Inmate Telephone Calls

POLICY:
The Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office provides privileged, monitored, and limited telephone usage to inmates under humane conditions while maintaining the security integrity of the facility.

PENOLOGICAL INTEREST:
It is in the penological interest of this facility to provide monitored, limited telephone usage to inmates, in a manner that is consistent with reasonable and necessary security and safety standards, operational controls, and supervision of inmates.

PROCEDURE:
Inmate Telephone Plan:
Inmate access and use of telephones are monitored. During the booking and in-take process inmates are provided the opportunity to make a telephone call prior to being booked. No arrested person may make a phone call if they are being unruly, disorderly, combative or otherwise disruptive to the jail operations. In such a case the inmate will remain secured in the booking area until such time that they are calm enough to cooperate. A free telephone is available for inmate local calls. Inmates may be booked after the phone call is made. Incoming emergency calls to inmates are allowed, once it has been determined that a true emergency exists. In an emergency, inmates are provided with a message or allowed to make a free local return call or long distance call at their own expense.Other limitations of access, such as the hours of telephone access, are posted. Other than during the intake process, all telephone usage is at the expense of the inmate, or the recipient of the call. Telephone privileges may be revoked as a result of a disciplinary action or abuse telephone privileges.