In Virginia, the correctional system is made up of both federal and state-level prisons. The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) oversees 40 state correctional facilities, 6 regional jails, and 11 community corrections offices.
The simplest way to locate an inmate within the Virginia corrections system is by utilizing an inmate lookup service. Inmate lookup services allow for individuals to quickly search and locate inmates within Virginia correctional facilities by providing a few pieces of basic information. This is often the fastest way to find someone in prison.
Inmates in Virginia can be searched through the VADOC's offender search tool, which is available on the VADOC website. The offender search tool provides information on the offender's name, alias, age, race, sex, location, offense, sentence, and release date. This tool is useful for individuals who are interested in locating an inmate in Virginia, including friends and family members, victims, attorneys, and law enforcement officials.
To search for an inmate in Virginia, follow these steps:
- Go to the Virginia Department of Corrections website
- Click on "Offender Search" link https://vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/offender-locator/
- Enter the inmate's name or offender ID number, if known, in the search fields provided
- Review the search results to find the inmate you are looking for
- Click on the inmate's name to view their profile and additional information, including their sentence, location, and release date.
In addition to state and federal prisons, there are also county jails that house inmates throughout Virginia. People can be held in jail either as pre-trial detainees or as sentenced inmates. Jail authorities can provide details about the status of an inmate, including their housing location and release date.
VINELink is a nationwide service that allows individuals to stay informed on the status of a particular inmate within Virginia's correctional system. VINELink provides updates on changes in an individual's custody status and allows registered users to receive notifications when an inmate is released or transferred.
