TN DOC – Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW)

TN DOC – Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 615-741-1255

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at TN DOC – TPFW located at 3881 Stewarts Ln in Nashville, 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.

TPFW is a mixed custody state prison that houses adult females convicted to serve time in the TN DOC. This facility is designated as a maximum-security prison, but holds all custody levels including inmates on work release and women who are on death row. Tennessee Prison for Women is also responsible for the intake and classification of all female inmates in the state. During this process, offenders are fingerprinted, photographed and a complete medical and criminal history is taken. Offenders are also given several exams to determine the programs and facility that will best accommodate their needs and security level. Tennessee Prison for Women offers a work-release program to eligible offenders who close to their release date. The work-release program allows the inmate to leave the facility during the day to attend a job and return to the institution at the end of their shift. This allows the inmate to experience more responsibility and prepare financially for release. Tennessee Prison for Women has several alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs available. Inmates can also take educational classes to earn a GED and vocational courses in cosmetology, culinary arts, computers, and various construction trades. One of the more unique programs at Tennessee Prison for Women is the weekend child visitation program which allows the offender to have up to two of their children stay the weekend with them.

TN DOC – Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) – FAQ

visitation Info

TN DOC – Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) – Visitation

VISITATION SCHEDULE

• FRIDAY: Visitation will open at 5:00 p.m.   The cut off time for a visitor to sign in is 8:00 p.m. (visitors must be here before  8:00 p.m.).   
  • Visitation is closed at 8:30 p.m.   Only inmates that are unable to visit on Saturday or Sunday will be allowed to visit on Friday Evening.
• SATURDAY:   Visitation will open at 8:30 a.m.  (Visitors are not admitted until 8:30 a.m.)  
  • Visitation will close at 3:30 p.m.  The cutoff time for a visitor to sign-in is at 3:00 p.m.
• SUNDAY:   Visitation will open at 8:30 a.m.  (Visitors are not admitted until 8:30 a.m.)  
  • Visitation will close at 3:30 p.m.  The cutoff time for a visitor to sign-in is at 3:00 p.m.

NOTE: Checkpoint will open for the processing of visitation; at the following times on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are not allowed to be at checkpoint other than times listed below.

• 8:30 a.m. thru 10:00 a.m.
• 11:30 a.m. thru 1:30 p,m, 
• 2:30 p.m. thru 3:00 p. m.

Please keep in mind that a visitor must be here before the cut off time.

Friday Evenings  

• Main Compound – 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm 
• Annex Compound – 8:30 am – 3:30 pm   
• Unit 3 None

Saturday and Sunday       

• Main Compound – 8:30 am – 3:30  pm
• Annex Compound – 8:30 pm -3:30 pm
• Unit 3 – 8:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Holidays  

• Main Compound  8:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.    
• Annex Compund – 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.   
• Unit 3 – 8:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Visitors who are denied admittance to the institution must leave state property immediately. No one is allowed to sit in automobiles on institutional grounds or in reception/checkpoint areas. All visitors must leave state property promptly after visitation hours are over.

There will be no movement between 1:45 pm. -2:15 p.m. A courtesy "call- out" announcement will be made at 1:30 p.m. for those that wish to leave. At 1:45 p.m., everyone will be required to remain in their respective visitation area until 2: 15 p.m.

During an institutional emergency, visitation may be canceled as deemed appropriate by the warden/designee.

NUMBER OF VISITORS ALLOWED – No more than four adults will be allowed per offender. Children under eighteen years of age may visit if they are accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or guardian who is also on the inmates approved visiting list.
 
There will be no limit on children under the age of eighteen years of age provided that they are accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or guardian who is also on the inmates approved visiting list. The escort must be on the notarized parental consent form. The only exception is if a visitor is under the age of eighteen (18) and legally married to the inmate they are visiting. Proof of marriage will be required.

