Knox County TN Detention Facility

Knox County TN Detention Facility basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 865-281-6700

This facility is for adult inmates.

The Knox County TN Detention Facility is a medium-security detention center located at 5001 Maloneyville Rd in Knoxville, TN. This county jail is operated locally by the Knox County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Knox County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, municipalities, the US Marshal's Service and the Knoxville Police Department who do not have their own long-term lock-up.

There are new detainees delivered to the jail daily, you can see arrest records here. Some are released after putting up bail, are released to a pretrial services caseload, are placed under supervision by a probation agency, or are released on their own recognizance with an agreement to appear in court. If there is no release, the inmate must wait here at the jail for their court appearance as a guest of the County, getting a bed and three square meals.

Trustees are inmates who work in the jail as cooks, as orderlies for the staff, in the laundry or in the commissary. The trustees are paid a very small amount for their time and some jail gives the trustees a few days off their sentence in exchange for their work.

When an inmate arrives in jail they are put together in a large holding cell with other inmates in the intake. While in intake they are under heightened observation. Violent and out of control inmates are segregated.

Can I Get Work Release?

Work release is when you are released from jail during the day so that you can go to work. At the end of the day, you return to jail for the night. There are a number of requirements to be able to get into the work-release program. Most programs require your employer to fill out some paperwork. If you want to get into the work release program then apply prior to being sentenced to jail. This will minimize the amount of time you spend in jail waiting to get into the program.

Can I call my family in Jail?

Knox County TN Detention Facility has a phone program where inmates make outbound calls only, you cannot call into jail. Since you are paying for those calls don't make it a habit of accepting collect-calls, they are over $15 each. The alternative is to set up an account through their third-party phone company which charges steep fees for each minute used. You are paying for them to call you. Click here if you are going to speak a lot and need a discount on the calls.

Remember – These phone calls are recorded and conversations can be used against you or the inmate so do not discuss your case over these phone lines.

Reporting Family Emergencies – If there is an emergency, call (865) 281-6700 (Detention Facility) or (865) 342-9620 and advise the operator of the situation. When the emergency is verified, then the call can go through.

Adding Funds to an Inmate Account – Jail ATMs are located in the lobby of the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility and the Knox County Jail.  You may place cash into the ATM for the inmate for a $4.95 surcharge.  ATMs will also accept credit cards for a 10% surcharge. You may also add funds to inmate accounts by visiting jailatm.com.

Money Orders and Cashier’s Checks will be accepted by MAIL ONLY. A $2.50 surcharge will automatically be placed on all Money Order and Cashier’s Check received. Do not include any letters or correspondence with the Money Order or Cashier’s Check, as it will not be given to inmates.

Personal Property – Personal property will not be accepted unless prior approval has been obtained from the Facility Commander or his/her designee. Inmates may release personal property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Money will only be released Monday through Friday during normal business hours.  A “Property Transfer Receipt” must be completed prior to the money or property being issued.

Release of Funds to Inmates – All inmates being released from a Knox County Correctional Facility will be issued a debt card for the balance of their “Inmate Money Account.”  Inmates may pick up funds if not available upon release at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility.

Note: All monies not claimed within one year will be cancelled and the funds transferred to the State of Tennessee as unclaimed funds.

visitation Info

Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility – Visitation

On-site video visitation:

• 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (last scheduled visit at 1:00 p.m.)
• 3:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. (last scheduled visit at 5:30)

Remote Visits (from home only):

• 8:00 a.m to 1:30 p.m. (last scheduled visit at 1:00 p.m.)
• 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last scheduled visit at 8:30)

Daily Schedule:

Sunday

• Morning – Units 2 & 3
• Evening – Units 3 & 4

Monday

• Morning – Units 1 & 3
• Evening – Units 2 & 3

Tuesday

• Morning – Units 3 & 4
• Evening – Units 3 & 6

Wednesday

• Morning – Units 2 & 3
• Evening – Units 1 & 3

Thursday

• Morning – Units 3 & 6
• Evening – Units 3 & 4

Friday

• Morning – Units 1 & 3
• Evening – Units 2. 3 & 6

Saturday

• Morning – Units 3,4 & 6
• Evening – Units 1 & 3

If you do not have a home computer or access to the internet, you may use internal onsite visitation on Maloneyville Rd. Public kiosks are located at the Visitation Center. To schedule these visits call 865-281-6700 and select option 6 (visitation information). A staff member will assist you in scheduling your visit. 

Remote Visits Unscheduled – In addition to two scheduled 30-minute visits per week, family and friends utilizing a home computer, tablet or any other internet device may contact an inmate during the scheduled visitation hours listed.  An inmate may receive these additional visits unlimited on supplied tablets or kiosks not being used for scheduled visitors.  Please visit www.jailatm.com, set up an account and follow the menu for “Call Now” button. Cost is $5.99/call.

Knox County Correctional Facilities use video visitation as the only method for personal visits.

Visitors may visit inmates externally by using their home computers to schedule external remote visits.

Visitors must schedule these visits at least one day in advance of the date of the desired visit.

1. Visitors must create an account with JAILATM.COM in order to schedule and purchase remote visits. Visitors may schedule up to two (2) thirty (30) minute visits per week. There is a charge of $5.99 per thirty (30) minute visit. Prior to the scheduled visit, visitors will log onto JAILATM.COM to access the visit. The inmate will be notified on the kiosk that his/her visitor is calling in and will then log into the kiosk to accept the visit. The visit will automatically disconnect at the end of thirty (30) minutes or at any time either part chooses to end the call.

2. Visitors without access to home computers may opt to visit inmates internally, at no charge. Internal visits will be conducted at the Knox County Visitation Center located at 5109 Maloneyville Road. Visitors may only schedule visits by calling our visitation staff between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, Monday through Sunday. Onsite visits must be scheduled at least one day in advance of the desired visitation date. Internal visitors will bring their valid driver’s license or state identification card with them and check-in prior to the visit. Once checked in, the visitor will be directed to an available kiosk and log in using their valid approved identification. The inmate will be notified on the kiosk that his/her visitor is calling in and will then log into the kiosk to accept the visit. The visit will automatically disconnect at the end of thirty (30) minutes or at any time either party chooses to end the call.

3. Video visits are recorded and subject to monitoring at any time.

4. Inmates are required to wear their full issued uniform at all times during the visit.

5. Visitors are required to be in fully clothed in proper attire during the visit. No pornographic or sexual activities will be allowed during the visit. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of the current visit, disciplinary actions and loss of visitation privileges.

Click here for more on visitation from the KCSO Policy and Procedure Manual.