County jail visitation varies more than people expect, and Loudoun County has specific protocols worth knowing before you show up.
Contact versus non-contact visits depend on the inmate's housing classification and the facility's current setup. Many county jails, including a number of Virginia facilities, use video visitation terminals or glass partition visits rather than contact visits for general population. That means you may be speaking through a phone handset with a glass or screen between you rather than sitting at a table together. Physical contact in that setup is limited to possibly a brief touch at the start and end if the format allows it at all.
Before you go, call the facility directly and ask about the visitation format for his specific housing unit. That one call tells you exactly what to expect and saves you from being caught off guard.
On what to bring, the answer for most county jails is nothing. Facilities typically do not allow visitors to bring items for inmates during visits. If you want to get him something, money on his commissary account and letters or postcards through InmateAid are the most reliable ways to do it. Those channels get him what he needs without the risk of items being turned away at the door.
Dress conservatively when you go. Many facilities turn visitors away for clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, is too revealing, or does not meet their dress code. Check Loudoun's specific guidelines on their website or by phone before your visit day.
Arrive early, bring a valid photo ID, and expect to go through a security screening before you are admitted.