- State Prison
- Tennessee
- PO Box 549, Whiteville, TN 38075
- 731-254-6000
- Official Website
- Featured
TN DOC – Hardeman County Correctional Center – CoreCivic basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 731-254-6000
This facility is for adult inmates.
The inmates housed at Hardeman County Correctional located at 2520 Union Springs Rd in Whiteville, TN are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.
Hardeman County Correctional Facility a medium-security prison that can house a maximum of 2,100 adult male inmates, owned by the Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation, which contracts with private company CoreCivic for management of the prison on behalf of the State of Tennessee.
Inmate Orientation
Within the first two weeks of arrival here, every inmate will attend the facility’s orientation program and receive a copy of the facility’s inmate handbook.
The inmate handbook includes all the information an inmate needs to start a productive life inside the facility and remain connected with family or lawyers.
A few handbook topics include:
• Requesting a medical appointment/available medical services
• Religious services
• Educational programs
• Recreation
• Commissary and creating an account
• Hygiene and grooming expectations
• Facility schedule
• Visitation information and schedule
Orientation and the inmate handbook ensure that inmates in our care can immediately address any concerns or questions and begin to participate in the programs and services offered at our facility.
Operations Concern Center
At all times, we remain committed to the fair and ethical treatment of those individuals entrusted to our care.
CoreCivic has in place clear and accessible processes for inmates and family members to make grievances known that include a dedicated telephone and email hotline. We investigate all allegations fully and cooperate and collaborate with other agencies and law enforcement, as needed.
Protecting Inmate and Detainee Rights
At CoreCivic, we take very seriously our responsibility to respect and uphold the rights and welfare of inmates and detainees in our care. Our employees learn about the company’s longstanding inmate and detainee rights policies in their initial, pre-service training and are refreshed on those commitments every year through in-service training. The information is clearly stated in CoreCivic’s employee handbook, and the policies are also shared with every inmate and detainee who enters one of our facilities. Equally as important, we fully comply with any and all inmate and detainee rights policies our government partners require.
Our dedicated employees – including chaplains, nurses, teachers and officers – are committed to ensuring that every individual in our CoreCivic facilities has:
Safety and Security
• Protection from personal abuse and injury, verbal abuse, corporal punishment, property damage and harassment. For example, CoreCivic has a robust sexual abuse prevention program in place
• Freedom from unreasonable searches.
• Protection from an inmate or detainee having power or authority over another.
• Separate housing for males and females when both sexes are housed in the same facility.
Inmate Wellness
Corrections provides inmates and detainees with the opportunity to pause and assess their lifestyles. For many, incarceration marks the first time in their adult lives when they will have seen a medical professional or received a regular and balanced diet. At CoreCivic, we are proud to offer life-changing services that will enable men and women to find healthy paths toward wellness. We do this through a wide array of options, including:
Nutrition Services
Mealtime is very important in our everyday lives. Food is known as such an important aspect of correctional operations that it is often directly tied to inmate behavior and morale. Not only do breakfast, lunch and dinner help provide daily structure and routines, they also have an impact on overall health and wellness.
Nutrition service is a vital aspect of CoreCivic operations. Guided by our individual government partners, CoreCivic takes great care to offers meals that support specialized diets and cultural preferences, while conforming to rigorous nutritional guidelines. Our team of culinary experts relies on a library of nearly 700 recipes to meet the dietary needs of those in our care. All meals provided at CoreCivic facilities are reviewed and approved by registered dietitians. On a daily basis, we provide meals that support religious diets and more than a dozen therapeutic diets. In fact, seven percent of those is our care receive specialized therapeutic diets that serve to support wellness for a wide array of medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, pregnancy, and autoimmune diseases.
For many, incarceration serves as a much-needed opportunity to receive consistent access to quality nutrition services. When people have access to sufficient food, they are able to make better choices, increase learning abilities, and combat various health issues. Through something as fundamental as food, we are able to help guide inmates down a path toward health and wellness, both while in our care and after their release.
