Unicoi County Jail
Unicoi County Jail
Need information about an inmate? Call the 100-bed Unicoi County Jail at 423-743-1864 any time, day or night, or look them up with the inmate search tool.
This jail is where people arrested in the county for misdemeanors and felonies are taken for booking and processing. Some are released after posting bond or on their own recognizance. Others are held until their trial is decided.
If convicted and sentenced to less than a year, an inmate serves the time here. A sentence longer than a year means a transfer to the Tennessee State Prison System or the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Use this page to find the visitation schedule and policies, send money to an inmate, write a letter, set up inmate phone calls and voicemail, email or text, rent a tablet, post a bail bond, or buy commissary.
Save the booking number or jail ID once you have it, as it’s required for most correspondence. If the online roster doesn’t show it, call Unicoi County Jail at 423-743-1864.
Inmate Services
Other Jails and Prisons
To search for an inmate in the Unicoi County Jail, 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 423-743-1864 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up a Unicoi 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.
Unicoi County Jail Inmate Search
The Unicoi County Jail maintains an average of 100 offenders in custody on any given day. The Unicoi County Jail 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 Unicoi County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 3,680 offenders.
The following charts of Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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 Unicoi 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.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessThe 100-bed Unicoi County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Unicoi County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.
The Unicoi County Sheriff's Department, the law enforcement agency who runs the jail, keeps men and women offenders in different buildings at their jail location, at the corner of Jackson Love Highway and Guinn Lane, right next door to Tennessee Abrasive in Erwin, Tennessee.
There are a total of 62 beds for males and 38 beds for females. It should be noted that the male inmate building is always overcrowded, often by as much as 50% beyond their rated capacity, while the female building almost always have fewer inmates than it it has the room for.
The jail serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.
If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 423-743-1864, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.
Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.
Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.
The Unicoi County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.
Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.
Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.
Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.
Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.
All personal mail is sent to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.
Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
- Jail (Main): 423-743-1864
- Sheriff: 423-743-1864
What happens during booking at Unicoi County Jail?
After arrest, individuals are processed at Unicoi County Jail, where they undergo a series of steps that determine their charges and whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, allowed to post bail, or held until their court date.
The first rule for anyone arrested is to remain silent. Anything they say can be used in court, so it’s best to speak only to an attorney about the incident.
Here are the typical stages of the booking process at Unicoi County Jail:
- Verifying the person’s identity.
- Taking mugshots.
- Questions regarding medical and mental health history, along with drug and gang affiliations.
- Collecting DNA if necessary.
- Conducting a physical search.
- Confiscating personal belongings.
- Providing a phone call.
If you need details about an offender’s bail or bond, contact the facility at 423-743-1864.
How do you post bail in Unicoi County?
If someone is taken to Unicoi County Jail in Erwin for booking, the next steps depend on their case:
1. The individual may be released without bail, under a promise to appear at a court hearing.
2. They could be held in custody until their trial.
3. They may post a bail or bond for release. To find out the exact bail amount, call 423-743-1864.
Bail payments can be handled in various ways.
- Cash bonds are paid in full, normally at the jail's bonding window or with the clerk of court, by cash, cashier's check or money order, and card payments are often possible through a kiosk in the lobby or an online vendor for a convenience fee; have the inmate's full name and booking number ready, and reach the jail at 423-743-1864.
- Licensed bail bond agents in Unicoi County can facilitate payment.
- Property bonds are available in many courts: an owner may pledge land or a home after proving clear title and equity of at least the bond amount (often double) with the deed and a recent tax or appraisal figure, and the court that set bail decides whether to accept it.
For a comprehensive guide to the bail process in Unicoi County, Tennessee, visit the Unicoi County Jail Bail FAQ page.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Visit an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail? What is the Schedule?
Unicoi County Jail on-site Inmate Visitation Schedule
1570 Jackson Love Highway
Erwin, TN 37650
423-743-1864
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Proper attire is required. No low-cut blouses, tank tops, short skirts or dresses, tight shorts, hats or any other form of provocative dress will be allowed. Shirt and shoes must be worn.
- All visitors must provide proper state or government issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, foreign id or passports) for inmate visitation.
- On Site video visitation is available at no cost.
- A video visit lasts 20 minutes.
- Visitors may only use this system on the inmates assigned visitation day, whenever the inmates have free time.
- All rules set forth for non-contact visitation shall be adhered to when using the video visitation system.
- Any lewd, profane or inappropriate behavior shall result in loss of video visitation privileges for the visitor and/or inmate.
- Each inmate is permitted a maximum of three on site visitors per session.
- Visitation sign-up is limited and on a first-come first serve basis.
- Visitors are encouraged to go online and reserve a visitation time. Purchased visitation minutes are not transferable.
- An adult must accompany all visitors who are under 17 years of age. Children must be monitored at all times.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring any personal belongings with them into the visitation area other than their picture ID and/or a set of keys unless otherwise allowed by the jail.
ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION - * NOTE: Each inmate is assigned one day a week for on-site visits. Check with them for their specific day, then book a time online with Inmate Sales.
