Henderson Co. woman accused of sexual contact with inmate

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A Henderson County woman is charged with sexual contact with an inmate.

Tammy Melson

“They were calling each other baby, honey, beautiful,” Capt. Tracey Grisham with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department said.

Henderson County Deputies said Tammy Melson was a volunteer with the jail’s service program, which allows inmates to travel outside the jail on work release.

Grisham said it’s not unusual for approved inmates to be sought out for community service projects.

Investigators said Melson was claiming to use inmates to help restore a community center in Reagan.

The building sits about two miles from Melson’s home, where deputies believe she was taking the inmates and developed a sexual relationship with one of them.

“She did admit to other things that she could not explain — why they would be at her house,” Capt. Grisham said. “She couldn’t explain why she would carry an inmate to her home alone.”

Melson told investigators she brought more than one inmate to her home on several occasions. Grisham said evidence led investigators to believe Melson and the inmate took their relationship beyond the bedroom.

They said she would send money for his commissary and buy the inmate gifts.

“They were telling each other they loved each other,” Grisham said.

The inmate was given credit for the time he was allegedly working at the community center. Deputies said they are trying to determine a way to revoke the credits.

No charges are expected to be filed against the inmate. However, investigators said this could impact his parole eligibility.

The inmate was transferred to a state prison last week. Melson was released on bond Friday morning, according to jail records.

Our attempts to reach Melson for comment were not successful.