Inmate Health Care

The Tennessee Department of Correction has the responsibility for providing medical, mental health, dental and vision services to people incarcerated in Tennessee prisons. All inmates are afforded access to health care services. Upon arrival from local county jails, inmates are provided a health orientation. Procedures to access health care services after arrival are provided and outlined in the TDOC Inmate Handbook. Each inmate receives a copy of the inmate handbook specific to the prison they are arriving at. With each transfer to a different prison, a different prison specific handbook is provided upon arrival.

At each prison, trained professionals work hand in hand with security and other staff to ensure the health, safety and well being of the inmate population. The department's treatment model is a multi-disciplinary approach that includes physicians, nurses, dentists, ophthalmologists, psychiatrists, psychological examiners, social workers and other professionally trained staff.

Clinical Services is organized into the Offices of Health Services and Behavioral Health Services. For more information about inmate health care and treatment, visit the other links provided below.

Prior to release, Case Management will assist in creating a personalized care plan.  This care plan will provide inmates with valuable resources such as follow up appointments for medical and behavioral health, insurance information, clinics, food banks, job resources and more.