Health Care
All too often, for many offenders, the first time they receive comprehensive health care is upon becoming incarcerated.
Upon intake at a CoreCivic facility, inmates are screened so that our medical professionals may manage existing concerns and address any new diagnoses. A typical CoreCivic facility has a medical unit where physicians, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical assistants can provide routine check-ups, manage sick calls and address non-emergency needs. Our correctional health care facilities typically include a dental clinic, too.
For offenders who experience mental health problems, from emotional conflict to mental illness, we have a team of qualified mental health professionals to assist them with their needs. Offenders are screened upon arrival at each facility, and if needed, they're referred to a psychologist, psychiatrist or mental health specialist for follow-up evaluation and intervention. We provide treatment in the form of medication, when needed, as well as group and individual counseling. All CoreCivic staff receive training in the identification of mental health crises, and they refer offenders to the professional staff whenever they suspect someone is experiencing a problem. We constantly monitor the offender population for signs of declining mental health and suicide risk, working actively to assist a troubled offender in his or her time of need.
CoreCivic adheres to standardized regulations and/or are certified by the American Correctional Association, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and/or the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. These organizations work to improve the quality of health care provided in jails and prisons by developing and maintaining nationally recognized standards for correctional health care.
Our correctional health care teams are supported by a regional network of medical professionals across the country and are led by a talented team at the company's headquarters. Additionally, CoreCivic facilities leverage medical technology to securely automate medical records, scheduling, medication administration, pill call and pharmacy services.
Wellness Activities
Recreational opportunities help provide relief and respite to those in our care. At CoreCivic facilities, recreational outlets are designed to help inmates stay active, get fit and interact with fellow offenders in positive, collaborative ways. Sports like basketball, activities like board games and hobbies like creative writing or knitting help inmates tap into their creativity while learning valuable lessons in teamwork, communication and mutual respect.
Within CoreCivic correctional facilities, recreational activities are managed and overseen by CoreCivic professionals, not limited to but including chaplains, unit managers, recreational supervisors and others. Our devoted and trained volunteers also contribute valuable recreational programs like crafts, reading groups and other enjoyable pastimes to offenders in our correctional centers.
Staying in Touch
Staying in touch with an inmate can be challenging due to time limitations, especially when your loved one is located a considerable distance away.
Sometimes frequent visitation simply isn’t possible. Even so, staying in touch can make all the difference.
We believe that maintaining connections with friends and family makes a positive impact on the inmates in our care – behaviorally, emotionally and academically – and increases their success rate upon release. Success stories make our day.
• We invite you to visit.
• We invite you to write and call.
• We invite you to be involved and connected.
• Telephone Calls and Phone Cards
• Hearing the sounds of a familiar voice can lift an inmate’s spirits. Typically, our correctional facilities allow inmates to make collect calls.
• Each facility has a bank of phones that are provided for inmate calls. Inmates may use these phones to make collect calls or use their pre-paid calling card.
• Detailed information on how your loved one can apply money to their calling card is provided in the inmate handbook and will vary by facility.
Mail
Written mail through the U.S. Postal Service is perhaps one of the easiest ways for friends and family to stay in touch with their loved one. Every facility provides mail service for the inmate population.
Guidelines for addressing mail correctly can be found on the webpage for each specific facility.
While standard letters and cards are generally acceptable at every facility, all other allowable mail will vary from facility to facility.
The majority of our facilities will not allow packages (anything larger than a standard letter or card) from friends and family into the facility. Unapproved mail may result in an expense to the inmate if the item has to be shipped back, destroyed or donated.
Some facilities will allow friends and family members to purchase items from an approved vendor (such as Amazon). The package can be mailed directly from the approved vendor to the facility.
Email access is not available at this time.
Inmate Accounts and Commissary
Inmates may need or receive money for various facility life activities, such as a calling card, medical co-pays, items from commissary, or even a paying job. Inmate money is managed through inmate accounts.
