How to Contact an Inmate at Debra Johnson Rehab Center
Staying in touch with someone at Debra Johnson Rehab Center is straightforward once you understand how the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) handles calls, mail, and visits. Here's the documented process for each, plus a few details worth verifying before you spend time or money.
You can't call the facility and get connected to someone inside. TDOC doesn't allow inbound calls to inmates. Instead, all phone contact happens through outgoing calls placed by the inmate on the facility's telephone system. TDOC's primary platform for that system is ConnectNetwork (powered by GTL). If you're budgeting for calls, TDOC reports the ConnectNetwork per-minute rate decreased to 7.5 cents effective July 1, 2024.
Family emergency: In a family emergency, you can contact the facility chaplain. The chaplain may be able to facilitate a phone call when the situation warrants it.
Mail is the other reliable way to stay in touch. Address the envelope with the inmate's committed name and TDOC identification number, and include your return name and address. Sending privileged mail? Under TDOC policy, staff open it only in the inmate's presence to check for contraband, then document it.
If you want to visit in person, you'll need to apply first. Submit a completed Visitation Application (CR-2152) along with a current photograph. TDOC requires this application to be updated every 24 months. Bringing a minor? The custodial parent or legal guardian must complete and notarize the Parental Consent/Release portion of CR-2152 to authorize the escort or guardian.
Steps-to-follow
- ✓ Plan for inmate-initiated calls only. TDOC does not permit inbound telephone calls to inmates.
- ✓ Use ConnectNetwork (powered by GTL) as the primary TDOC platform for the inmate telephone system.
- ✓ Keep the stated rate in mind when you fund or plan calls. TDOC lists the ConnectNetwork per-minute rate as 7.5 cents effective July 1, 2024.
- ✓ If there is a true family emergency, contact the facility chaplain. TDOC notes the chaplain may facilitate a phone call where necessary.
- ✓ Address outgoing mail with the inmate’s committed name and TDOC identification number.
- ✓ Put a return name and address on every envelope.
- ✓ If you send privileged mail, expect it to be opened by staff only in the inmate’s presence to check for contraband, then documented.
- ✓ Complete and submit the TDOC Visitation Application (CR-2152) and attach a current photograph.
- ✓ Update the application every 24 months.
- ✓ For a minor to visit, have the custodial parent or legal guardian complete and notarize the Parental Consent/Release section of CR-2152, authorizing the escort or guardian.
Before you put money on an account or plan around regular calls, verify the current phone platform and per-minute rate through official TDOC channels. Telecom arrangements and pricing can change. Confirm the ConnectNetwork setup and the stated 7.5-cent per-minute rate (effective July 1, 2024) so there are no surprises.
Emergency calls: If you need an emergency message passed, contact the facility chaplain and ask what documentation or details they need to consider facilitating a call.
Check the facility's current mail instructions before sending anything, especially if your loved one has had mail returned before. At a minimum, your envelope needs the inmate's committed name, TDOC identification number, and your return name and address. If you're sending privileged mail, confirm how it will be handled under TDOC policy: staff should open it only in the inmate's presence to inspect for contraband, then document it.
- Confirm the correct visitation application: Make sure you are using the TDOC Visitation Application (CR-2152) required for visitors.
- Confirm the photo requirement: Verify what qualifies as a “current photograph” to attach to CR-2152.
- Confirm the update schedule: TDOC requires the application to be updated every 24 months, so check when your last approval was processed.
- Confirm minor-visitor paperwork: For anyone under 18, verify that the Parental Consent/Release section of CR-2152 is completed by the custodial parent or legal guardian and notarized, authorizing the escort or guardian.
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