Identification is not required for children under the age of 16 yews of 0.ge: however, a visitation application CR-2152 with a recent picture must be on file.  The custodial parent or legal guardian must provide a completed and notarized Parental Consent/Release for Minor's Visitation Form (CR-2152, page 2).  Which designates permission for the assigned visitors (as guardians) to accompany the child to visit and consent for the child to be searched.

ACCESS TO THE VISITATION AREA – All visitors will park in any available parking spot, except spots that are reserved for individuals. All automobiles parked on state property must be secured by rolling up all windows and locking all doors.

Neither the Tennessee Prison for Women nor the Tennessee Department of Correction will be responsible for visitor's automobiles or items/property left in a visitor's car. Parking is at the visitor's own risk. TPFW is not and will not be responsible for any vandalism or theft to the personal property of the visitor's vehicle.

Handicapped parking spaces are available for disabled visitors. The spaces are identified with a handicapped placard.

All visitors will need to proceed to the checkpoint area to be processed for visitation. Please note the times the checkpoint is open for processing in the Visitation Section of this handbook.

Upon reporting to the checkpoint area for processing, be prepared to give the visitation officer/checkpoint officer the inmate's full name and the inmates TDOC number.

The visitor will need to sign in the visitation ledger and provide acceptable identification at the checkpoint.

Upon completion of the identification/approval process, visitors will be issued a visitor identification tag. The tag is to be worn at all times on the outside of the visitors clothing. The visitor's left hand will be stamped with incandescent ink.

No items are allowed to be brought in for an inmate during visitation.  Note: This does not include authorized picnic items.

All visitors for inmates housed at the Annex are to report to the checkpoint at the main compound to be processed in before going to the Annex to visit.

Visitors shall not  be allowed to bring any  items into the visitation area except:

1.    ID (Government-issued photo)
2.    One (1) car key (the one that opens the door). No electronic door controls are allowed unless it is part of the key.
3.    Eyeglasses
4.    Vending machine card (no wallet(s) or money)
5.    Watch (1)
6.    Wedding ring(s) and other ring (1)
7.    Earring (s)
8.    Baby items (2 diapers, baby wipes in clear plastic container, 1 clear plastic baby feeding bottle, powder baby formula or approved food in a clear plastic bag, not to exceed amount for two (2) feedings)
NOTE:  Vending machine debit cards are required if you desire to purchase anything from the vending machines.  You purchase the debit card for $5.00, which credits $3.00 to the card.  After the card is purchased additional money can be added in increments of $1.00 up to $20.00 (bills only, no change). TPFW is not responsible for items or money lost in the vending machines.  No inmate is permitted to have a vending machine debit card in her possession.  This includes holding or using the card while in the visitation  area.

The visitation officers are not allowed to accept or hold any unauthorized items. All items must be returned to the visitor's car. No items are allowed to be left at checkpoint by a visitor.

All visitors must clear the metal detector search. Anyone failing to clear a walk through the metal detector will be subjected to a closer screening by a handheld metal detector. Failure to pass the localized search will require the individual to produce or otherwise identify the item causing the metal detector to react.

All visitors will be frisk searched. All searches will be in accordance with TDOC policy 506.06.

Upon leaving the visitation gallery, all visitors will sign out of the visitation ledger and return the visitor identification tag.

Inmates who are transient status shall not be allowed any visitation for two weeks (attorneys and clergy are exempt). The Warden may allow special visits at the end of the two weeks, for immediate family members only.

VISITING IN MAIN VISITATION- GALLER. Y AND AT THE ANNEX
Visitors will be allowed a minimum of two (2) hours to visit within the scheduled visitation time.  Once the visitation area is full, additional visitors will not be allowed access until those in the area have had at leas two (2) hours to visit. At that point, if visitors have
visited two (2) hours or more that visit will be terminated to allow someone else in to visit.
VISITING IN UNIT III – All inmates visiting in Unit III visitation area will have a Non-Contact visit that will be limited to one (1) hour. Only four (4) visitors total are allowed to visit. No more than three (3) inmates will be allowed to visit in this area per each officer available to monitor this visitation area.

