You can support your loved ones at Rhea Co Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 423-775-7837.
When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.
The Rhea Co Jail is a detention center located at 7800 Rhea County Hwy Dayton, TN which is operated locally by the Rhea County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Rhea County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Dayton Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.
New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.
You can see all the arrest records for Tennessee here.
The Rhea County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for maintaining the Rhea County Jail. The corrections staff process all inmates arrested in Rhea County at this facility. When Sheriff Mike Neal was elected in 2002, the jail was authorized to house 54 inmates. By 2009, through the addition of two wings, the jail's capacity increased to 87 inmates. Sheriff Neal recognized the need to alleviate overcrowding and petitioned for a new facility. Due to budget constraints, the county commission instead authorized an expansion of the existing facility, which included the construction of two new wings and a "sally port" for secure loading and unloading of prisoners.
All corrections staff at the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department are certified by the State of Tennessee and trained for daily interactions, processing, and housing of inmates. When someone is arrested and brought to the jail, they are transported through the secure "sally port" and taken to the booking area. They are either immediately booked or placed in a holding cell if the booking area is occupied. Inmates are allowed to make a phone call to a family member or friend at that time. If a bond is set and the inmate wishes to post bond, they are provided with a list of qualified bondsmen and allowed to contact the bonding company of their choice.
Possessions of inmates are removed, tagged, and stored in a secure property area until their release. If an inmate has money, it is deposited in a secure account called the inmate trust fund and returned to them as a check upon release, requiring the inmate's signature to maintain documentation. The jail currently houses 100 to 120 inmates on average, including those serving local sentences, those unable to post bond, and individuals serving state-ordered time for felony charges. Medical care is provided by the jail physician, with co-pays required for doctor visits and prescriptions.
The current administrator of corrections is Cpt. Melba Huffman, is a lifelong resident of Rhea County with 15 years of experience in corrections. She began her career in 1994 at the Rhea County Juvenile Detention Center before transferring to the Rhea County Jail. She was promoted to Jail Lieutenant in 1998 and now serves as the first female Chief Corrections Officer in Rhea County, a position she holds as the department celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Rhea County Jail in 2009.
Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.
Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.
After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.
The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.
The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.
Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.
Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.
The work release program, which began full-time in March 2007, serves 8 to 12 inmates who work in the local community while being housed at the jail. Inmates pay a fee of $15 per day for the privilege of participating, generating approximately $35,000 in revenue for the county each year. Only those sentenced to the program by a judge qualify. Inmates in the program must pay all fines, fees, restitution, and child support as ordered, providing receipts weekly to the program supervisor. They must also furnish check stubs or employer statements weekly to verify hours worked and pay rates. Work-release inmates are subject to random drug and alcohol screens and must abide by all jail rules.
