CORRECTIONS

The Gloucester County Jail houses an average of 38 inmates daily: these individuals are either held awaiting bond, for pretrial purposes, or are serving an active sentence. Corrections deputies are responsible for the safety and security of the jail, as well as for all inmates and individuals visiting the facility. The staff are also responsible for the transporting of inmates to court, other detention facilities, and to doctors and hospitals for medical care and treatment. They also handle the intake procedures for admittance into the jail, and deputies processed over 1,500 people for that purpose last year.

State Compliance

Our Jail is in full compliance with the Virginia Department of Corrections Standards for Jails and Lockups. Our last complete audit was in November of 2015, and we were found to be in excellent standing, with a 100% compliance rating within the 148 standards the Commonwealth has set forth for jail operations. We also meet the requirements to operate through the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Virginia Department of Health.

Inmate Operations

The residents of the Gloucester Jail take an active role in daily operations: although supervised by staff, they are responsible for their laundry services, food preparation, and the painting and cleaning of the facility.

Jail History

Gloucester County has had a detention facility of one design or another dating back to at least the mid-16th century. A 1754 plat shows the existence of both an "old" and "new" prison on the lands adjacent to what we now consider the Courthouse Circle, and documents from the House of Burgesses comment on various gaol activities during the 1760s. Several years later, the County built jail facilities closer to the newer 1766 Courthouse, located within the present-day Courthouse Circle.

In the September 28, 1769, edition of the Virginia Gazette, Gloucester County justices advertised for the building of two brick prisons, with construction of at least one within the Courthouse Circle. Over fifty years later in 1823, consideration was made for the addition of a second jail, and the Debtor's jail was built around 1824.

Sheriff's Office staff in 1971, in front of the old Colonial Courthouse, Gloucester County, Virginia

Previous Jail

According to William Lawrence in his 2009 book A History of Gloucester Courthouse Village, our most previous jail (located in the Courthouse Circle) was constructed on the same location of our earlier mentioned prison: this building had been burned down by the Union Army during the Civil War. An ad was placed in the October 26, 1872 edition of The Gloucester Herald in which sealed bids were being accepted for the building of a "thirty two foot by sixteen foot building...with two brick thick walls...doubly iron grated windows...all the doors to be double...with a slate and fire-proof roof."

The jail was completed in 1873, was painted white, and had a small front portico (which has long since been removed). Two additional rooms were added on either side of the jail in the early 1900's. Although damaged by fire in November of 1974, the building continued to be in use by the Sheriff's Office into the 1980s, where it was last used by the Investigations Division. The building still stands, and can be identified by the large star that hangs over the entryway.

Current Jail

The jail, at its current location on Justice Drive, was constructed in 1984 and has been in continuous use ever since.

Inmate Canteen

Inmates of the Gloucester County Jail are afforded the opportunity to purchase canteen items through the Keefe Commissary Network each week, unless their privilege has been suspended due to disciplinary action. These items are ordered on Sundays and delivered on Wednesdays. An inmate’s friends and family members may mail canteen money orders to:

Inmate’s Name
Gloucester County Jail
7502 Justice Drive
Gloucester, VA 23061

Funds are accepted only in the form of money orders, no cash or personal checks.

Inmate Correspondence

Phone

The inmate telephone system has been contracted through Global Tel*Link, a national company providing inmate telephone services. The system provides telephones for each dayroom and allows the inmate to make collect telephone calls. Although inmates are allowed to make collect calls, not all telephone carriers will accept collect calls.

Global Tel*Link has established an Advance Pay Program, which will allow the inmate's family and friends to set up pre-paid accounts. These accounts allow the person receiving the collect calls to pay.

Mail

Incoming mail is normally received Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. There is no limit to the volume of mail an inmate may receive, or in the length, language, content or source of letter mail, except where there is clear and convincing evidence to justify a limitation. Incoming mail will be delivered by a staff member within 24 hours after receipt with the exception of Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.

The mailing address for the Gloucester County Jail is as follows:

Inmate’s Name
Gloucester County Jail
7502 Justice Drive
Gloucester VA, 23061

Contraband

All incoming mail is scanned to ensure that no contraband enters the facility, to include:

  • Cigarettes

  • Drugs

  • Inappropriate/suggestive photographs

  • Lighters

  • Matches

  • Personal checks

Newspapers, magazines, and books will be accepted only if they are mailed directly from the publishing house to the jail. Registered and certified mail service is available upon request by the inmate, but must be paid for from inmate funds.

Inmate Programs & Services

If an inmate has not received either a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED), he or she may attend GED classes, receive materials as necessary, and even have the opportunity to test for their GED during their stay at the Gloucester County Jail. This program is provided to the inmate, free-of-charge, by the Literacy Volunteers of Gloucester.

