Beginning November 3, 2025, all personal mail for Tennessee DOC inmates goes to a centralized scanning facility in Phoenix, Maryland - not to the prison. Mail is scanned and delivered digitally to the inmate's TDOC-issued tablet at no cost to the inmate.
Personal mail sent directly to TDOC facilities after November 3, 2025 is returned to sender.
Legal mail, publications, and packages still go to the facility directly.
TDOC refers to incarcerated people as "inmates" and "offenders" interchangeably in its materials. Tennessee houses more than 19,000 inmates across 14 state prisons.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
All personal mail goes to the centralized scanning address. Use this format on the envelope:
[Facility Name Where the Inmate is Housed]
[Inmate First and Last Name]
TDOC ID#
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Two critical details about the envelope:
- Write "TDOC ID#" in front of the number - the ID is read electronically; if it is missing or unclear, the letter will not be delivered.
- Include a return name and address on every envelope.
Find the inmate's committed name, TDOC ID number, and facility using the Felony Offender Information Lookup (FOIL) at tn.gov/correction/agency-services/foil.html.
How scanning works: mail arrives at the Phoenix MD facility, is processed and scanned into a digital document, and is delivered to the inmate's tablet - free of charge. Photos, drawings, and other permitted items are included in the digital format. Mail is typically available within 1 to 3 business days after receipt at the PO Box.
Physical originals are held up to 90 days then destroyed. The inmate retains access to the digital version for the duration of their incarceration.
Senders can track the status of their mail and receive a notification if a letter is rejected.
Outgoing mail from inmates is not affected by this change.
Photos
Photos will be scanned along with letters. Photos with profanity or inappropriate content will not be delivered. Comply with TDOC Policy 507.02 for content restrictions.
What still goes to the facility
Legal and privileged mail: still sent directly to the facility where the inmate is housed. This includes correspondence from attorneys, court clerks, legal aid clinics, and governmental officials or agencies. If privileged mail is accidentally sent to the Phoenix MD scanning address, it will be forwarded to the facility.
Publications (books, magazines, newspapers): must be mailed directly to the facility from the publisher - not to the Phoenix MD PO Box. This includes books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, circulars, catalogues, and clippings. See Policy 507.02 for full content guidelines.
Packages: see the package section below.
Packages - Union Supply Direct
Packages may be ordered through Union Supply Direct by approved visitors on the inmate's visitor list. Items are sent directly to the facility from Union Supply Direct.
Mail order form to:
Union Supply Direct, Dept. 400
PO Box 9018
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90224-9018
The items and number of packages an inmate may receive depends on custody level, location, and disciplinary history.
See TDOC's frequently asked questions page for the current approved package vendor list.
Sending money - JPay and ViaPath
Deposits to an inmate's trust fund account must go through JPay or ViaPath only. Deposits cannot be received at any TDOC or CoreCivic facility.
Do not send money by any other means. If you are asked to send money through any channel other than JPay or ViaPath, contact the TDOC TIPS Hotline immediately: 1-844-TDC-FIND (1-844-832-3463).
JPay (trust fund / commissary account):
- Online: jpay.com
- Phone: 800-574-5729
- Walk-in cash locations: see jpay.com for locations
- Money order: free (no associated fee); include deposit slip and offender ID number; mail to JPay, PO Box 260088, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
ViaPath/ConnectNetwork (phone PIN debit account):
- Deposit directly to an inmate's phone account through ConnectNetwork
- Funds can be used for phone calls on the approved telephone list
- See connectnetwork.com for account setup and funding options
- Transactions may come with associated fees; terms detailed during the transaction
CoreCivic facilities: use Inmate Calling Solutions (ICS) for phone accounts instead of ConnectNetwork.
Phone calls - ConnectNetwork (GTL/ViaPath)
TDOC does not permit inbound telephone calls. Inmates can only place outbound calls to numbers on their approved list. In a family emergency, contact the facility chaplain.
Each inmate may have up to 10 approved telephone numbers. Inmates must initiate any changes to their approved phone list through the unit team at their facility.
To be removed from an inmate's approved phone list: submit a written request to the facility's warden or superintendent.
Phone platform: ConnectNetwork (GTL/ViaPath) for TDOC state facilities. CoreCivic-managed facilities use Inmate Calling Solutions (ICS).
Tennessee county jails
Tennessee has 95 counties, each with its own jail system. County jails are not part of TDOC and have their own mail and deposit rules. Contact each county facility directly.
What to know before you send anything
Personal mail (letters, photos): P.O. Box 247, Phoenix MD 21131. Write "TDOC ID#" before the number - if it is missing or unclear, the mail will not be delivered. Include your return name and address.
Personal mail mailed directly to TDOC facilities is returned to sender.
Legal/privileged mail: directly to the facility.
Books, magazines, newspapers: directly to the facility from the publisher.
Packages: Union Supply Direct (approved visitors only); mail order form to PO Box 9018, Rancho Dominguez CA 90224-9018.
Money: JPay (jpay.com or 800-574-5729) for trust fund; ViaPath/ConnectNetwork for phone account. No deposits at facilities. TIPS Hotline if asked to send money any other way: 1-844-832-3463.
Phone: ConnectNetwork for state facilities; ICS for CoreCivic facilities. No inbound calls. Up to 10 approved numbers.
Inmate search: tn.gov/correction/agency-services/foil.html
County jails: contact each directly.
Related pages:
/prisons/tennessee
How to send money to a Tennessee inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Tennessee TDOC inmate?
To the centralized scanning address: [Facility Name] / [Inmate First and Last Name] / TDOC ID# / P.O. Box 247 / Phoenix, MD 21131. Include "TDOC ID#" before the number. Find the inmate's TDOC ID and facility at tn.gov/correction/agency-services/foil.html.
Can I send photos?
Yes - include them with your letter. Photos are scanned. No profanity or inappropriate images.
What if I mail something directly to the prison?
Personal mail sent directly to TDOC facilities after November 3, 2025 is returned to sender.
How long until the inmate receives my letter?
Mail is typically available digitally within 1 to 3 business days after it arrives at the Phoenix MD PO Box.
What happens to my original letter?
Held at the scanning facility up to 90 days then destroyed. The inmate retains the digital version for the duration of their incarceration.
Can I send a book?
Books must be mailed directly to the facility from the publisher - not to the Phoenix MD address. See Policy 507.02 for content requirements.
How do I send money?
Through JPay (jpay.com or 800-574-5729) for the trust fund/commissary account. Money orders are free - mail to JPay, PO Box 260088, Pembroke Pines FL 33026 with deposit slip and offender ID. Do not use any other method.
How do I set up phone calls?
Through ConnectNetwork at connectnetwork.com (state facilities) or ICS (CoreCivic facilities). No inbound calls to TDOC. Up to 10 numbers on the approved list. ====================================================================
Stay Connected with InmateAid
Reach Your Loved One in Tennessee
InmateAid helps families stay in touch. Set up discounted calls, send letters and photos, add money, or send approved magazines - all in one place.