Generally, all our facilities have a commissary, which is an in-facility storehouse where food items, hygiene items and writing materials can be purchased. This is in addition to the meals and standard-issue clothing and hygiene products already supplied by and paid for by the facility. Inmates use the money in their inmate account to purchase these items.
Typically, friends and family may contribute money to an inmate’s account. Many of the facility profiles have instructions for contributing to an inmate account.
PROPERTY – Inmates may not send out properly through visitation.
- General Population: 7:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Protective Custody: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
- General Population: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
- Protective Custody: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
**Times are subject to change based on facility counts**
visitation Info
CoreCivic/Hardeman County Correctional Facility – Visitation
VISITATION RULES
Contact Days/Hours:
- Saturday through Sunday 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.,
- Monday 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Visitation for general population inmates is on Saturday, Sunday, Monday evening and state holidays. Scheduled visitation hours will be posted and provided to each inmate. If the schedule changes, advanced notice will be given to the inmates and will be posted at the pedestrian checkpoint and inmate housing units. It is the responsibility of the inmates to notify their visitors of schedule changes. Only four (4) adults are allowed to visit at one time. However, there is no limit on children. Visitors must be considerate and aware of the space available. Visitors and inmates will depart visitation in an organized manner at the conclusion of the visit as directed by the visitation staff. Visitors are required to leave the facility property immediately at the conclusion of the visitation. Visitors who receive a visit on the weekend or holiday shall not be permitted a visit on the special weekday visitation (Monday evenings).
Visitation for protective custody inmates is on Saturday, Sunday, Monday evening and state holidays, however, will be non-contact in accordance with TN DOC policy.
All vehicles must be fully locked and secured. In the event a visitor vehicle is found to be unsecured, that visitor will be instructed to leave the visiting area and the visit will be terminated for the remainder of the day.
From time to time the institution shall perform a search of all vehicles entering the property. In such cases, K-9 drug dogs may be used during the vehicle searches. All persons shall be responsible for any contraband items found in their vehicles. In the event contraband is found, local and state law enforcement officials may issue written citations, make arrests or confiscate visitor's vehicles and belongings. It is illegal to possess the following on prison property: alcoholic beverages and any type of medication that cannot be readily identified by being in original containers or producing a prescription. Any person legally authorized to possess a firearm may transport and safely store a firearm or ammunition in a locked motor vehicle or locked container securely attached to the vehicle while on or utilizing the designated facility parking area. The firearm/ammunition shall be kept from ordinary observation. The introduction of contraband or failure to secure your authorized weapon(s)/ammunition could cause your privileges to be suspended. Visitors who are suspected of introducing contraband into the facility may be required to visit in a non-contact booth. In this situation, there will be no physical contact between inmates and visitors.
The visitor process is as follows:
"'*All applicants may be subject to NCIC background checks.
1. Inmates may have eight (8) adults and all immediate family members on their visiting list, subject to the Warden's approval. To add people to a visiting list, inmates should request a visitation application from the unit staff. The visitation application should be sent to the visitor who must complete it in its entirety and return it to the Visitation Supervisor. The Warden/designee will approve or disapprove the application. When a visitor is either approved or disapproved, written notice shall be given to the inmate. Visitation information will only be released to the affected inmate. Facility staff will not disclose status of a visitor application over the telephone. It is the inmate's responsibility to notify the visitor that he/she has been approved/disapproved. Each adult visitor must provide a bonafide picture identification on each visit. Children age six and older shall have a photograph (not a photocopy) attached to their visitor application CR-2152. These photographs will be updated at ages of 10, 14 and 18. Every visitor regardless of age shall have an approved visitation application on file.
2. Any omissions or falsifications of the visitation application and failure to notarize applications for minors will result in denial of the application form. If any falsification of the CR-2152 occurs by a visitor applicant, the visitor applicant shall not be allowed to resubmit a visitor application for a minimum of six months.