Religious Services

Inmates are offered religious service programs in the Gloucester County Jail. These non-denominational services are provided by volunteers throughout the community.

Books / Newspapers

A book cart is provided to the Gloucester County Jail and is frequently restocked by community volunteers to ensure that a wide-variety of reading materials, from books to periodicals, is readily available to the inmates. In addition, each cell block receives a daily newspaper for up-to-date information on current events.

A law library is also available for inmates to use while being housed at the Gloucester County Jail. The complete Code of Virginia is available upon request through a check-out process, and certain conditions may permit the inmate to use a computer upon prior approval of the Sheriff or his designee.

Recovery Classes

Substance abuse is wide-spread in Gloucester County, and many inmates realize the need to participate in addiction avoidance and recovery classes. Many inmates take advantage of the availability of these substance abuse resistance classes, which are offered on a weekly basis.

Notary

Notary Service is available to the inmates, free-of-charge and upon request, providing the availability of staff is sufficient and routine jail operations permit.

Inmates Serving a Non-Consecutive Sentence

Rules of Conduct

This applies to those individuals who are allowed, through the court system, to report to the Gloucester County Jail at a later date to begin serving their sentences. The following rules of conduct and other directives must be adhered to on the day one reports to the jail to serve his or her sentence:

  • Report on Time - Jail staff does not have the authority to alter the report in dates or times specified by the sentencing judge. If you arrive late you will be accepted into the facility, but the court will be notified on your failure to abide by the scheduled report in time. The court will also be notified if you fail to report at all.

  • Picture Identification (ID) - You must present a picture ID at your initial report in time.

  • Use of Alcohol or Illegal Drugs - Do not consume any alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs 24-hours prior to your arrival. You may be required to submit to a breath, blood, and / or urine test. In addition to notifying the court, you will be subject to disciplinary action by the jail and / or criminal charges if a violation is discovered to have occurred.

  • Medical - If you require any special medical needs or medication, you must contact the jail nurse at 804-693-1090 at least 72 hours prior to your arrival date.

  • Inmates are required to pay ten dollars a day (twenty dollars per weekend) by money order only for each day that they are incarcerated. This fee is used to offset the cost of inmate housing.

  • Do not make a false report of illness, injury, or of transportation issues that affect your ability to report to the jail. You must contact the jail if you are unable to report for any reason.

  • Do not attempt to bring items such as cigarettes, unapproved medications, weapons, pornographic materials, or other contraband into the jail.

  • Inmates serving weekends are not entitled to visitation, with the only exception being their attorney, if necessary.

  • Sanctions - Failure to abide by these rules may result in disciplinary action taken by the Gloucester Jail. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, administrative lockdown and/or the forfeiture of good time credits.

Inmate Visitation

The Sheriff Office is committed to ensuring inmates maintain contact with their family and friends during their period of incarceration. In order to expedite this process, each inmate receives a Visitation List Form. The inmate may place up to three people on the form that they have made arrangements with to visit them that week. Any alteration of the form, or if more than three names are listed, will result in the form being considered void. The jail cannot give out the personal information of the inmate by telling anyone over the telephone who a particular inmate has on their visitation form.

Visitation Hours

  • Female inmates with last names beginning with “A” through “L” are allowed visitors on Saturday between the hours of Noon and 1 p.m. 

  • Female inmates with last names beginning with “M” through “Z” are allowed visitors on Sunday between Noon and 1 p.m. 

  • Male inmates with last names beginning with “A” through “L” are allowed visitors on Saturday between 1 and 4 p.m. 

  • Male inmates with last names beginning with “M” through “Z” are allowed visitors on Sunday between 1 and 4 p.m.

Note: Visitors for female residents must arrive no later than 12:45 p.m. to sign in for a visit. Visitors for male residents must sign in no later than 3:15 p.m. There will be no exceptions.

Visitation Rules

  • Visitors must show a valid, government-issued form of identification displaying a picture when they register to visit.

  • Visitors must be dressed appropriately: no halter tops, tube tops, bare shoulders, or bare feet are allowed. No spandex pants or otherwise excessively tight or revealing clothing (as determined by the shift supervisor) are acceptable.

  • Misconduct by visitors will result in that person being prohibited from entering this facility as a visitor permanently, or for a specific period of time at the discretion of the Jail Administrator.

  • Visitors who have prior felony convictions may visit only with permission of the Jail Administrator.

  • Visitors who have been held at this facility in the last two months may only visit after waiting ninety days after their release, and with the permission of the Jail Administrator.

  • Bringing firearms, explosives, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or any other controlled substance in this facility, is a violation of the Code of Virginia and will result in arrest.

  • Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

  • Visitors must not leave minor children unattended in the facility or parking lot.

  • Visitors will be allowed to escort one child at a time. The visitation booth is limited in space.

  • Visitors who enter the secured area of the facility may be subject to search in accordance with the Code of Virginia state statue 53.1-127.

