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Want to learn about the Shelby County Jail?

If you or someone you love is headed to Shelby County Jail, you might be wondering what to expect. Going to jail can be scary, especially if you have never been before. While we can't promise that jail will be worry free, having the right information can help prepare you for the experience.

We have interviewed former inmates of Shelby County, who have shared their tips and insight to help your jail time go smoother. You can access the interviews by clicking on links to the left. Take a few minutes to read their stories and learn what life is really like inside Shelby County Jail.

Good Time
Due to problems with overcrowding, many jails allow inmates the opportunity to get out earlier than their sentence states. This is called "good time" and is earned through good behavior during your incarceration. Shelby County Jail offers this time off to its inmates. For a misdemeanor sentence (less than a year) you can get as much as half off your time. To be eligible for this, you need to avoid fighting, talking while an officer is speaking to a group, and disorderly conduct.

Food
Shelby County serves three meals a day to inmates. The food is rated as mediocre, or 4 on a scale from 1-10. Complaints about the food include that it isn't well seasoned and it is often cold once it reaches the inmates. If you have money on your books, you can buy snacks from commissary. Having this option can make your time a little bit easier.

Telephones and Visits
Keeping in touch with friends and family on the outside is usually a high priority for inmates. Shelby County allows frequent access to telephones. An unusual feature of this jail is that once you are on the blocks, you can dial out of the jail for free. Phone calls from jail normally cost and arm and a leg, so this is a huge benefit to those who are locked up in Shelby County.

Inmates are allowed to have visitors come on weekends. The check in process for visitors is reportedly lengthy, so if you are visiting, give yourself plenty of time. During your visit, you can expect to sit in a booth type area with glass separating inmate from visitor.

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