Blount Co Jail Visitation Center

Rules & Regulations - To participate in visitation, inmates and visitors must comply with the following rules and procedures:

• An inmate must complete a Visitation Form given to him or her after cell assignment by Corrections Officers in the housing pods. Only those noted on an inmate's Visitation Form might be permitted to visit.
• Inmates must inform their visitor(s) that they must have a current, valid photo identification (such as a driver's license) to visit, and may be subject to search before entering or leaving the facility. Visitors dressed in clothing determined to be inappropriate by staff will not be permitted to visit or will have their visit curtailed and their name removed from the inmate's visitation list.
• On a visitor's first visit, they must complete a Visitor Information Form. The information on this form will be entered into the Sheriff's information system and checked to determine whether the visitor may have any outstanding warrants. Based on the information provided in this form, and the results of any checks made, the visitor may be denied future visitation, or, if checks indicate any outstanding warrants, may be arrested before they depart from the facility.
• Visitors under 18 do not need to be listed on an approved visitation list but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is on the approved list.
• Visitation is limited to one visit per week of one-hour duration. Requests for exceptions and special requests must be forwarded through a Corrections Officer to a Shift Supervisor for approval.
• A Shift Supervisor may extend visits because of distance traveled, past infrequent visits, or other compelling reasons.
• An inmate may not conduct business while in confinement and, therefore may not conduct business in the visitation area. Staff will permit an inmate to assign a power of attorney to protect legitimate business and personal interests while in custody.
• All visits are non-contact and are subject to visual and auditory supervision by staff.
• An attorney visiting area is available in each housing pod to ensure privileged communications between inmates and their attorneys.
• Visiting hours are determined by cell assignment and are not negotiable. It is the inmate's responsibility to notify those on his or her visitation list of the times available for visiting. Legal and other official visits may be scheduled at the Shift Supervisor's discretion.

Visitation is subject to several restrictions to ensure security, safety, and health standards. If there is reasonable suspicion that a visitor may be carrying contraband, a Corrections Officer may conduct a consensual search, though strip searches are prohibited. If a pat search is insufficient to resolve suspicions, the Shift Supervisor may deny the visitor access.

High-risk inmates are allowed visitation as long as it does not jeopardize facility security or violate disciplinary or court-imposed restrictions. Visitation may be disallowed for inmates with a history of violence or disruptive behavior in the visiting area.

Inmates housed in the Health Care Unit who require isolation or have disabilities need approval from health care staff for visits, as there is no dedicated visitation area in the unit. Depending on the severity of the handicap, visits may occur in a specialized area.

Special visits for unapproved visitors, extended visits, or visits on non-visiting days may be authorized by a Shift Supervisor or the Administrator for compelling reasons, including visits from prospective employers, release sponsors, parole advisors, and family.

Inmates may be denied visitation privileges as a disciplinary sanction. Additionally, visitation is subject to the facility's security, safety, and health requirements, affecting staff, volunteers, inmates, and visitors.

Visiting Inmates at Blount County TN Detention Facility

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 Maryville 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 Blount Sheriffs Department. The on-duty supervisor may cancel visits without notice due to circumstances within the jail.