Virginia Inmate Search

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) operates about 50 institutions statewide with a capacity to collectively house around 31,000 inmates at any given time; however, state prisons typically have an average daily population of approximately 23,000 inmates. The state also has a substantial number of inmates held in local and regional jails, totaling around 20,000 offenders. Reports indicate that, despite being some of Virginia's least populous areas, Buchanan, Brunswick, Lee, and Dickinson Counties each have incarceration rates of over 1,100 inmates per 100,000 residents – the highest in the state.

Inmate searches in Virginia help locate individuals locked up in the state and obtain crucial information on them, such as their current location, status, and estimated release date. With an inmate search, families, friends, attorneys, and other parties interested in the inmate can maintain contact with them, stay informed about their whereabouts, and get notifications on changes in their status.

What is Virginia Inmate Lookup?

A Virginia inmate lookup typically involves searching for information on individuals locked up in Virginia, whether in state prisons, federal facilities, or local jails. Inmate lookup services are designed to increase transparency within the state's correctional system by offering the public easy access to offender information (in compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act). This access is crucial for those who need to remain connected with an inmate or require updates on their status (such as victims of their crimes).

To this end, you may utilize resources like VINELink to perform inmate searches in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Corrections also provides an Inmate Locator tool that you can utilize to look up inmates locked up in state prisons; this department also offers the option of registering for notifications to stay updated on changes in an inmate's status.

What Information Can You Find in a Virginia Inmate Search?

When you conduct an inmate search in Virginia, you will typically view information like:

• The inmate's full name and aliases (if available)
• The inmate's age, race, and sex
• The inmate's current location
• The inmate's identification number
• The inmate's estimated release date

How Are Inmate Records in Virginia Created and Stored?

Virginia inmate records originate when someone is arrested by local law enforcement. The police department or sheriff's office records the arrest on a RAP sheet which contains the offender's name, address, physical description, mugshot, and crime details. After that, everything that takes place in the inmate's life, including transfers, disciplinary actions, and court hearings, is recorded and the file updated.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is the government agency in charge of keeping and updating inmate records. They maintain a massive database of information kept online and searchable so that the public can perform an inmate lookup and view information on incarcerated individuals anytime.

What Does Virginia's Prison System Look Like?

Virginia's prison system is extensive, comprising state prisons, local and regional jails, and federal prisons. The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) oversees the operation of the state's adult correctional facilities and is responsible for the care, custody, and rehabilitation of approximately 23,000 state-responsible inmates across various facilities. These include 26 major institutions, seven field units, four work centers, and two secure hospital units.

Local and regional jails are managed by local authorities (such as police departments, sheriff's offices, or city/county administrators) with regulatory oversight from the Virginia Board of Local and Regional Jails. These jails typically hold pretrial offenders, individuals sentenced for local ordinance violations or misdemeanor convictions, felons sentenced to 12 months or less, and offenders awaiting a probation/parole revocation hearing – offenders in these jails are generally referred to as "local-responsible inmates". Likewise, federal prisons that house inmates convicted of federal crimes are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) – Virginia is currently home to three of these prisons – USP Lee, FCI Petersburg (Medium), and FCI Petersburg (Low).

Types of Correctional Facilities in Virginia

The state of Virginia has a wide range of correctional facilities, each serving different purposes and accommodating various demographics. These include state prisons that hold state-responsible inmates (offenders who have been sentenced to incarceration for one year or more); these prisons are operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. There is also a state-run juvenile detention facility operated by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice – this facility holds youth offenders under the age of 18. The federal government also has three prison facilities in the state that house inmates convicted of breaking federal laws. Likewise, many Virginia cities and counties also have local and regional jails, which are usually run by local law enforcement (albeit with state oversight).

Virginia State Prisons

Virginia has over 30 state-operated prison facilities, each with varying security levels (an inmate's security level assignment is generally determined by factors like the nature of their offense, the length of sentence, their behavior, and treatment needs). These facilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coffeewood Correctional Center
• Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women
• Greensville Correctional Center
• Lawrenceville Correctional Center
• Lunenburg Correctional Center
• Red Onion State Prison
• St. Brides Correctional Center
• State Farm Correctional Center
• Sussex I State Prison
• Virginia Correctional Center for Women
• Wallens Ridge State Prison

Virginia Local and Regional Jails

Local jails in Virginia typically serve specific cities or counties, while regional jails serve multiple jurisdictions within a specific region. There are currently about 59 local and regional jails across the state, including:

• Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail
• Central Virginia Regional Jail
• Meherrin River Regional Jail
• Fairfax County Adult Detention Center
• Hampton Roads Regional Jail
• Rappahannock Regional Jail
• Western Virginia Regional Jail
• Chesapeake Correctional Center
• Norfolk City Jail
• Richmond City Justice Center
• Piedmont Regional Jail

These jails are managed by local law enforcement authorities, these authorities typically provide information about the jail's activities and operations through their official websites. Some of these websites may also host dedicated portals for conducting a jail inmate search and viewing jail records.

