How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Before anything else, confirm where the person is currently housed. Call the Rhea County Sheriff's Department at 423-775-7837 and ask which facility the inmate is in.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Call the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department at 423-775-7837 to find out which facility the inmate is housed in
• ✓ Have the inmate’s full name ready, and be prepared to confirm spelling
• ✓ If you know it, have the inmate’s date of birth and any inmate ID or booking number available
• ✓ Ask the staff member to repeat the facility name so you write it down correctly

• ✓ Ask which phone system or provider is used for inmate calls and whether you need to set up an account first
• ✓ Ask what payment methods are accepted for phone-related accounts and whether any third-party fees apply
• ✓ Ask how commissary ordering works for this jail, including whether family members can fund an account from the outside
• ✓ Before sending any money, confirm you are using the approved process for this facility (commissary and phone services are commonly tied to specific companies)

1. Call 423-775-7837 , ask which facility the inmate is currently housed in.
2. Confirm what details they need , ask whether they require a full legal name, date of birth, or an inmate ID to locate the right person.
3. Write down what they tell you , get the facility name exactly as stated so you can follow that facility’s rules for contact.

1. Ask who handles phone calls , confirm whether calls are set up through an inmate telephone company account and what you need to do to get started.
2. Ask how commissary is funded , confirm the approved way for friends and family to add funds (if allowed) and what payment options are accepted.
3. Ask about costs before you pay , since the jail receives revenue through commissary orders and the inmate telephone company, clarify any fees that could come with deposits or call services.