Search Virginia Jail Roster
The Virginia jail roster covers state prisons, regional jails, and local sheriff jails across all 95 counties and 38 independent cities in the Commonwealth. Use this page to find inmates, look up booking info, and reach the right agency for custody records. You can search the statewide VADOC offender locator, county jail rosters, and city sheriff inmate lists from one place. Each county sheriff and each independent city sheriff runs a local jail roster, and many also share regional jail facilities. We link to every agency that handles jail roster data in Virginia, from the state down to the local level, so you can find the right place to start your search.
Virginia Jail Roster Overview
Where to Find Virginia Jail Roster Records
Jail and inmate records in Virginia live in a few places. State prison inmates show up in the Virginia Department of Corrections offender locator. Local and regional jail inmates show up on sheriff and regional jail websites. Court case files tie the two together and live with the clerk of the circuit or district court.
The core rules for jails and prisons are in Title 53.1 of the Code of Virginia. Title 53.1 sets the legal frame for how jails run, who can hold inmates, and what the State Board of Local and Regional Jails does. Under Va. Code § 53.1-1, a local correctional facility is any jail used for the detention or incarceration of adult offenders that a city or county owns or runs. State prisons fall under VADOC. Regional jails are run by boards made up of more than one city or county.
The research for this site pulled data from the Virginia Court System. Read more at the Virginia Court System site.
The court portal ties case numbers and charges to inmates you find on a local roster.
How to Search the Virginia Jail Roster
Start with the level of the facility. If you think the person is in a state prison, try the VADOC offender locator first. If you think the person was just booked, check the county or city sheriff jail roster. If you are not sure, check both. Many sheriff offices post a daily inmate list on their site. Some post a full roster with mug shot, charges, and bond info.
A good search needs a first name, last name, and date of birth if you have it. Some rosters also take a booking number. If the name is common, add the city or county to narrow things down. The Virginia Judicial System case info site is a good cross-check. It shows case numbers, court dates, and charges in general district courts and circuit courts.
Here is what you can pull from a typical Virginia jail roster:
- Inmate name and booking date
- Charges and bond amount
- Court date and case number
- Holding facility and housing unit
- Mug shot (in most jails)
Note: Roster data is a snapshot. People get booked and released all day, so refresh the page or call the jail if you need the latest custody status.
VADOC Offender Locator and Jail Roster
The Virginia Department of Corrections runs the state offender locator. VADOC houses inmates who got a sentence of more than 12 months. The tool lets you search by name or offender ID. It shows the facility, status, and parole eligibility. You can reach the locator from the main VADOC site.
Under Va. Code § 53.1-8, VADOC is run by a director who answers to the Governor. The director sets standards for local jails, runs state prisons, and keeps data on inmates. VADOC also runs a victim notification service, work release, and reentry programs. The Department of Criminal Justice Services sets training and policy rules that tie into the wider system.
More background on DCJS is at its main site.
DCJS is the state body that backs law enforcement and jail staff with training and grants.
Regional Jails in Virginia
Virginia has more than 20 regional jails. A regional jail holds inmates from two or more counties or cities. Small rural counties often share one. Each regional jail is run by a board made of the member jurisdictions. The board hires a superintendent who runs the day to day. Each regional jail posts its own inmate roster on its website.
The Virginia Compensation Board funds most local and regional jail staff positions. The Board sets pay and tracks jail data for the state.
The Compensation Board reports give a clear look at jail counts and staffing across the state.
Local Jails and Sheriff Offices
The Virginia Constitution calls for an elected sheriff in each county and city. The sheriff runs the local jail, serves civil papers, and provides court security. Sheriffs serve four year terms. There are 123 sheriffs in all. The sheriff is the main source for the local jail roster in most places.
The Virginia State Police is not a jail agency, but it holds the central criminal history file. VSP also runs the sex offender registry and does fingerprint checks. Local jails feed data to VSP on bookings and releases.
VSP records help fill in gaps that a local roster does not show, like prior charges.
Under Va. Code § 53.1-2, the State Board of Local and Regional Jails sets minimum standards for all local and regional jails. The Board has 11 members picked by the Governor. Read more about the Board in Title 53.1.
The code chapter spells out the rules jails must meet on health care, safety, and inmate rights.
Visitation and the Jail Roster
Each jail sets its own visit rules. Most ask visitors to sign up in advance and be on the inmate's approved list. State prisons use a fixed visit day each week. Local jails tend to use short visit blocks and may use video visits. Under Va. Code § 53.1-1.2, visitors can be scanned or searched, and they can refuse a search without being barred for life.
Video visits are common at larger urban jails in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Fairfax. Some jails still run contact visits in booths. Call the jail before you drive out, since rules change.
Booking Information on the Jail Roster
Booking is the first step after an arrest. The jail takes the person's name, date of birth, and charges. Staff run fingerprints and a mug shot. The person sees a magistrate and a bond is set or denied. Once booking is done, the inmate shows up on the local jail roster within a few hours.
Under Va. Code § 53.1-1.1, jails and prisons must offer prepaid or debit phone service to inmates. The list of approved numbers must hold at least 20 entries. VADOC cannot take a cut from phone revenue. Local jails follow their own contracts but must meet state minimums.
Phone and mail rules are posted on each sheriff site. Mail must go to the facility address, not a PO box in most cases.
Public Records and FOIA
Virginia has a strong open records law. The Virginia Freedom of Information Act is in Title 2.2, Chapter 37 of the Code of Virginia. Jail and sheriff records count as public records in most cases. Staff must answer a FOIA request in five working days. The Virginia FOIA Council helps with training and advice.
Some jail data is off limits. Medical files, juvenile records, and records that would risk jail security are not public. Personnel files of jail staff are also exempt in most parts. The office can charge a fair fee for search time and copies. The Office of the Attorney General has more on records rules.
The AG site has opinions on how jails must treat records requests.
Legal Help and Virginia Jail Roster Resources
A person listed on a Virginia jail roster has the right to a lawyer. Public defenders handle most cases for people who can't pay. The Virginia State Bar has a lawyer referral service and a free directory.
The State Bar site lists local legal aid groups for each part of Virginia.
Statutes that shape the jail roster and inmate rights are on the Virginia General Assembly site.
LIS hosts the full Code of Virginia, bill tracking, and floor records.
For broader case law and how courts read Title 53.1, the Cornell Virginia legal resources page is a solid start.
Cornell mirrors the code and points to key cases.
Medical staff inside Virginia jails must be licensed. Check a name at the Department of Health Professions.
DHP also has a license lookup for nurses and doctors who work inside jails.
The full text of Title 53.1 of the Code of Virginia is the source for every rule above.
This is the chapter to cite when you file a FOIA or jail records request.
Note: Always confirm a jail roster listing by phone before you act on it, since web data can lag behind booking by several hours.
Browse Virginia Jail Roster by County
Each Virginia county has its own sheriff and jail. Pick a county to find local booking info, jail address, phone, and the county jail roster link.
Browse Major Virginia Cities Jail Roster
Virginia's independent cities run their own sheriff jails. Pick a city to find the local jail roster and booking info.