CHILDREN'S PLAY AREA AND RULES – A Children's play area is located in the main and annex compound visitation lobbies.  Parents/guardians are expected to stay with their children at all times.

MAIN COMPOUND
RESTROOMS – Visitors may utilize restrooms marked "VISITOR ONLY" in the visitation gallery.  Offenders may, one at a time, utilize the restroom marked "INMATE ONLY" in the visitation gallery.  Small children must be accompanied into the restroom by the visitor that brought chem.  At no time are any inmates allowed to accompany anyone to the restroom.

ANNEX – Visitors are to utilize the restroom located in the P-Building (bldg. 12).  Small children are to be escorted  to the restroom by the visitor bringing the child.  When on the picnic area visitors/inmates will have access to port-o-johns marked.
Note: Only one person is allowed in the restroom at a time.  At no time are any inmates allowed to accompany anyone to the restroom.

DRESS CODE – Persons entering The Tennessee Prison for Women Facility should dress comfortably and in casual attire; however, they shall be expected to comply with the following basic dress requirements.
 
Clothing shall fit in an appropriate manner.  Clothing appearing to be too large or ·oo small for the wearer, which creates obvious gaps or exposure, or would present a hazard to the wearer will not be allowed.

• Visitors must wear undergarments.  (Samples of undergarments deemed inappropriate are thongs and water brassieres.)  Underwear must not be exposed.
• Appropriate footwear to provide basic foot protection shall be required while on institutional grounds. Open toe shoes or sandals are permitted.   Steel-toed shoes, shower shoes and flip-flops, are prohibited.
• Shorts or skirts are permitted provided the leg is covered to within three inches above the knee in a standing position with the garment worn in the position in which it is intended to be worn. No wrap around skirts or swimwear.
• No garments manufactured from spandex or spandex-type fabrics. 
• No clothing that is transparent or translucent in nature.
• No sleeveless shirts and blouses.
• No dresses or clothing exposing a bare chest or midriff
• No camouflage attire.
• No worn or tattered clothing with holes.
• No clothing with logos that contain pictures, slogans, or vulgarity, or contain signs or symbols of security threat groups (STG), or any clothing determined by the processing officer to be associated with any STG.
• The association may be made by color combination, design, or logos, affixed to the clothing, or the manner in which the clothing is worn.
• Splits in dresses or skirts that extend three inches above the knee, or slits, which cause the entire dress or skirt to be above three inches above the knee, will not be permitted.
• No bandanas.
• Visitors may not wear excessive clothing such as two pairs of pants or an extra shirt under their top layer of clothing. This is necessary to prohibit the exchange of clothing between inmates and visitors.
• No unauthorized clothing item may be concealed beneath another item of clothing.
• Prostheses, artificial 1imbs (plastic or other substances), and cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators shall be allowed and the visitor may be required to present a current doctor's note.
• Handicapped visitors may bring their wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.  All items will be subject to search.
• No medications will be permitted inside the institution, except nitroglycerin and asthma inhalers.
• No hats are to be taken into the visitation gallery unless it is religious headgear.  Hats can be worn on the picnic area only. Hats are to be worn with the bill to the front.
• No sunglasses or shades unless prescription.

No jogging or sweat pants tliat button above the knee are allowed. Visitors are required to wear their identification cards a-: a:l times.
Inmate Dress
TDOC uniforms (blue shirts and pants) are the only clothing inmates will be allowed to wear to access the visitation area.

Only plain white T-shirts may be worn under the TDOC blue shirt. No grey t-shirts, thermal top or thermal bottoms are not to be ·worn to visitation.

No part of the TDOC uniform may be removed at any time during visitation. Inmates will not be allowed to bring coats into the visitation picnic area.
The white TDOC stripe must be clearly visible on the TDOC pants and no bleached out pants/shirts will be allowed.

All clothing must be in good repair with no holes, patches, or altern.ticns. All pants must be worn around the waist.