3. All visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an approved visitor who is either the child's parent, legal guardian or guardian. The custodial parent or legal guardian must provide a complete and notarized Parental consent/Release for Minor's Visitation Form (CR- 2152, page 2) which designates permission for the assigned visitor (as guardians) to accompany the child to visit and consent for the child to be searched. The requirements do
not apply if a visitor is under the age of 18 and legally married to the inmate they are visiting. Proof of marriage must be provided.
4. Members of the clergy, as recognized by the Chaplain or Warden, need not be placed on the Approved Visitor's List.
5. Attorneys of record need not be placed on the Approved Visitor's List.
6. Visitors may not be placed on more than one (1) inmate visitation list unless both the inmates are an immediate family member of the visitor and the relationship can be verified.
7. The institutional Warden shall impose a waiting period of one (1) year to review the application of visitors who have been removed from an offenders approved visitation list, either by visitor or inmate request, before placing them on the list of another offender, or placing them back on the original offenders list.
8. The length of the visit will depend upon the current schedules and space availability. Should overcrowding occur, visitors who are first that day may be asked to leave to allow for others to visit. When overcrowding occurs, visitors shall be required to remain in the lobby until space is available in the visiting area
9. Visitors found with contraband which is in violation of the law are subject to being detained for local law enforcement officials for possible arrest as per TCA 39-16-201 and visitation privileges may be suspended. This includes all tobacco products and paraphernalia.
10. Any visitor refusing to submit to any search shall be denied admittance and ordered to leave the property.
11. A visitor, who is arrested, shall be suspended pending disposition of the case which may include any conviction, disposition, e.g., incarceration, probation, or parole. Reinstatement of privileges will require submission of a new application.
12. In all instances where inmates test positive for and/or are in possession of illegal drugs, or refuse to comply with a request for drug screen, in addition to appropriate disciplinary actions, the Warden shall suspend the inmates visitation privileges with the exception of ministries and attorneys, according to the following: first offense -suspension for three (3) months; subsequent offenses -visits shall be suspended for additional three-month periods.
13. No one under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be allowed to visit.
14. Inappropriate or socially unacceptable physical contact will not be allowed between inmates and visitors. Examples include, but are not limited to: a) inflammatory comments; b) profanity/cursing; c) threatening others; d) petting or fondling.
15. Visitors are not allowed to deliver correspondence, money, printed materials, packages or any other item to inmates. Inmates will not take any items back to the housing units unless written approval has been granted by the Warden/designee.
16. Upon arriving into the visitation gallery all visitors will be required to approach the supervisor's podium and present the staff member with their perspective passes. Staff members will retrieve the pass and log all visitors in. Each visitor will be directed as to where they will be required to sit during their visitation time.
17. Visitors are responsible for controlling their children. Children are not allowed to run and play in the main visiting area or on the yard. Disciplining children is strictly up to the VISITOR and not the inmate. Any child under the age of twelve (12) must be accompanied by an adult when using restroom facilities.
18. Visitors may not sit on the inmates lap or vice versa.
19. Visitors will not be allowed to bring jackets or coats into the visitation area. Jackets or coats must stay in a secured vehicle or in the lockers provided at the checkpoint area.
20. Visitors and inmates may not sit with their legs crossed over each other and couples will not be hugged up while leaning against the walls. Feet are not to be propped in chairs.
21. The visitors and the inmates hands must be in view at all times and may not be underneath the table and/or clothing.
22. Visitors may not leave the visiting area for any reason and return to checkpoint or the parking lot and expect to re-enter the visitation gallery. Once you leave, the visit is considered over for the day.
23. No baby strollers are allowed, except for strollers and wheelchairs used by disabled children.
24. At no time may a visitor access the inmate restroom and at no time may inmates access the visitor restroom.
25. Visitors and inmates will not be allowed to pass or exchange any items during a visit, including jewelry, clothing, mail or pictures.
