Shelby County Jail, TN

Shelby County Jail uses video visitation only — free visits are available from the Sheriff's Office lobby, or you can connect from home. Schedule online at ncic.com, call 1-800-943-2189, or use the jail's lobby kiosk. You can book up to two weeks in advance, though kiosk-booked visits won't start until at least 15 minutes after you finish scheduling. You'll need facility approval and a valid photo ID (passport or state ID) when registering and checking in. If you're subject to a Protection From Abuse order, you won't be allowed to visit. The jail allows one scheduled visit per inmate per week, and you can visit up to two different inmates weekly. All visits are monitored and recorded (except privileged attorney visits), and staff can end visits for inappropriate behavior. Tennessee facilities often require a Visitor Application (CR‑2152) and background check — confirm any application steps with the jail before scheduling.

Shelby County Jail offers two main ways to stay connected: scheduled internet video visits through GTL, and incoming video calls through GettingOut. For GTL visits, schedule online through the facility's GTL portal or use the GTL VisMobile Android app. GettingOut calls work differently — your phone number must be approved on the inmate's PAN list, and that number must match your gettingout.com account. When the inmate calls, you need to be logged into the GettingOut Visits app with it open. Pricing runs $2.50 for 10 minutes and $6.25 for 25 minutes for internet visits, plus $1.50 for a three-minute voicemail. Phone service is outbound-only for inmates, and all calls are recorded except attorney calls. Prepaid accounts run through NCIC Inmate Communications.

The simplest way to add money at Shelby County Jail is the lobby kiosk in the video visitation area. It accepts $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills with a $3 fee per transaction — straightforward if you'd rather not deal with online portals or phone systems. Money on the inmate's account covers commissary purchases and can also buy prepaid phone time through the jail commissary. Other deposit options often include online portals, mobile apps, automated phone systems, or approved trustee/tax-office channels, depending on what the facility and vendor offer. If you go electronic, check the processing fees before confirming.

The facility mailing page lists a mailing address of P.O. Box 1095, Columbiana, AL, plus a main phone number (205-670-6000) and fax (205-669-3865). Questions about phone service, prepaid accounts, or the call/visit system? Contact NCIC customer service at 800-943-2189 or info@ncic.com. County and sheriff's office sites often separate contacts for general questions, records, and inmate services — call the non-emergency line for routine issues and have the inmate's full name and date of birth ready. For emergencies, skip online forms and call 911 or the facility's emergency/dispatch number.