VA DOC - Red Onion State Prison

State Prison

Last Updated: February 07, 2024
Address
10800 H. Jack Rose Hwy, Pound, VA 24279
Beds
799
County
Wise
Phone
276-796-7510
Mailing Address
PO Box 970, Pound, VA 24279

Red Onion State Prison is for State Prison offenders sentenced anywhere from one year to life by the State Court in the county where the charges were filed

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for State - maximum facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of VA DOC - Red Onion State Prison

You can support your loved ones at Red Onion State Prison on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 276-796-7510.

Located at 10800 H. Jack Rose Hwy in Pound, VA, Red Onion State Prison carefully assigns inmates based on their custody level, considering factors like criminal history. Red Onion State Prison offers diverse educational and vocational programs aimed at equipping offenders for successful reintegration into society and reducing recidivism. Through these initiatives, inmates gain skills and confidence, fostering personal growth and resilience.

Red Onion State Prison houses approximately 848 male inmates, including some of the most violent and dangerous criminals in the state. Many inmates at Red Onion have proven difficult to manage and pose disciplinary challenges, leading to their transfer to this high-security facility. With over two-thirds of offenders held in isolation, inmates endure 23 hours of lockdown per day, with meals served through a slot in the door and only one hour of exercise permitted daily. Programming is limited, often delivered via video on closed-circuit television due to safety concerns.

Despite its restrictive environment, Red Onion State Prison does offer educational opportunities such as GED classes and literacy programs. Select inmates may also work as custodians within the facility. However, the prison has faced criticism from human rights groups for its solitary confinement practices, with some alleging they constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

Inmates seeking transfer to another facility from Red Onion must complete the 'Progressive Housing Phase Program' and demonstrate high levels of compliance and good behavior. Notably, Red Onion is home to Lee Boyd Malvo, infamous as the 'Beltway Sniper.'

As part of the Virginia state prison system, Red Onion aligns with broader departmental goals by offering programs and services aimed at occupying inmate time constructively and reducing unrest. These include core programs like inmate work activities, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and life skills programming, tailored to address diverse inmate needs and promote positive prison adjustment and rehabilitation. Additionally, the facility provides education on substance abuse consequences, supports group counseling, and offers various specialized services to meet unique inmate requirements.

Inmate Locator

Red Onion State Prison maintains a database of current inmates and their locations within the system. To locate an inmate, begin by using the DOC locator tool, which requires entering the first three letters of the inmate's first and last name, allowing for variations in spelling.

If unable to locate the desired information through free resources, users may opt to use the Arrest Record Search, which requires payment. While this option incurs a small fee, it provides access to the most up-to-date data available.

Get an Arrest Record immediately.

Visitation Information

VA DOC - Red Onion State Prison - Visitation

Apply for Visitation - Submit a visitation application online if you are a new visitor or renewing your visitation privileges.

Schedule a Visit - Once you receive approval to visit an inmate in a VADOC facility, you must schedule your visit online using the Visitation Scheduler. If you are a new user, you must first register using the “Register Today” option.

Prepare for Your Scheduled Visit - Once you have both applied for visitation and scheduled your visit, please review the following information to help you prepare for your in-person visit.

Plan - Please arrive at the facility one hour before your visit for security screening. No food or drinks will be allowed in the facility, and there will be no access to vending machines.

Visiting with Minor Children - The VADOC has developed a child-friendly short video to help prepare families for a productive visit. If you are visiting with a minor child, the following video will help prepare your child for what to expect during the visit – VADOC Visitation Reminders.

Ask The Inmate

Ask a former inmate questions at no charge. The inmate answering has spent considerable time in the federal prison system, state and county jails, and in a prison that was run by the private prison entity CCA. Ask your question or browse previous questions in response to comments or further questions of members of the InmateAid community.