McMinn Co Jail Visitation Center

McMinn County Jail - Visitation

The McMinn County Sheriff’s Office encourages inmates to have visits with family and friends.

Due to the safety and security of the McMinn County Justice Center, including the safety of all employees, inmates, volunteers, and visitors, we must impose guidelines or rules in reference to inmate visitation.

Inmates will be limited to receiving visits from those individuals whose names have been submitted and approved on an Authorized Visitation List. These lists are limited to five (5) visitors’ maximum.

Any person with a felony conviction within the last twenty-four (24) months or confined in any correctional facility within the last twelve (12) months, or has a known gang affiliation, will not be permitted in this facility for visitation purposes.

Upon assignment to a permanent housing unit, inmates in the McMinn County Sheriff's Office corrections facility may complete and submit names for their approved visitor list. Only one (1) list may be submitted within a ninety (90) day period. Approved visitation lists may only be revised once in a ninety (90) day period.

Visitation schedules are posted in each housing unit.

Limits on the number of visitors may be imposed based upon schedule, space and personnel constraints. Each inmate will be permitted three (3) visitors’ maximum per visit.

Visitation sign-in starts approximately fifteen (15) minutes prior to the visit.

Visitors’ must follow the instructions of MCSO staff or the visit will be terminated. Any violation of the rules will result in the termination of your visit and may result in your visitor being permanently barred from visiting you.

The following is a list of rules and guidelines pertaining to inmate visitation:

1. All visitors must present proper identification (federal, state, or local issued photo i.d. to include name, address, and date of birth) at time of each registration.
2. All visitors are subject to search prior to entry into the facility. Failure to comply with this procedure is grounds for denial of visitation.
3. Visitors under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be admitted into the facility.
4. Proper attire is required at all times. Shoes and shirts must be worn. Suggestive clothing, see-through fabric, extremely short shorts, miniskirts, and hats may not be worn.
5. Visitors under the age of eighteen (18) must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian and their birth certificate, unless he/she is legally married to the inmate receiving the visit or he/she has been emancipated by the court. It is up to the visitor to provide this documentation at each visit.
6. All children must be closely supervised at all times before, during and after the visit. Children may not be left unattended at any time.
7. Visitors may not convey or pass any article(s) to any inmate or receive any article(s) from an inmate.
8. Valid identification only will be allowed into the visitation area. All other items such as large coats, keys, hand held wallets, purses, satchels, diaper bags, tobacco products, or any food or drink products will not be allowed. (visitors with infant children will be permitted to retain one (1) diaper, one (1) baby bottle, and one (1) baby blanket per child.)
9. Eating or drinking in the visitation area is prohibited.
10. Tobacco products of any kind are strictly prohibited in the visitation area. Anyone caught will have visitation privileges terminated.
11. All visitors must remain inside the assigned booth at all times during the visit.
12. Loud talking, excessive emotional outburst, or any other type of disruptive behavior is not allowed in the visitation area.
13. A visit is automatically terminated if a visitor or inmate leaves the assigned booth.
14. No cellular telephones, cameras, audio or video equipment will be allowed into the visitation area without prior approval.
15. Any vandalism or destruction of McMinn County property is prohibited.
16. Violation of any of the above regulations may result in the termination of the visit and/or suspension of future visitation privileges.
17. The introduction of, or attempt to introduce into the facility or upon facility grounds, any contraband, to wit: any written or recorded communication; any currency or coin; any article of food or clothing; any intoxicating beverage; any narcotic or drug of any kind or nature; or is intended to be used as an aid in assisting or attempting to assist an escape is a felony and will be prosecuted under all applicable federal and state laws.

Visiting Inmates at McMinn County TN Jail

All Visitors are subject to search once inside the facility.

The public may visit no more than one time per week, Monday through Saturday at this Athens TN location. Visitors must sign inat least 15 minutes before their scheduled visits. If you schedule a visit and don't show up or show up late, you will not be allowed to visit the rest of that week, including Saturday. If a visit on Saturday is scheduled, and the visitor does not show up or shows up late, they will not be allowed to visit until the following Saturday. Repeated late arrival or no-show violations may result in longer suspension of visiting privileges. Inmates are allowed no more than one (1) visit per day. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, unless they are visiting a parent. Unaccompanied minors (under age 18) visiting a parent must present a copy of their birth certificate. Children must remain with the parent at all times during the visit. All visitors must have acceptable identification. This includes a drivers license with picture identification, military ID, or other verifiable picture ID. Three (3) pieces of non-picture ID may substitute for picture ID.

No mail or messages for inmates will be accepted. Mail must go through the U.S. Mail. Visitors may only visit the inmate they have signed up to visit. Any visitor who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to visit. Inappropriate behavior, including the use of profanity, will not be permitted. No weapons will be permitted. All other items listed in the jail lobby are prohibited. There is a maximum of four (4) visitors per booth, including children, and the door must remain closed.

All visitors must wear appropriate clothing, including shoes and shirts. Restrictions on attire or appearance include: No miniskirts or similar attire; no low-cut or revealing necklines; no attire with obscene or offensive language; and no persons with a bare midriff will be permitted to visit. Visitors cannot bring items into the visiting area including weapons of any kind, purses, handbags, backpacks, diaper bags, food, drink, gum, baby bottles, pictures, books, toys, writing utensils, strollers or carriers, cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic devices.

Violation of the above restrictions may cause the visit to be cancelled or terminated, and visiting privileges may be suspended by the McMinn Sheriffs Department. The on-duty supervisor may cancel visits without notice due to circumstances within the jail.