How to Use the Shelby County Inmate Lookup Tool
The Shelby County Inmate Lookup Tool lives at imljail.shelbycountytn.gov and is maintained by the Sheriff's Office. It is free and open to the public. No account or registration is needed. The tool has two search tabs: one for searching by name and one for searching by a unique identifier. You can use either, but most people start with the name tab. Results appear as a paginated list showing up to 30 names at a time, with columns for inmate name, booking number, permanent ID, date of birth, and release date. Click any row to open the full inmate profile.
- Go to imljail.shelbycountytn.gov/IML in any web browser.
- Select the "Search by Name" tab and type the last name, or add a first name to narrow results.
- Optionally enter a date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format to filter matches.
- Check "Include released inmates" if you want records of people who have been released.
- Press Enter or click the search button. A results list appears with up to 30 rows per page.
- Click a row to open that person's full inmate profile with housing, bond, detainer, and alias data.
If a name search returns too many results, switch to the unique-identifier tab, pick an identifier type from the dropdown, and enter the number. That approach works best when you already have a booking number or permanent ID from a prior visit or from court paperwork.
The Sheriff's jail and inmate information page at shelby-sheriff.org gives additional context on facility operations, accreditation, and current jail programs.
The Sheriff's Office official site is the authoritative source for jail information in Shelby County.
The Inmate Lookup Tool displays search results in a paginated table; click any row to see the full inmate profile with housing and bond details.
Search by Name or Unique Identifier
The Shelby County Inmate Lookup Tool offers two search paths. The name path takes a first name, last name, and optional date of birth. The identifier path takes a dropdown selection and a value field. Both paths include an "Include released inmates" checkbox that, when unchecked, limits results to people currently in custody. The table below lists every field the portal exposes, drawn from a direct inspection of the tool on May 26, 2026.
| Field Label | Type | Required | Notes / Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search by Name (tab) | Tab / section | No | Option 1: enter first and/or last name. |
| First Name | Text | Optional | Can search by last name only; first name narrows results. |
| Last Name | Text | Optional | A last-name-only search works; confirmed with live test. |
| Date of Birth | Text / date | Optional | Format MM/DD/YYYY; helps filter common names. |
| Include released inmates | Checkbox | Optional | Unchecked by default; check to see recently released individuals. |
| Search by Unique Identifier (tab) | Tab / section | No | Option 2: select identifier type, enter value. |
| Select Identifier (dropdown) | Dropdown | Optional | Options: Booking Number (PIN), Permanent Number (PCP), State ID (SID). |
| Value | Text | Optional | Enter the number matching the selected identifier type. |
| Include released inmates (identifier tab) | Checkbox | Optional | Same released-inmate toggle, duplicated on the identifier tab. |
Note: The default state of the released-inmate checkbox is unchecked, so a standard search only returns people currently held in the Shelby County Jail.
Reading a Shelby County Inmate Profile
Once you click a row in the results list, a full profile page opens. It is dense. The profile covers physical description, identifiers, current housing location, and legal status including bond and detainers. The table below maps each visible field to what it actually means, based on a direct inspection of a live profile on May 26, 2026. Not every field will have data for every person; some fields may be blank or redacted.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Name | Full legal name as entered at booking. |
| Sex | Sex recorded at booking. |
| DOB | Date of birth; used to confirm identity. |
| Height | Height in feet and inches from intake. |
| Weight | Weight in pounds from intake. |
| Hair Color | Hair color noted at booking. |
| Hair Length | Hair length category from intake record. |
| Eye Color | Eye color noted at booking. |
| Complexion | Skin complexion as recorded at intake. |
| Booking # | Unique booking number (PIN) assigned at intake; changes each booking. |
| Race | Race as recorded at booking. |
| Permanent ID # | Permanent identifier (PCP) that stays the same across multiple bookings. |
| Ethnicity | Ethnicity category from intake record. |
| State ID | State Identification (SID) number; may be blank if not yet assigned. |
| Marital Status | Marital status as provided at intake. |
| Citizen | Citizenship status recorded at booking. |
| Country of Birth | Country where the individual was born. |
| Current Housing Section | The general housing section within the facility. |
| Current Location | Location code, e.g., JMS for the main downtown jail. |
| Current Housing Block | The specific pod or block within the housing section. |
| County | County of jurisdiction for the booking. |
| Current Housing Cell | Cell number within the block. |
| Current Housing Bed | Specific bed assignment within the cell. |
| Commitment Date | Date the individual was committed to custody on this booking. |
| Alias Information | Table of known aliases: last name, first name, middle name. |
| Detainer Information | Table of any detainers: complaint number, complaint date, issued by, set by. |
| Bond Information | Case number, bond amount, percent, additional amount, total, bond type, status, posted by, post date, and grand total. |
| Hearing Information | Upcoming hearings; displays a message if none are scheduled. |
Social Security numbers do not appear on the public profile. The State ID field was blank on the sample profile inspected. Mugshots were not displayed in that inspection either, though the profile structure includes a mugshot area.