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| MONDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 9:00AM - 6:00PM |
Unicoi County Jail Remote Inmate Video Visitation
- First, you must register with Inmate Sales, and then schedule a visit.
- Each inmate is allowed an unlimited amount of visits per day. Remote visitation is $0.20 per minute.
- Remote Visits are $0.20 per minute.
REMOTE VIDEO VISITATION
| DAY | TIMES |
| SUNDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| MONDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| TUESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| THURSDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| FRIDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| SATURDAY | 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
Unicoi County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Unicoi County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail?
Unicoi County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales, also known as Combined Public Communication (CPC) for visitation communication between inmates and their friends and family members.
In order to have a successful video visit, these are the steps to follow:
- Make sure you have a device a speaker, a camera and a connection to the internet.
- Register with Inmate Sales.
- Find Unicoi County Jail
- Select 'New Purchase'
- Choose this facility and a product ('Remote' or 'Onsite' Visit)
- Enter your personal information and purchase minutes.
- Schedule a visit.
Call 877-998-5678 if you have any questions.
iphone app
Google Play app
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail?
The Unicoi County Jail uses a company called the Tennessee Business Enterprise (TBE) for depositing money into an inmate's account.
In order to deposit money online using TBE you will first need to register with your personal information.
- Name and Address
- Date of Birth
- Phone Number (they will need to call or text to verify it)
- Driver's License or other ID
- Credit or Debit Card
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail?
How Do Inmates in Unicoi County Jail Make Phone Calls?
To receive phone calls from inmates in Unicoi County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:
- Unicoi County Jail uses the services of a company named Inmate Sales.
- Register with them online or call them at 877-998-5678.
- Agents are available M-F from 8:00 AM - 12:00 midnight EST, Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, and speak both English & Spanish.
- Services for Unicoi County inmates and their families and friends include: Collect Calling, PIN Debit, Purchasing Calling Cards, Deposits, Messaging & Video Visitation.
For all the information regarding phone calls with Unicoi County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, limits and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow do I Mail an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail, and what can I send them?
Unicoi County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines
Postcards
Ask the Unicoi County Jail whether it accepts postcards, and what size and type, before mailing one. Always include your name and return address.
Envelopes
The Unicoi County Jail 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:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
Legal Mail
Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
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
Ask the Unicoi County Jail whether books can be mailed in, and whether they must come straight from a publisher or retailer such as Amazon, Barnes & 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 Unicoi County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Ask the Unicoi County Jail whether hardcover books are accepted.
All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
Unicoi County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Unicoi County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Unicoi County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID#
Unicoi County Jail
1570 Jackson Love Highway
PO Box 8
Erwin, TN 37650
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessCan I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail, and what can I purchase?
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessHow Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Unicoi County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?
Unicoi County Jail uses the services of Inmate Sales to allow text messaging communication between inmates and their friends and family.
Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
This product allows inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
Here's how it works:
- First you must register, and then funds are added to the inmate's account. If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- When an inmate gets the device they may send 5 free automated messages each day for the first three days of possession of the chirping device.
- These automated messages will inform the person the inmate Chirped who is sending the Chirps and the facility they are Chirping from.
- It will then ask them to go to a direct link to the inmate's account on the Inmate Sales website.
- The website will then instruct them to use a credit card to put money on the inmate's account.
Cost of Chirping:
- If an inmate has available funds on their chirping device they will be able to chirp any cell phone and that chirp will appear to be a normal text.
- If you wish to stop receiving Chirps from an inmate, reply to the Chirp with STOP.
How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Unicoi County
To send a secure email message to an inmate in Unicoi County Jail follow these steps:
- Register with Inmate Sales, the company that handles inmate messaging in Unicoi County, by creating an account.
- Select Tennessee, then select Unicoi County Jail, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
- Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
- If you want to pay by phone, call 877-998-5678.
- NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.
- Chirping is the product name for inmate texting.
- This product allows Unicoi County inmates to send chirps (texts) to friends and family members.
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Inmate Sales Apps
iphone app
Google Play app
For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Unicoi County Jail check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Unicoi County.
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessDo Inmates in the Unicoi County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?
Unicoi County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
- Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
- eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture.
- Job Search - Inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
- Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources.
- Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
- Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
- Law Library - Legal research with up-to-date case information.
- eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
- Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
- Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
- Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
Unicoi County Jail now offers Inmate Sales Tablets to their inmates.
Inmate Sales also handles inmate phone systems, video visitations, email and texting (they call it chirping) and digital letters.
The tablets are not directly connected to the internet, and inmates can use them for the following activities:
Here's how it works:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome or Firefox.
Questions:
- By phone - 877-998-5678
We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Unicoi County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 423-743-1864 for further assistance.
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other City and County Jails in Unicoi County?
Unicoi County County Jails
Unicoi County Juvenile Facilities
⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show lessWhat are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Unicoi County?
This facility, known as "Unicoi County Jail" is also known as Unicoi County Jail - Male and Female Jails, Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff, Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff , Unicoi County Jail & Sheriff , Tennessee, Unicoi.