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Ask the Right Office: Tennessee

Pick a problem to see the office, the official rule, the deadlines and who must file. Then fill in a plain-English letter in your browser, print or save it as a PDF, and add a follow-up date to your calendar.

What this page can and can't tell you

Can: Which office to write to and how to put together a clear letter.

Can't: It can't give an official release date, say whether a specific person qualifies, or give legal advice. Only the DOC, the board or a court decides.

A letter doesn't replace the required official grievance form or procedure, and those have deadlines. If you're worried about retaliation, keep copies and dates of everything you send, and tell the person's attorney or a legal aid office if anything changes afterward.

Free legal help: Legal Services Corporation: find legal aid (civil matters). For criminal cases, ask the public defender's office that handled the case.






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Tennessee at a glance

ProblemOfficeDeadline to fileResponse deadline
Time calculation reviewGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.
Credit (good time) disputeGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.
Medical request or complaintGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.
Visit or mail denial appealGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.
Records requestThe records custodian at the agency that keeps the recordNot publishedNot published
Parole fileNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Disability (ADA) accommodationGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.
Transfer or classificationGrievance chairperson (form CR-1394)Within 7 calendar days of the occurrence.Level I: 7 working days.

Grievance rule: TDOC Policy 501.01, Inmate Grievance Procedures (effective 11/02/2022; change notice 02/03/2025) (opens in new tab). Records: Tenn. Code § 10-7-503. Who files a grievance: The inmate.

Not legal advice. Rules change and facilities may add local steps; the official text controls. Missing a deadline can end a claim. Find free legal aid (LSC) (opens in new tab). Last checked .

Other states · Tennessee credit rules · Check a release calculation · Release countdown · What do I do now?

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