Booking Numbers and Permanent IDs
Two numbers follow a person through the Shelby County Jail system. The booking number, labeled PIN in the search dropdown, is assigned fresh at each new booking. A person booked multiple times will have a different booking number each time. The permanent number, labeled PCP, stays tied to that individual across every booking. Think of the booking number as the receipt for one specific arrest and the permanent number as the person's long-term file with the jail.
The State ID, labeled SID, is a statewide identifier assigned by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. It links county jail records to any state criminal history. If the SID field is blank on a profile, the number may not yet have been assigned or may be restricted. For searches where you already know a number from court paperwork, use the "Search by Unique Identifier" tab and pick the right type from the dropdown before entering the value. Entering a booking number in the permanent-number field will not return results.
The Sheriff's jail information page explains the overall jail structure and is the best place to check for updates to the lookup system or facility policies.
The Sheriff's jail and inmate information page covers the official census figures, facility addresses, accreditation status, and jail reform programs run at both adult facilities.
Bond, Detainers, and Hearings
The inmate profile shows bond and detainer information that is often the first thing a family member needs. Bond data lists the case number, the bond amount, the percentage posted if a surety bond was used, and the current bond status. A grand total line shows the combined financial obligation. If bond has been posted, the date and posting party appear as well.
A detainer is a separate hold placed on an inmate by another jurisdiction or agency. The Shelby County Inmate Lookup shows the complaint number, complaint date, the agency that issued the detainer, and who set it. Detainers can delay release even after local charges are resolved, because the inmate must be transferred to the detaining jurisdiction. If a profile shows a detainer, the listing agency or court is the right contact for details on that hold.
The hearing section shows whether any upcoming court dates are logged in the jail system. A blank hearing section does not always mean no court date exists; it means the jail management system has not recorded one yet. Always confirm court dates directly with the relevant clerk. For criminal court dates in Shelby County, the Criminal Justice System portal and the General Sessions Criminal Court records are separate from the jail lookup. Check those with the Criminal Court Clerk at 201 Poplar Avenue or through General Sessions at 201 Poplar, Suite LL-81.
Shelby County Jail Facilities
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr. oversees two adult jail facilities and one youth facility. The two adult facilities together carry an average daily census of about 2,600 inmates. Yearly bookings average 56,000. Both facilities are accredited by the American Correctional Association. The Tennessee Corrections Institute re-certified the jail on December 3, 2025. Male inmates are housed downtown. Women are held at a separate east Memphis facility. The Youth Justice and Education Center at 3420 Old Getwell Road is operated by Shelby County Corrections, not the adult jail division.
A major infrastructure project is underway at the downtown facility. As of the latest Sheriff's report, 368 of 636 cell doors at 201 Poplar have been replaced under a phased program, and 18 of 30 housing pods have been upgraded. The total investment is $6.2 million, funded in part through federal ARPA funds, with work starting in early 2025 and projected to complete within two years. The women's facility at Jail East already has a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in place; the MAT program is also planned for 201 Poplar.
Youth Justice and Education Center
3420 Old Getwell Road
Memphis, TN
Operated by Shelby County Corrections
Note: Phone numbers for each facility are listed on the Sheriff's official jail page, which is the best source for current contact details and any operational changes.
Visitation Rules for Shelby County Inmates
The Sheriff's visitation and prohibited-items page sets out what visitors must bring, how to dress, and what they cannot carry in. Bring a state driver's license or a federal ID. No other form of identification is accepted. Lockers are available at the entrance for items you cannot bring inside; each locker costs 50 cents in quarters. The Sheriff's Office is not responsible for items left in lockers.
| Rule Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ID required | State driver's license or federal ID only. |
| Dress code | No transparent, excessively tight, short, provocative, or overly layered clothing. No obvious gaps or exposures. No clothing with sexual, gang, drug, violence, obscene, or security-threatening slogans or symbols. |
| Prohibited items | Food, drinks, tobacco and smoking products, purses, umbrellas, and all electronic devices including pagers, smart watches, and cellphones. |
| Lockers | Available for prohibited items; cost 50 cents in quarters. SCSO is not responsible for items left in lockers. |
| Professional visitation | Attorneys and other professional visitors may visit jail inmates seven days a week during non-lockdown hours with no time restriction. |
Specific visitation hours by housing unit were not published in the official sources available at the time of research. Contact the Sheriff's Office or check the Sheriff's website for the current schedule before planning a visit, as hours can vary by facility and housing classification.
The official prohibited-items page is the place to confirm dress code details and any rule updates before your visit to the downtown jail or Jail East.
Inmate Deposits and Money
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated inmate deposit page at shelby-sheriff.org for putting money into an inmate's account. The deposit page explains the accepted vendors and methods. Depositing money lets the inmate buy items from the jail commissary, pay for phone time, and cover other allowable purchases.
Specific deposit fees, vendor names, and processing times were not captured in the official sources inspected for this page. Rates and vendors change, and the Sheriff's inmate deposit page is the right source for current information. Do not use unofficial or third-party guides for deposit instructions; use the Sheriff's own page to avoid sending funds to the wrong vendor or account.
The inmate deposit page on the Sheriff's website lists the approved methods and vendors for adding funds to an inmate's account at either Shelby County facility.
