MacNeill Law Firm

04/05/2026

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03/09/2026

March sobriety checkpoints

02/18/2026

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06/30/2025

DUI Checkpoints for July

05/07/2025

MAY CHECKPOINTS

05/06/2025

HCSO Utilizing New Vendor for Inmate Visitation, Tablet Usage & Mail Delivery - Important Information for Family & Friends of Inmates

Hamilton County, TN – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will begin utilizing a new vendor, ViaPath, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, who will be responsible for providing inmates with phone services, video visitation, and the use of electronic tablets. This transition provided the Sheriff’s Office an opportunity to make communication more affordable for inmates and their families when compared to the current provider and to comply with new rules set forth by the FCC.

The transition to this new vendor will be a multi-week process and is scheduled to be completed by May 30th. The three primary ways for family and friends to fund new accounts will be online, by phone, or by using ViaPath’s mobile app, ConnectNetwork.
During this transition, an inmate’s family and friends can add money to their account or schedule an online video visit by visiting www.connectnetwork.com and creating a new account.

Additional services can then be accessed by visiting www.gettingout.com.

Once the funds are received, family and friends will be able to add money to an inmate’s account allowing them to fund their phone and tablet usage.

For those who do not have online access, please call toll-free (800) 483-8314 for Advance Pay or (866) 516-0115 for Getting Out.

The address for sending physical mail to inmates has also changed. Moving forward, any family or friends wishing to send physical mail to an inmate must mail the approved items to the new address below:

Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center, Tennessee
Inmate Name & ID Number
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131

In addition to the information above, the sender should legibly include their name and address. Only letters, pictures and drawings should be mailed. Once received, mail will be scanned and digitally delivered to the inmate via their tablet.

03/06/2025

March Checkpoint Enforcement Locations

02/09/2025

February checkpoints

01/03/2025

11/07/2024

Sheriff Austin Garrett is pleased to announce the implementation of a new inmate communication system in the first quarter of 2025 at the Hamilton County Jail & Detention Center. This system, provided by Smart Communications, will introduce significant changes to both the cost and convenience of phone calls and video visitations between inmates and their families.

Following a competitive bidding process that began with a Request for Proposals (RFP) in February 2024, Smart Communications was selected as the new vendor to replace the current provider, Securus. The new system will be fully operational in early 2025, with no cost to the county for the installation and equipment.

Lower Costs for Families

The new system will drastically reduce the financial burden on inmates and their families. The cost of a 15-minute phone call will drop from $2.85 to just 60 cents, while the price of a 15-minute video visit will decrease from $7.50 to $1.50. To further support the families of incarcerated individuals, each inmate will receive two free phone calls and two free video visits per week.

Secure Attorney Communication

In addition to improving communication with family members, the new system will also enhance the security and accessibility of attorney-client communications. A dedicated, secure portal will allow attorneys to communicate with their incarcerated clients, send documents for signature, and receive electronic signatures without having to visit the facility in person. This information is protected by attorney-client privilege, and the HCSO will have no access to it.

“The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is committed to leading the way in correctional services by reducing the financial burden on inmates and their families while continuing to provide secure, efficient communication options. This new system will provide much-needed relief and enhance access to essential legal services,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett

To learn more about Smart Communications and the services they provide, please visit their website at https://www.smartcommunications.us/. A follow-up press release will be issued once all Smart Communications equipment is installed and operational in early 2025; until then, the existing phone, video, and mail processes will remain in place until further notice.