26. Institutional property is to be respected. Properly dispose of trash and keep hands off walls and paintings and keep feet off the walls. Children must be controlled while passing through gates and doors. Tables inside the visiting gallery are not to be moved. While visiting at the outside yard area, visitors and inmates are not allowed to sit and/or lie on the ground, nor are they allowed to sit on top of the tables, or lean against the chain-link fence.
27. Inmates who bring personal property to visitation will be sent back to their housing location to leave it there or it will be confiscated.
28. Inmates shall be frisk searched before entering restrooms. Inmates may be strip searched if the visitation supervisor/shift supervisors approves prior to entering the restroom.
29. Inmates and visitors shall remain seated during visits at all times except for the purpose of using the restroom. However, visitors are allowed to make purchases from vending machines for the inmate. Children shall not be allowed to use the vending machines unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
30. Visitors must remain a minimum of ten (10) feet from inmate restroom and strip room.
31. Visitors and inmates may briefly engage in a kiss and embrace with their visitors as they meet at the beginning of the visitation session and again at the conclusion of the session. No excessive, inappropriate kissing or rubbing/touching will be allowed.
32. Non-contact visiting of inmate may be authorized by the Warden/designee inaccordance with TDOC Policy 507.01.l.
33. Inmates who accompany their visitor to the vending machine must remain behind the red line from each machine.
34. Handcuff keys are not allowed.
35. CoreCivic/Hardeman County Correctional Facility is a tobacco-free facility. The possession/use of tobacco products is strictly prohibited.
VISITOR DRESS CODE
a. Clothing shall fit in an appropriate manner, clothing appearing to be too large or too small for the wearer which creates obvious gaps or exposure, or would present a hazard to the wearer will be rejected.
b. Visitors may not wear excessive clothing such as two pairs of pants or an extra shirt under their top layer of clothing.
c. Visitors must wear appropriate undergarments at all times.
d. No outer garments manufactured from spandex or spandex-type material allowed.
e. No transparent or translucent clothing allowed.
f. Shoes must be worn at all times to provide basic foot protection. Open-toed shoes and/or sandals with a back strap may be allowed. Steel-toed shoes, shower shoes and flip-flops are prohibited.
g. No tight/body clinging/revealing clothing allowed.
h. No worn or tattered clothing with holes allowed.
i. Shorts or skirts/dresses are permitted provided the leg is covered to within three (3) inches above the knee in a standing position with the garment worn in the position in which it is intended to be worn. No excessive or revealing splits, buttons or zippers in dresses will be authorized. No wrap-around skirts/dresses. Sundresses, backless, and low cut clothing will not be allowed. Midriff must be covered at all times. No sleeveless shirts or blouses. Cut off shorts are not permitted.
J. Clothing with logos that contain pictures, slogans or vulgarity, or contain signs or symbols of security threat groups (such as gang-related) or any clothing determined by the officer to be associated with security threat groups is not allowed. The association may be made by color combination, designs or logos affixed to the clothing or how the clothing is being worn. No beer advertisements. No camouflage attire allowed.
k. No halters, tube or tank tops, all apparel must have sleeves.
l. No sweat pants, stirrup pants or leggings allowed.
m. No bandannas or hat/caps. During winter months visitors will be allowed to dress appropriately, however, an excessive amount of clothing will not be permitted. For example, a person would be allowed to wear an undershirt, a long sleeve shirt, and a sweater, but more than one sweater or more than one pair of pants would be considered unacceptable.
n. Prosthesis, artificial limbs (plastic or other substances), and cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators shall be allowed and the visitor may be required to present a doctor's note.
o. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner that their behavior is not offensive to other visitors, inmates or employees. Visits may be terminated or denied by the on-duty shift supervisor for reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Visitor is not on approved visitation list.
b. Visitor refuses to show appropriate and bonafide ID.
c. Visitor refused to submit to a frisk search or vehicle search.
d. Visitor is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
e. Insufficient space for visiting or is not the inmates designated visiting period.
f. Improper dress.
g. Inflammatory comments, profanity, cursing or threatening other inmates, visitors or employees. ·
h. Pushing or attempting to strike others.