Contacting a Shelby County Inmate
The Sheriff's contact-an-inmate page covers approved ways to reach someone in custody at the Shelby County Jail. Inmates may receive mail and phone calls, and video visitation may also be available. Exact rules for mail addressing, letter content, photos, and approved items change periodically, so always check the Sheriff's page for the current policy before sending anything.
Phone calls from the jail connect through a third-party telecommunications vendor. The vendor sets call rates and account setup procedures. Those details are on the contact-an-inmate page. The Sheriff's Office does not set phone call pricing, so questions about call costs go to the vendor directly. Video visits, if offered, are scheduled through a separate booking system; check the Sheriff's site for the current provider and scheduling process.
The contact-an-inmate page on the Sheriff's site gives current mail rules, phone account information, and video visitation details for Shelby County inmates.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Floyd Bonner, Jr. operates all adult jail functions in the county. The office is responsible for booking, classification, housing, inmate programs, transportation, and release. The Sheriff's website at shelby-sheriff.org is the single best starting point for jail-related questions in Shelby County. It links the inmate lookup tool, the warrant search, visitation rules, inmate deposit, and contact-an-inmate pages in one place.
The Sheriff's homepage links every public-facing jail service, from the inmate roster to warrant searches and visitation rules.
- PREA hotline for sexual misconduct, harassment, or assault: 901-222-4781.
- Mental health staff are available for crisis care 365 days a year.
- The jail holds ACA accreditation and was TCI re-certified December 3, 2025.
- Active jail programs include HopeWorks HiSet, Inside Circle, Final Escape, Urban Family Ministries, The Warrior Project, TCAT vocational training, and IN2Work by ARAMARK.
Jail Programs and Reentry in Shelby County
The Sheriff's jail page lists a set of active programs aimed at reducing recidivism and preparing inmates for release. These programs run at one or both adult facilities. From 2023 to 2025, 51 inmates passed the HiSet high school equivalency exam across both facilities. More than 100 people have graduated from the Final Escape mentoring and reentry program run by Life Together Inc. Urban Family Ministries issued 40 certificates in anger management and parenting since 2023.
Inside Circle at 201 Poplar is a peer-facilitated violence-intervention program that has served 33 participants since 2023. The Warrior Project launched in 2025. TCAT vocational training had 10 participants with two certifications earned in 2025. The ARAMARK IN2Work workforce program enrolled 15 participants in 2025. The MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) program runs at Jail East and is planned for the downtown facility.
These programs matter for reentry planning. Family members of inmates can ask jail staff about program availability and enrollment. For people who have already been released, see the released inmates page for information on reentry resources, VINELink notifications, and the state TDOC lookup.
Released Inmates and the Checkbox
The Inmate Lookup Tool covers recently released inmates when the "Include released inmates" checkbox is selected. By default the box is unchecked, and the search only returns people currently in Shelby County custody. When you check the box and search, the results list adds a Release Date column. That column shows when the person left custody on that booking.
For a more complete picture of release history, including state prison releases and parole status, visit the released inmates page. It covers VINELink notifications through the Tennessee SAVIN system, the TDOC Felony Offender Information Lookup for state prison records, and the federal Bureau of Prisons locator for federal inmates. Those systems are separate from the county jail roster and cover different populations.
If a person's profile shows a release date but you need to confirm the current status, call the Sheriff's Office or use TN SAVIN toll-free at (888) TNVINE1. The SAVIN number is (888) 868-4631. That line serves victims and families who need real-time custody notifications for Shelby County Jail and TDOC inmates.
When to Call the Jail Directly
The online lookup tool is the fastest way to check current custody status, but it does not replace a phone call in several situations. Call the Sheriff's Office directly if the profile is missing and you believe the person was just booked, since new bookings may not appear in the online system right away. Call if you need to verify a release date that shows in the system but the person has not yet been located. Call if a detainer is listed and you need to know which agency holds it and what the process is for the inmate to be transferred.
The general Sheriff's Office number and jail contact information are on the Sheriff's jail page. If the matter involves a warrant rather than a current booking, the SCSO Fugitive Bureau handles those questions at 222-5627. Active warrants are searched through a separate tool at warrant records, not the inmate lookup.
Privacy and Restrictions on Inmate Data
Inmate roster data is public in Tennessee. There is no law that makes a county jail's booking list confidential. The information in the Shelby County Inmate Lookup Tool is provided by the Sheriff's Office as a public record. That said, the data has limits. Social Security numbers are not displayed. Some fields may be blank or pending. The lookup is a point-in-time snapshot, and a profile may not update the moment a person is booked, transferred, or released.
The jail roster is not a consumer report. Using roster data for employment screening, housing decisions, credit decisions, or tenant background checks is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FCRA requires you to use a licensed consumer reporting agency for those purposes. The Sheriff's free public lookup is not an FCRA-compliant source for those uses. If you need criminal history for a background check, contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or a licensed agency.
For the underlying criminal court case tied to a booking, check arrest records or contact the Criminal Court Clerk at 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3034. For broader jail population data and demographic breakdowns, visit inmate population. For active warrants, search through warrant records.