2021 Tennessee Code
Title 41 - Correctional Institutions and Inmates
Chapter 4 - Jails and Jailers
§ 41-4-142. Charging Inmates for Issued Items

Universal Citation: TN Code § 41-4-142 (2021)
  1. Any county or municipality may, by resolution or ordinance adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its legislative body, establish and implement a plan authorizing the jail or workhouse administrator of the county or municipality to charge an inmate committed to that jail or workhouse a fee, not to exceed the actual cost, for items issued to inmates upon each new admission to jail.

  2. Any county or municipality may, by resolution or ordinance adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its legislative body, establish and implement a plan authorizing the jail or workhouse administrator of the county or municipality to charge an inmate committed to that jail or workhouse a nominal fee set by the legislative body at the time of adoption for the following special services, when provided at the inmate's request:

    1. Participation in GED(R) or other scholastic testing for which the administering agency charges a fee for each test administered;

    2. Escort by correctional officers to a hospital or other health care facility for the purpose of visiting an immediate family member who is a patient at the facility; or

    3. Escort by correctional officers for the purpose of visiting a funeral home or church upon the death of an immediate family member.

  3. A plan adopted pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) may authorize the jail or workhouse administrator to deduct the amount from the inmate's jail trust account or any other account or fund established by or for the benefit of the inmate while incarcerated. Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing a county or municipality to deny necessary clothing or hygiene items or to fail to provide the services specified in subsection (b) based on the inmate's inability to pay a fee or costs.
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.