TN DOC - Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (RMSI)

You can support your loved ones at RMSI on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 615-350-3100.

Located at 7475 Cockrill Bend Blvd in Nashville, TN, RMSI carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. RMSI offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

When someone you care about ends up in a state prison, it can be tough to navigate the ins and outs of the system. From figuring out how to stay in touch to understanding what you can do to make their time easier, it can feel overwhelming. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get the lowdown on TN DOC - Riverbend Maximum Security Institution (RMSI) so you can stay connected and support your loved one during their time inside.

Communication is important, the prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

While incarcerated, reading is often the best use of time. Please note that books and magazines, puzzles, and word searches ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. Prisons and jails enforce this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

RMSI serves as a state correctional facility with an operating capacity of 786 inmates, housing male offenders across custody levels ranging from minimum to maximum security. Notably, RMSI is designated to accommodate all of Tennessee's male death row offenders.

Established in 1989, RMSI spans 132 acres and comprises 20 buildings, totaling approximately 320,000 square feet of operational space. It replaced the aging Tennessee State Penitentiary, boasting advanced technological infrastructure, rendering it one of the most modernized prisons in the state.

RMSI offers a range of evidence-based programs tailored to address the rehabilitative needs of its inmate population. Educational opportunities include Adult Basic Education and vocational training such as career management for success and Core Carpentry I & II. Additionally, the institution prioritizes addressing behavioral health concerns through psychotherapy, mental health support services, substance use group therapy, and cognitive behavior intervention programs.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The state prison is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers.

The prison offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

In collaboration with community partners, RMSI extends academic and vocational opportunities, including certifications in Building Construction Technology through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and associate degree programs offered by Nashville State Community College and Lipscomb University. Moreover, the Braille Transcription Program, facilitated by the Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative In Correction (TRICOR), enables offenders to transcribe textbooks into braille and large print for students at the Tennessee School for the Blind, offering certification in braille transcription through the National Library of Congress.

Inmates not engaged in academic or vocational pursuits are assigned to support service roles within the prison, encompassing tasks such as landscaping, janitorial services, and food services, fostering a structured and productive environment for all residents.