  • Visitors may smoke only in the designated area outside the building.

Visitation Denials

Visits may be denied for the following circumstances:

  • The visitor appears to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

  • The visitor attempts to give contraband or any other item to an inmate.

  • The visitor is implicated in an escape plot.

  • The visitor makes statements or gestures that he or she may present a threat to any person or jail security.

  • The visitor becomes disruptive, disorderly, or unruly during a visit.

  • There is an emergency in the facility.

Confidential Visits

All inmates are allowed confidential visits from:

  • Approved Clergy

  • Attorneys or Authorized Members of the Staff

  • Doctors

  • Probation and Parole Officers

  • Psychiatrists

  • Psychologists

  • Social Workers

Inmate Work Programs

Trustee Positions

Productive, useful work brings satisfaction and self-esteem for those who perform it. Inmates may voluntarily apply for trustee positions available in the Gloucester County Jail. Based on their level of classification and the screening process, they may be placed in an in-house position or on a road crew position.

In-house trustee positions include painters, night-time floor maintenance, laundry services, and kitchen workers. These inmates are supervised by the jail staff.

Road Crew

The inmate work crew is comprised of six inmates who voluntarily apply for this trustee position in the Gloucester County Jail. These inmates go through a selection process and are continuously supervised by an armed deputy when away from the Gloucester County Jail. They are provided work clothes, boots, and safety equipment.

These inmates may be seen throughout the County cutting grass, trimming trees, picking up trash, or setting up for county-related events for various governmental departments and the Virginia Department of Transportation. This group has also been utilized for emergency clean up after storms such as Hurricane Isabel and for snow removal, when necessary, from County-owned properties.

Inmate generated funds are used to support this program, not taxpayer's money. In addition, the manpower provided by the inmates saves Gloucester County taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each year.

Court Security

The Gloucester County Court Building not only houses the courtrooms for Circuit, General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, but also local pretrial and probation, Court Services and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. Our office considers this building to be our busiest for an average of 246 people enter through its front doors daily.

Responsibilities

The staff assigned to Courts and Civil Process is responsible for the safety and security of all who enter the building as well as assist in the daily operations of each court. Responsibilities of the Civil Process staff include serving Department of Motor Vehicles notices, bills of complaints, levies, other notices and scheduling evictions.

Courtroom Etiquette

If you are entering the Courthouse Building, we ask that you follow these rules to help our staff maintain effective operation and ensure that you are in compliance with proper courtroom etiquette:

  • Do not enter the building with any weapons or what could be utilized as weapons. This includes pocket knives, mace, firearms, scissors, etc.

  • Do not bring with you any food or drink. If you are here for a period of time, these items may be purchased through vending machines located on the basement level of the Courthouse Building. You may not take any food or drink into a courtroom with you.

  • To maintain safety and security of the building, all items will be searched as you enter the Courthouse Building. This includes but is not limited to: canes, packages, purses, backpacks, strollers, crutches, wheelchairs, etc.

  • Please arrive on time and as you enter the building, please remove any and all loose items from your pockets and follow procedure as directed by the deputy staffing the metal detector. This makes entry into the building faster and our screening process more effective. Our detectors are sensitive. Items you believe may not set off alarms, will indeed, do so.

  • Please be dressed appropriately when you enter the Courthouse Building. Examples of clothing not tolerated are: shorts, shirts bearing midriff or shoulders, hats, sunglasses, and flip-flops. If you plan to visit one of our courtrooms, please ensure your shirt is tucked in prior to entry.

  • Our staff prefers you to leave any cell phone, pager and/or electronic device in your vehicle prior to entry into the Courthouse Building. Should you bring these items through screening, you will be asked to turn these devices off, not on vibrate or silent. If these devices are activated while inside of the building, they may be confiscated. No public cell phone use is tolerated in the courtroom or in the Courthouse Building.

  • When you enter the courtroom, talking and chewing gum is not allowed. Any disruption will be cause for dismissal.

Services Available to the Public

Fingerprinting

Fingerprints needed for employment are offered by the Gloucester County Jail. This service is free for Gloucester residents, and a fee of $10 will be charged to non-residents. Wait times are dependent on availability of staffing and jail operations. You must present some form of government-issued identification at the time of your request.

Criminal fingerprints or DNA samples, as referred by the courts, are also completed by reporting to the jail lobby.

Sex Offender Registry Updates

Updates to Virginia State Police’s Sex Offender Registry, such as change of address or employment, may also be completed by reporting to the jail lobby.

Background Checks

Background checks for employment or for any reasons external to routine jail operations cannot be conducted for you at the Gloucester County Jail. You will be referred to the Virginia State Police’s Gloucester Office located at:

6104 Fiddler’s Green Road (Adjacent to Dominion Virginia Power)
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: 804-693-6808