County Sheriff/Jail | 140 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN 37617 | (423) 279-7500 |
Kingsport City Jail | 200 Shelby Street, Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423) 229-9433 |
Jail Facility Overview in Sullivan County
Sullivan County has two detention facilities: the Sullivan County Jail and the Kingsport City Jail. The Sullivan County Sheriff oversees the Sullivan County Jail, the largest of its kind within the county. The facility provides essential services, including medical care, a commissary, and video visitation for those incarcerated (primarily adults).
The Kingsport City Jail operates as a separate, state-certified holding facility under the Administrative Bureau of the Kingsport Police Department. This facility follows the strict rules and regulations established by the Tennessee Corrections Institute. A State of Tennessee Detention Facilities Specialist inspects the jail annually to ensure staff and the facility meet all required criteria. Corrections officers at this location manage the booking, processing, and securing of individuals arrested by city police. These individuals remain at the city jail until their release or transfer to another facility, such as the county correctional center.
The following table breaks down the contact information for these facilities:
Agency | Office and Mail Address | Phone Number | Office Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sullivan County Jail | 140 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN 37617 | (423) 279-7500 | Admin: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. EST, Mondays through Fridays Facility: 24/7 | N/A |
Kingsport City Jail | 201 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660 | (423)-229-9435 | 24 hours a day, full week | N/A |
How to Send Money to an Inmate in Sullivan County Jail
Friends and family members can provide financial support to offenders housed at the Sullivan County Jail through specific approved channels. The facility utilizes Tennessee Business Enterprises to manage inmate commissary accounts. This service allows incarcerated individuals to purchase various authorized items, including snacks, candy, clothing, and hygiene products. Users must deposit funds into these accounts through the designated online portal.
Strict jail restrictions preclude sending money orders by mail to ensure the facility’s security. Families should only use the official online portal so that funds are credited correctly to an inmate’s account.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
Individual law enforcement agencies in Sullivan County manage their own records divisions to handle inmate search requests. If a citizen needs to find information regarding an inmate, they may contact the specific records division of the facility where the individual is believed to be held.
Nonetheless, the Sullivan County Inmate Roster provides a remote means for accessing records from the Sullivan County Jail.
Facility Name | Public Search? | Where to Request Information |
|---|---|---|
Sullivan County Jail | Yes | Access the online Inmate Roster or call the County Sheriff’s Office |
Kingsport City Jail | Yes | Contact the Kingsport Police Records Division |
Sullivan County Visitation Rules and Schedules
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility conducts all inmate visits through a video visitation system. This procedure allows for secure communication between inmates and their loved ones. Inmates may receive two video visits per week, and each session is limited to 30 minutes. Visitors must schedule their own visit times online using the approved portal.
Visitation adheres to a specific daily schedule. General video visitation occurs on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The hours for these visits are 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
All visitors should be aware that there is a fee of $5 to $15 per video visitation session.
Mailing and Commissary Information
Inmates at the Sullivan County Jail may receive mail at any time. The facility staff opens and inspects all incoming and outgoing mail before delivery. This inspection ensures that the correspondence does not break jail rules or contain information about criminal activity. Any mail that violates the law is turned over to investigators.
To ensure a safe environment, the jail enforces strict rules on inmate correspondence. To correspond with an incarcerated family member, an individual must provide proper documentation to the facility. The jail staff must identify and verify that the parties are immediate family or associated by marriage before approving the request.
When mailing correspondence, the sender must use a plain envelope with the inmate’s full name and the correct facility address. The sender’s full name and return address must also appear clearly on the outside of the envelope. The proper mailing address format is as follows:
[Inmate Name]
P.O. Box 610
Blountville, TN 37617
Under specific conditions, the jail permits the receipt of certain items through the mail. Legal mail from lawyers or the courts is opened in the presence of the inmate. Other approved items include
- Magazines sent directly from the publisher, with a limit of three per month.
- Paperback books sent directly from the publisher, limited to two per month.
- Up to five pictures, no larger than 4x6, during the third full week of January, April, July, and October.
Several items are strictly prohibited and will result in the mail being rejected or placed in property. Prohibited items include cash, money orders, personal checks, stamps, and stationery items like envelopes, paper, or pens. The jail also forbids food, clothing, gang-related material, and any obscene or sexually explicit content. Additionally, no cards, cardstock, or blank printer paper of any kind may be sent to the facility.
Note: The commissary system allows inmates to obtain supplemental items not provided by the jail. Inmates use the funds deposited by their families into their accounts to buy hygiene products and snacks. Depositors will need to use the online service provided by the Tennessee Business Enterprises, as previously explained