Phone & Video Calls in Tennessee (TDOC)
How calls and tablets work in Tennessee prisons — phone service and tablets provided through ViaPath (GTL) on the ConnectNetwork platform, how families set up an account to receive or fund calls, and how to confirm whether a specific facility offers video visits.
How phone calls work
TDOC provides inmate phone service through ViaPath (formerly GTL) on the ConnectNetwork platform. Calls are placed by the incarcerated person — a person outside cannot call in.
To receive or pay for calls, a family member sets up a prepaid account through ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com, by phone, or via the app. An account can be funded for the called party (AdvancePay), or the incarcerated person can use debit or prepaid call funds.
This arrangement applies to every Tennessee state prison, including the four operated by CoreCivic.
Call recording
Calls are generally monitored and recorded, except properly designated privileged legal calls.
Call rates
Do not rely on a fixed per-minute figure. Rates, fees, and features change. Check ConnectNetwork (web.connectnetwork.com) for current rates and how to open an account.
Tablets, messaging, and email
Tablets are provided through ViaPath. They are used for messaging and secure email, media, and — since November 2025 — receiving scanned personal mail (see the mail guide).
The state pays nothing for the tablet program; costs are borne by users and families.
Video visits
Video-visit availability is set at the facility level rather than as a single statewide program. Confirm with the specific prison whether video visits are offered, which system is used, and how to schedule. The visiting guide covers how visits are arranged.
Sources
This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.