Virginia Juvenile Detention Centers

Virginia has one juvenile correctional center operated by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center) and several local juvenile detention centers managed at the municipal level. These facilities are designed specifically for youth offenders (aged 11 – 18) and typically offer programs designed for their care and rehabilitation, including education, vocational training, counseling, and medical services.

Be aware that juvenile records in Virginia are restricted and a juvenile inmate search may not always provide comprehensive information. Contact the Department of Juvenile Justice or the relevant local juvenile detention center for more information on how to access detailed juvenile records.

Virginia Community Correctional Facilities

Virginia has several community facilities overseen by the state's Department of Corrections as part of its efforts to reduce recidivism among offenders and also support their reintegration into society. These facilities include:

• Brunswick Community Corrections Alternative Program
• Chesterfield Women's Community Corrections Alternative Program
• Appalachian Men's Community Corrections Alternative Program
• Cold Springs Community Corrections Alternative Program
• Harrisonburg Men's Community Corrections Alternative Program

Why are People Incarcerated in Virginia?

People may be incarcerated in Virginia for a broad range of offenses, which are generally categorized into crimes against a person, drug offenses, and property crimes. Crimes against a person are considered violent crimes, and they include offenses like murder, armed robbery, manslaughter, assault, battery, and vehicular homicide, as well as sex offenses. On the other hand, property crimes, such as arson, burglary, shoplifting, and property destruction, as well as certain drug offenses, are considered non-violent crimes.

The penalties for nonviolent crimes typically focus on rehabilitating the offender and ensuring that they do not become repeat offenders; as such, these crimes typically have short jail sentences. In some cases, the offender may be eligible for alternative sentencing options, such as community service or drug treatment programs, instead of incarceration. In contrast, violent offenders typically face harsher penalties, including imprisonment of more than one year (the length of the term is usually directly related to the nature of the crime). These extended sentences serve to protect public safety while offering time for rehabilitative programs to address underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

You may find offenders incarcerated in Virginia using inmate search tools like VINELink and the Virginia Department of Corrections Inmate Locator. Conducting these Virginia inmate searches also lets you access information like the offender's current incarceration status and location.

Virginia's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

There has been a steady decline in Virginia's incarceration rates over the years, with rates dropping by over 12 percent between 2019 and 2020 alone. This reflects the state's efforts to reduce its prison population and implement alternative sentencing and rehabilitation programs.

The table below illustrates Virginia's year-end incarceration rate over a 7-year period:

*figures extrapolated from average male and female daily populations

Life After Incarceration in Virginia

Inmates released from prison in Virginia typically try to reconnect with families or friends and rebuild their lives. To this end, the Virginia Department of Corrections offers incarcerated inmates and individuals under community supervision access to reentry resources, including employment and housing support, public benefits, and other assistance necessary to ensure their smooth transition back into the community. Be aware that eligibility for these programs may vary by inmate.

Virginia's efforts in supporting inmates' reentry into society after incarceration have paid off over the years – the state currently has a recidivism rate of 20.6 percent, one of the lowest in the country. This means that only about one in five offenders are likely to return to prison within three years of their release.

How Does Parole Work in Virginia?

Parole in Virginia is usually available for offenders who meet certain criteria and have demonstrated good behavior during their incarceration. If paroled, these inmates are released (from prison) early but remain under supervision until they complete their full sentence. The decision on whether to grant an inmate parole is made by the Virginia Parole Board; this board typically reviews the individual's behavior, criminal history, and likelihood of successful reintegration into society before deciding.

Once released on parole, individuals are subject to strict conditions, including regular check-ins with a parole officer. Violations of parole conditions can result in the individual being returned to prison to finish serving their sentence. As of 2022, there were approximately 1,770 individuals on parole in Virginia.

Virginia Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in Virginia?

In Virginia, probation may be granted to offenders who are convicted of less severe (usually non-violent) offenses or who are deemed low-risk. Instead of serving time in prison, these individuals are allowed to live in the community under the supervision of a probation officer. Probation is subject to a set of conditions, which may include regular check-ins, drug testing, and participation in treatment programs such as substance abuse counseling or anger management. If the individual fails to adhere to these conditions, they may face subsequent incarceration. As of 2022, approximately 60,640 individuals were on probation in Virginia.

Virginia Probation Population in 2022