Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center

Search for an Inmate in Shelby County

Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Information

The top capacity of the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center is 133, and it houses juveniles from around the county as well as those who are referred by other law enforcement agencies. They will remain at the facility until they are released after their detention hearing, most often within 48-72 hours, their transfer to criminal court and an adult facility for those facing charges of violent crime and are over the age of 15, or until they are released after finishing their program or term of detention required by the court. During a term of detention there are efforts made to maintain educational standards and allow youth to earn high school credits, and they will be provide with treatment programs for substance use, anger management if needed, classes that address life skills and encourage youth to make health choices, learn how to find employment and housing as adults, and several other programs. All of the supplied meals are healthy and based upon the nutritional requirements of the juveniles, also providing a snack in the evening, and their laundry is done regularly. All care for the juveniles fall to the staff and the facility itself, and they work towards reducing recidivism and providing a positive and safe environment for however long they remain in custody. Mail: 616 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38105 Mail is permitted to be sent and received each week, with all incoming mail being inspected for contraband, with adult content and discussions of illegal activity not being permitted in the facility. Phones: Dayrooms and common areas have phones so each of the housing units will have access to phones to contact their parents or guardians during free hours at the end of the day. Visitation: Only approved visitors, most commonly parents and guardians, are permitted to visit at least once each week, during the visiting hours they are provided by the facility.

Phone: 901-222-5267

Physical Address:
616 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105

Other Jails and Prisons

How Do You Find Someone in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

To search for an inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 901-222-5267 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a Shelby County offender's Criminal Court Case online, or any offender that was arrested in the state of Tennessee.

Tennessee also keeps a public database of all their felony offenders.

Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Inmate Search

The Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center maintains an average of 135 offenders in custody on any given day. The Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Shelby County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 107,300 offenders.

The following charts of Shelby County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Shelby County Corrections Department, the state of Tennessee Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Shelby County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Shelby County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

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Recent Bookings & Arrests

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center, call the jail’s booking line at 901-222-5267.

There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status.

Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours.

If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online.

Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Booking Roster

What happens during booking in Shelby County?

After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Shelby County for booking.

Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

What is the booking process like at the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Shelby County and other Tennessee and USA jurisdictions.

If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse.

It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

What kind of questions are asked during booking?

The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs.

What happens to an offender’s personal property during booking?

During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member.

Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed.

What happens after booking?

At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release.

If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel.

Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

How long does the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Booking process take?

Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender.

If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable.

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Directions / Map to the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center
Inmate Bail and Bonding

Does Shelby County have bail?

Yes,  Shelby County recognizes most types of bonds.

What kind of bonds are accepted in Shelby County? 

Shelby County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

Who can set bail in Shelby County?

Bail is set by a magistrate or judge.

When is bail set in Tennessee?

Bail is set during the defendant’s first court hearing, also known as a bail hearing. This court appearance will be scheduled within 72 hrs. of arrest not counting weekends or holidays.

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Inmate Visitation

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center? What is the Schedule?

Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center ON-SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE

616 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
901-222-5267

  • Visits are 30 minutes.
  • You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
  • The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 901-222-5267 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
  • Inmates are allowed one visit per week.
  • A maximum of 2 guests are allowed per inmate.
  • Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
  • Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

ON SITE VISITATION SCHEDULE - ALWAYS CALL 901-222-5267 TO CONFIRM VISITATION SCHEDULE!

DAY TIMES
SUNDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
MONDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
TUESDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
WEDNESDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
THURSDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
FRIDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM
6:00PM - 8:00PM
SATURDAY 9:00AM - 11:00AM
2:00PM - 4:00PM

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Remote Video Visitation

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Inmate Money Accounts

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Inmate Phone Contact

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Mailing an Inmate

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I send them?

Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope. 

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
616 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105



Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
616 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105



Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center standards will be disposed of. 
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
616 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Inmate Commissary

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Texting and Emailing an Inmate

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Inmate Tablets

Do Inmates in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 901-222-5267 for further assistance.

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Are there photos of the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center? What does it look like?
Other Jails in Shelby County

What are the other City and County Jails in Shelby County?

Shelby County County Jails
Shelby County City Jails
Shelby County Juvenile Facilities
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Other Jails Nearby

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Shelby County?

Shelby Crittenden Marshall DeSoto Fayette Tipton
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Search for an Inmate in Shelby County

This facility, known as "Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center" is also known as Shelby County Juvenile Detention Ctr, Shelby County Juvenile Detention Ctr, Tennessee, Shelby.