No more paper mail for Tennessee inmates; digital system debuts in November

One of the most common strategies people use in an attempt to get drugs or contraband to a prison inmate is by hiding it in their incoming mail. 

Beginning in November, the Tennessee Department of Correction will transition from physical mail to scanned, digitized personal mail for inmates.

Mail from family members, friends, and loved ones will be received at an off-site facility, where it will be scanned and delivered in a digital format to inmates on tablets issued by the TDOC. 

This new process aims to reduce contraband and increase security while providing faster and more reliable mail delivery to inmates.

Letters will be delivered at no cost to the inmate, and inmates will have access to the letters for the duration of their incarceration. 

Additionally, senders will be able to track the status of their mail and will receive notification if a letter is rejected. 

Starting November 3, all inmate mail must be sent to one official address:

Facility Name
Inmate Name
TDOC ID #
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

Correspondence from attorneys, governmental officials or agencies will not be affected and should continue to be sent to the facility where the inmate is incarcerated. Outgoing inmate mail will also not be affected.


(AP Photo Charles Krupa)