Search Knox County, TN Jail & Inmate Records
Table of Contents
- Knox County Inmate Search and Records
- How to Find an Inmate in Knox County, TN
- Booking Process & Common Charges in Knox County
- Visitation Rules at Knox County Jail
- How to Contact an Inmate at Knox County Jail
- Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Knox County
- Knox Incarceration Statistics
- How Many Inmates Are Currently in Knox County?
- Knox County Facility Directory
- Knox Prisons and Jails
- Useful Links
To find inmate records in Knox County, Tennessee, you have several options. For online searches, visit the Knox County Sheriff’s Office website, which offers an online inmate population search tool to look up current inmates by name or booking date (https://www.knoxsheriff.org/inmate_population.php). If you need additional information or records not available online, you can contact the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Records Division in person at 400 Main Street, Suite L-149, Knoxville, TN 37902, or call (865) 281-6700. Alternatively, you can reach out to the jail directly at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility located at 5001 Maloneyville Road. For official or certified copies, inquiries about historical records, or further assistance, you may also visit the Knox County Clerk’s Office. It is recommended to contact the relevant office in advance to confirm office hours, record availability, and any fees associated with your request.
How to Find an Inmate in Knox County, TN
Inmate records for Knox County, TN are accessible online, but the appropriate search tool depends on whether the individual is held locally in Knox County, by the state of Tennessee, or in federal custody. Use the following resources to find the right information for your search:
| Search Tool | Records Available | Access Method | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County Sheriff's Office | Local jail inmates | Online inmate search or call (865) 281-6700 | Current and recent inmates in Knox County Jail; operated by Knox County Sheriff's Office. |
| Tennessee DOC Inmate Locator | State prison inmates | Online search | Offenders sentenced to TN state prisons; search by name, ID, or other criteria. |
| VINE Inmate Search | Local & state custody status | VINElink search | Victim notification system; provides custody status and updates for offenders in Knox County and statewide. |
| Federal BOP Locator | Federal prison inmates | BOP Inmate Locator | No federal prisons in Knox County; most TN federal offenders held at FCI Memphis or FCI Manchester, KY. |
| In-Person Records Request | Jail, arrest, and court records | Visit Knox County Sheriff's Office, 400 Main St, Knoxville, TN 37902; (865) 215-2243 | Identification required; may involve waiting period or fees for records copies. |
Booking Process & Common Charges in Knox County
When an individual is arrested in Knox County, they typically undergo a booking process that includes arrest, transport to the jail, fingerprinting, photographing, a medical screening, and assignment to a housing unit. The entire process generally takes between 4 to 8 hours to complete.
| Charge Category | Common Examples | Frequency | Typical Hold Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUI / Traffic | Driving Under Influence, Reckless Driving | High | 12–24 hours or until bail is posted |
| Drug Offenses | Possession, Distribution, Paraphernalia | High | 24 hours to several days, varies by charge and bond |
| Assault / Domestic Violence | Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault | High | 12–72 hours, may require court appearance before release |
| Property Crimes | Burglary, Theft, Vandalism | Moderate | 24 hours to several days, varies by bond and offense severity |
| Failure to Appear | Missed Court Dates | High | Until court hearing or bail is satisfied |
| Outstanding Warrants | Prior Charges, Probation Violation | Very High | Until resolution of warrant and court action |
| Felony (Pre-Trial) | Robbery, Serious Assault, Drug Trafficking | Moderate | Until trial or bail; sentenced offenders transferred to state facility |
Visitation Rules at Knox County Jail
Before planning a visit, please verify the most current visitation rules with the Knox County Jail and ensure you are listed on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
Visitation Schedule
| Day | Visiting Hours | Visit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
| Sunday | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | In-person/Video | Confirm with facility |
Visitation Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| ID | Valid government-issued photo ID required for all visitors. |
| Dress Code | Modest clothing; no revealing or offensive attire permitted. |
| Prohibited Items | No cell phones, weapons, bags, or contraband. |
| Visitor Approval Process | All visitors must be pre-approved and listed on the inmate’s visitor list. |
| Children Policy | Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian and supervised at all times. |
| Attorney / Clergy Visits | Permitted outside of regular hours; must be scheduled and verified in advance. |
How to Contact an Inmate at Knox County Jail
Inmates at Knox County Jail can be reached by phone, physical mail, and digital messaging, with all communications monitored and subject to facility rules. Below are details on each contact method.
Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
Knox County Jail
400 Main St, Knoxville, TN 37902
| Method | How It Works | Setup | Rules / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone Calls | Inmates can make outgoing collect or prepaid calls via [Provider]. | Set up an account with [Provider]. | Calls are monitored, time-limited, and may be recorded; no incoming calls allowed. |
| Physical Mail | Letters are delivered to inmates after inspection by jail staff. | Address mail using the format above. | No contraband or prohibited items; all mail is screened; limits on envelope contents. |
| Digital Messaging | Send and receive messages electronically through [Provider]. | Register an account with [Provider] online. | Messages monitored; fees may apply; some attachments prohibited. |
| Video Calls | Remote video visits scheduled through [Provider]'s platform. | Create an account and schedule online. | Calls are monitored and recorded; schedule limits; must follow dress/code of conduct. |
Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Knox County
The Tennessee Board of Parole oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, determining eligibility and release conditions. Knox County residents returning from incarceration can access a variety of state and community-based resources for reentry support, including housing, employment, and benefits restoration programs.
| Program / Resource | Description | Who It Serves | Contact / Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Board of Parole | Reviews and decides parole eligibility for state-sentenced inmates. | Eligible incarcerated individuals in Tennessee | https://www.tn.gov/bop | (615) 741-1150 |
| Good Time / Sentence Reduction | Provides sentence credits for good behavior and program participation per TDOC policy. | Eligible sentenced offenders | TDOC Sentence Credits Unit: (615) 253-8207 |
| Parole Supervision (Knox Office) | Supervision and support for parolees, including reporting and compliance monitoring. | Paroled offenders in Knox County | 900 E. Hill Avenue, Suite 335, Knoxville, TN 37915 | (865) 594-5551 |
| Reentry Housing | Transitional housing resources for individuals reentering the community post-release. | Returning citizens in Knox County | Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM): (865) 673-6540 | www.karm.org |
| Employment Assistance | Job readiness, application support, and job placement for people with criminal records. | Formerly incarcerated individuals | American Job Center – Knoxville: (865) 594-0139 | www.tn.gov/workforce |
| Benefits Restoration | Help with reinstating SNAP, TennCare, and other benefits after incarceration. | Justice-involved individuals and families | Legal Aid of East TN: (865) 637-0484 | www.laet.org |
| VINE Victim Notification | Automated service to notify victims of offender custody status changes. | Crime victims and concerned community members | www.vinelink.com | (888) 868-4631 |
Knox Incarceration Statistics
Knox County, a major urban center in eastern Tennessee, has crime and incarceration rates closely mirroring statewide averages, with notable challenges in property crime and drug-related offenses. Knox County inmates are housed at the Knox County Detention Facility.
Crime Statistics
| Crime Category | Reported Incidents | Rate per 100,000 | % of Total | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime (total) | 2,255 | 470.8 | 16% | → Stable |
| — Assault | 1,735 | 362.4 | 12.3% | → Stable |
| — Robbery | 410 | 85.6 | 2.9% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Homicide | 32 | 6.7 | 0.2% | → Stable |
| Property Crime (total) | 9,759 | 2,040.2 | 68% | ↑ Increasing |
| — Theft / Larceny | 7,020 | 1,468.4 | 48.9% | ↑ Increasing |
| — Burglary | 1,945 | 407.4 | 13.6% | ↓ Decreasing |
| — Vehicle Theft | 794 | 164.4 | 5.5% | ↑ Increasing |
| Drug Offenses | 1,010 | 211.0 | 7% | → Stable |
| DUI / Traffic | 735 | 153.6 | 5.1% | → Stable |
| Domestic Violence | 668 | 139.7 | 4.7% | ↑ Increasing |
Inmate Demographics
| Demographic Category | Breakdown | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | 78% Male, 22% Female | Statewide average used |
| Age Groups | 18-24: 14%, 25-34: 38%, 35-44: 27%, 45+: 21% | Statewide average used |
| Race / Ethnicity | White: 65%, Black: 29%, Hispanic: 4%, Other: 2% | Statewide average used |
| Top Offense Types | Drug, Property, Assault (in descending order) | Statewide average used |
| Avg. Sentence Length | 3.5 years | Statewide average used |
| Recidivism Rate | 46% | Statewide average used |
How Many Inmates Are Currently in Knox County?
Knox County currently holds an estimated 1,040 inmates in local custody, a number that fluctuates daily as individuals are booked, released, or transferred. Sentenced offenders with longer terms may be relocated to a state facility to serve out the remainder of their sentences.
| Facility Type | Population | % of Total | Avg. Daily Cost | Capacity Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Jail (Pre-Trial) | 660 | 63.5% | $88 | 98% |
| Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term) | 210 | 20.2% | $75 | 92% |
| Transferred to State Facility | 90 | 8.7% | N/A | N/A |
| Federal Holds | 30 | 2.9% | $90 | 77% |
| Juvenile / Youth | 50 | 4.8% | $160 | 60% |
| Total | 1,040 | 100% | — | — |
Knox County Facility Directory
Knox County operates three correctional facilities: a county jail, a work release center, and a youth facility. These facilities provide detention, rehabilitation, and transitional services for adults and juveniles.
| Facility Name | Type | Location | Capacity | Population | Security Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox County Jail | County Jail | 400 Main St, Knoxville | 1,036 | 900 | Medium |
| Knox County Work Release Center | Work Release | 4918 N Broadway, Knoxville | 112 | 85 | Minimum |
| Richard L. Bean Juvenile Service Center | Youth Facility | 3323 Division St, Knoxville | 120 | 60 | Juvenile/Medium |
Knox County Prisons and Jails
Useful Links
- Inmate Search
- Visitation Guidelines
- Bail Information
- Prison Policies
- Re-entry Programs
- Legal Rights & Legal Aid
- Community & Family Support