Who has someone in custody — state prison, county jail, or federal — and the free official lookups for each. No fees, no data brokers.
How to Find Someone in Custody in Tennessee
Three separate systems hold people in custody in Tennessee, and they don't share one search. State prison inmates are in Tennessee Department of Correction custody. People awaiting trial or serving short sentences sit in county jails. Federal defendants are a third system entirely. Here's how to check each, free.
State custody: start with the Tennessee Department of Correction locator (tn.gov) — name or ID number searches, current facility, and in most cases projected release dates.
County jails: 7 Tennessee counties post their own jail rosters, linked below — that's where you'll find anyone arrested recently or serving under a year.
Federal custody: the Bureau of Prisons locator (bop.gov) covers federal defendants and anyone sentenced in US District Court — a separate population people forget to check.
Stay notified: VINELink sends automatic alerts when someone's custody status changes — transfer, release, or escape — in nearly every state.
TDOC's FOIL search (Felony Offender Information Lookup) covers state custody and community supervision both. Content reviewed July 29, 2026 by the SearchSystems editorial team.
Beyond the Roster: Releases, Transfers, and Alerts
1
Set the alert instead of re-searching
Custody status changes without notice — transfers, releases, court dates. VINELink (linked above) does the watching for you: register the name and it calls or emails when status changes. It is the single most useful step for victims, families, and attorneys alike.
2
Check all three custody layers
People move between layers: county jail pre-trial, Tennessee Department of Correction custody after sentencing, federal facilities for federal charges. A no-hit in one layer means check the other two — the county rosters, the state locator, and the federal BOP search above cover all three.
3
Get the records, not just the status
The roster shows where someone is; the paper trail lives elsewhere. Sentencing terms are in the court file (Tennessee court records), and incarceration records beyond the public lookup are requested from the agency under the state records act — the Tennessee records-law guide shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tennessee inmate locator free?
Yes. Every official source on this page is free to search. Sites that charge for 'inmate reports' are reselling public data.
Why can't I find someone arrested yesterday?
Fresh arrests appear in the county jail's booking system first, sometimes hours later. State locators only list people after sentencing and transfer to state custody.
Does a locator listing mean the person was convicted?
No. Jail rosters include people awaiting trial who are presumed innocent. Check the court docket for the case outcome.
How do I send money or arrange a visit?
Each facility sets its own rules — the Tennessee Department of Correction site covers state facilities, and each county sheriff posts local jail policies.
