Shelby County Criminal Justice Center
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- County Facility
- Security Level
- Pretrial
- Inmate Capacity
- 3,000 approx.
- Established
- 1981
- Operated By
- Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Shelby County Criminal Justice Center Inmate Communication Overview
The Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, commonly known by its address at 201 Poplar Avenue, is the main pretrial detention facility operated by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The building houses both the jail and multiple courtrooms, functioning as a combined criminal court and detention complex. Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and the seat of Shelby County, and the CJC processes a substantial volume of bookings from across the county. The majority of people held at 201 Poplar are awaiting court dates on charges filed in Shelby County courts.
Communication at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center is managed through GTL, which provides phone calls, video visitation, and electronic messaging under the county contract. Families create a GTL account to access all available services. For phone calls, a GTL prepaid account funded with your phone number allows you to receive inmate-initiated calls. Video visits are available remotely through GTL. Electronic messaging through GTL delivers messages digitally within the facility. Commissary deposits can be processed through GTL or AccessCorrections.
Shelby County uses GTL for the county jail, while Tennessee state prisons use JPay and GTL under TDOC contracts, so if someone is convicted and transferred to a Tennessee Department of Correction facility, some account changes may be needed. It is also worth noting that FCI Memphis, the federal prison in Shelby County, uses an entirely different system (CorrLinks and ConnectNetwork). Confirming the specific facility and jurisdiction before setting up accounts prevents funding the wrong platform. The Shelby County inmate search at shelby.tn.gov can help verify current custody status.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Main Phone
(901) 222-4700
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Full Name and Booking Number, Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, 201 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103.
Include the inmate name and ID on all mail.
Visiting Hours
Video visits are scheduled in advance through GTL and require Sheriff approval. Schedule at least a day ahead and confirm the current visit windows with the facility before traveling.
Commissary / Sending Money
Commissary deposits through GTL or AccessCorrections.
Bail / Bond
Bond is set by the court. The Sheriff inmate search shows bond information when a bond has been set. Bonds are posted through the jail or through a licensed bondsman. Call the facility for current posting hours and accepted payment methods.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: GTL
Electronic messaging via GTL. Messages monitored by Shelby County Sheriff's staff.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Physical photo mail subject to Shelby County content restrictions. No digital service.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Fund a GTL prepaid account to receive inmate-initiated calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: GTL
Commissary deposits via GTL or AccessCorrections.
Communication Providers at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
GTL
Primary provider for all Shelby County Criminal Justice Center communication services.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center
- GTL serves the Shelby County CJC. FCI Memphis (federal) uses CorrLinks and ConnectNetwork instead.
- After transfer to a Tennessee state prison, JPay is also needed for messaging and money.
- All calls, messages, and visits are monitored.
- Video visits must be scheduled in advance. Same-day availability is not guaranteed.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shelby County Criminal Justice Center
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I contact someone at 201 Poplar in Memphis?
- All communication services, phone, video, messaging, and money, are through GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app to access all services with a single account.
- How is Shelby County Jail different from FCI Memphis?
- Shelby County Criminal Justice Center is a county jail operated by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. FCI Memphis is a federal Bureau of Prisons facility in a different part of Shelby County. County jail inmates use GTL. Federal inmates at FCI Memphis use CorrLinks for messaging and ConnectNetwork for phone. They are entirely separate systems.
- Can I do a video visit with someone at Shelby County CJC?
- Yes, remote video visits are available through GTL. Log into your GTL account, search for Shelby County Criminal Justice Center, and choose an available slot. Schedule in advance for best availability.
- How do I verify if someone is at the Shelby County CJC?
- The Shelby County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate search online at shelby.tn.gov/sheriff. Searching by name will show current custody status and facility information. You can also call 901-222-4700 to check whether someone is in custody.
- How do I send money to a Shelby County CJC inmate?
- Commissary deposits are made through GTL at telmate.com or through AccessCorrections. You can add funds via debit or credit card or in cash at participating retail locations. Processing typically takes one business day.
- How do I post bond at Shelby County CJC?
- Bond is set by the court. The Sheriff inmate search shows bond information when a bond has been set. Bonds are posted through the jail or through a licensed bondsman. Call the facility for current posting hours and accepted payment methods.
- Can I call an inmate at Shelby County CJC?
- No. Inmates cannot receive incoming calls. They place outgoing calls through the GTL phone system. Create a GTL account so you can receive calls, and keep your phone available.
- What if my loved one is moved to Shelby County Jail East?
- Your GTL account carries over across Shelby County facilities. Confirm the current facility in the Sheriff inmate search before scheduling video visits or sending mail, since the housing location can change after transfer.
- Can I send mail to someone at Shelby County CJC?
- Yes. Include the inmate full name and booking number on the envelope. All mail is inspected for contraband. Do not send cash, contraband, or prohibited items.
- Can I block calls from someone at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center?
- Yes. Contact GTL to block calls from the facility, or block the number through your phone carrier. You can also ask the facility to remove your number from the inmate's approved contact list.
Troubleshooting at Shelby County Criminal Justice Center
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
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