1. Horse-playing.
J. Harassment of inmates, visitors or employees.
k. Attempting to bring in items which are not permitted or leaving items which are not permitted.
l. Necking, petting or fondling.
m. Failure to control children.
n. The inability to clear the metal detector. Exceptions will be made for visitors whom have a medical reason to indicate that they are unable to clear the metal detector. The visitor may be required to provide proof from the doctor indicating foreign metal in the body.
ITEMS ALLOWED BY VISITORS
1. Neither wallet nor purse is permitted in the facility. All money must be applied to a debit card in the lobby area before clearing checkpoint. All food and beverage purchases from vending machines will be purchased by the use of a debit card. Visitors can purchase a debit card for $2 (first-time purchases require a $5 bill), inside the facility lobby.
2. Visitor(s) may also bring baby items to include two (2) diapers, baby wipes in plastic container, one (1) clear plastic baby feeding bottle, powder baby formula or approved baby food in clear plastic bag, not to exceed the amount for two (2) feedings.
3. Identification with photograph issued by a local state or federal agency is required.
4. Car keys; preferably door key and/or locking mechanism, glasses, wedding ring(s), one
(1) other ring and earring(s).
INMATE DRESS – TDOC uniform will be the only clothing inmates will be allowed to wear to access visitation. Only one plain white T-shirt may be worn under the TDOC shirt, which must be worn and cannot be removed in the visitation area. No excessive clothing will be allowed such as wearing sweat pants under the TDOC pants. Inmates are not permitted to wear long underwear during visits. No head coverings will be allowed during visitation other than approved religious items. The white TDOC stripe must be clearly visible and no bleached or cut pants will be allowed. All clothing must be in good repair with no holes, patches or alterations. Pants must be worn around the waist and the shirt buttoned and tucked in. Coats will not be allowed to be worn to visitation. CoreCivic/HCCF staff is not responsible for the loss of property.
ITEMS ALLOWED BY INMATES
1. Identification card and facility pass.
2. Wedding band only.
SPECIAL VISITS – A special visit may not be approved if the intended visitor is on another inmate's visitation list unless the inmate is an immediate family member, as defined in TN DOC Policy.
The following may be approved for a special visit:
a. Children, as part of a special program to promote family bonding
b. Prospective employers, sponsors, or parole advisors
c. Physicians, psychiatrists, or other health professionals (See Policy #113.30)
d. Persons significant to the inmate for purposes of crisis intervention
e. Official visitors
The intended visitor's status cannot be suspended, denied, or terminated from an inmate's visitation list.
The request may be denied by the Warden/designee, depending on the visitors' criminal record, recent criminal activity, or if the visitor is a current or former CoreCivic or TDOC employee as defined in TDOC Policy 507.01 Visitation.
Requests for special visits must be completed by the inmate and received by the Assistant Warden of Operations at least seven (7) days prior to the intended visit date. Notification of the inmate regarding the approval/disapproval will be made by the Assistant Warden of Operations.
Attorney visits may occur during normal business hours (8:00 am -5:00 pm, Monday -Friday) to include attorneys and their representatives (i.e. investigators, paralegal, law students, etc.) in reasonable numbers. The Warden/designee must be notified 24 hours in advance of an intended visit, unless it can be shown that such notice was not possible.
Each attorney must present bonafide evidence of his/her license to practice law, to include a state bar membership card and matching identification, such as driver's license. All attorney
briefcases, etc…., must be searched in order to prevent possible introduction of contraband.
ABOUT HCCF VISITING GALLERY – Each visitor is processed through our checkpoint area. Once each visitor has properly cleared the metal detector, they are thoroughly pat searched and hand stamped. Visitors may be directed by visitation staff members as to where they will be required to sit during their visitation time.
Restroom: Both men's and women's visitor restrooms are located at the back of our large visitation gallery.
