Virginia DOC (VADOC) does not use a centralized scanning PO Box for personal mail. Letters go directly to the facility. However, all incoming general correspondence is photocopied and only the photocopies are delivered - originals, including personal photos, are shredded after copying. The maximum is three photocopied pages (front and back) per mailing, including the envelope itself.
Legal mail from attorneys and courts goes to a separate Centralized Mail Distribution Center in State Farm, Virginia.
These mailing procedures apply to VADOC facilities only. Inmates at local or regional jails follow that jail's rules - contact the jail directly.
Virginia VADOC refers to incarcerated people as "inmates" throughout its materials.
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
Mail goes directly to the facility. Address every piece of mail as:
[Inmate's First and Last Name]
[Inmate's 7-digit State ID Number]
[Name of Facility or Institution]
[Address and Zip Code]
Find the inmate's 7-digit state ID number: vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/
Find facility mailing addresses: vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities-and-offices/
What is accepted:
- Letters
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Photos (no pornographic, obscene, or offensive imagery)
What is NOT accepted:
- Money orders, cash, checks, or other items of monetary value
- Postage stamps
- Prepaid postage envelopes or postcards
- Nude or semi-nude images of anyone
- Contraband or other items not in compliance with VADOC Operating Procedure 802.1
How Virginia processes your mail
All incoming general correspondence is photocopied. Only the photocopies are delivered to the inmate. Originals - including personal photos - are shredded after photocopying.
Three-page maximum: a maximum of three 8.5" x 11" front-and-back photocopied pages will be delivered per mailing. This includes a copy of the envelope as one of the three pages. If you send more, the excess will not be delivered.
Incoming mail may be opened, searched, and read by authorized staff.
Mail for an inmate not housed at that facility will be returned to the post office unopened, or to the sender if already opened, with a written explanation.
If the inmate has been released or transferred, mail will be returned to the sender.
For legal questions about content: contact the facility directly or consult VADOC Operating Procedure 803.1.
Legal mail - Centralized Mail Distribution Center
All legal correspondence from attorneys and courts must go to the VADOC Centralized Mail Distribution Center - not to the facility:
VADOC Centralized Mail Distribution Center
[Inmate Name, Inmate #]
3521 Woods Way
State Farm, Virginia 23160
Legal mail is scanned with real-time tracking, screened by trained VADOC staff for illicit substances (ion scanner and narcotic canine), and delivered via USPS Priority Express mail on the same business day of receipt.
Legal correspondence that requires civil process service on an inmate should continue to be addressed to the facility where the inmate is housed. Facility addresses: vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities-and-offices/
Full policy: VADOC Operating Procedure 803.4.
Sending money - JPay
JPay is VADOC's corrections services provider for money deposits. You will need the inmate's 7-digit state ID number for all transactions.
Online: jpay.com (credit or debit card)
Phone: 1-800-574-5729 (anytime)
Mobile app: JPay app - Android or iOS
Cash: MoneyGram agent locations including Walmart and CVS; flat $6.95 fee regardless of amount
Money orders: include JPay deposit slip; mail to JPay / P.O. Box 278170 / Miramar FL 33027
Fee schedule:
$0-$20.00: online $2.95 / phone $3.95 / walk-in $6.95
$20.01-$100.00: online $5.95 / phone $6.95 / walk-in $6.95
$100.01-$200.00: online $7.95 / phone $8.95 / walk-in $6.95
$200.01-$300.00: online $9.95 / phone $10.95 / walk-in $6.95
Important notes:
- If the inmate owes fines, costs, or restitution, a percentage of deposited funds may go toward those debts.
- Individuals may not send money to more than one inmate without prior VADOC approval.
- Review Operating Procedure 802.2 before sending funds; violations may delay delivery or refunds.
To add money to an inmate's phone account (PIN Debit), use ConnectNetwork - see phone section below.
Phone calls - ConnectNetwork (Global Tel*Link)
VADOC's inmate phone system is operated through ConnectNetwork by Global Tel*Link. All calls are recorded and monitored, except verified attorney calls. Calls are limited to 20 minutes.
Approved call list: inmates may call family, friends, and legal aid from their approved list, which is limited to 15 numbers maximum (landlines and cell phones). It is the inmate's responsibility to maintain this list.
You are free to deny any collect or debit call from an inmate.
Prohibited actions that will result in loss of phone privileges:
- Placing incoming calls to an inmate
- Calling international numbers
- Calling toll-free numbers (700, 800, 888, 900, and similar)
- Charging calls to credit cards, third parties, or any billing other than collect or pre-paid
- Transferring calls to a third party
- Using call forwarding or answering machine services
- Calling pager numbers
- Calling pay phones
Two ways to fund calls:
AdvancePay (family/friends set up a prepaid account to receive calls): visit web.connectnetwork.com or call 1-800-483-8314. The inmate can only call the number associated with this account.
Inmate PIN Debit Account (inmate manages; can call any approved number): deposit at web.connectnetwork.com - select VA > Department of Corrections. You will need the inmate's 7-digit state ID number.
Virginia county and regional jails
Virginia has 130+ county and regional jails, each operating under the local sheriff or regional authority. These facilities are not part of VADOC and use their own mail and deposit rules. If your loved one is housed in a local jail on behalf of VADOC, contact that jail directly.
What to know before you send anything
Mail goes directly to the facility - include the inmate's full name, 7-digit state ID, facility name, and complete address.
All mail is photocopied; originals are shredded. Max 3 photocopied pages delivered (front and back), including the envelope.
No stamps, no prepaid envelopes, no cash or checks in mail. Photos accepted but also shredded after copying.
Legal mail from attorneys and courts: VADOC Centralized Mail Distribution Center / 3521 Woods Way / State Farm VA 23160.
Money: JPay (jpay.com or 1-800-574-5729). One-inmate-per-sender limit unless prior VADOC approval.
Phone: ConnectNetwork (web.connectnetwork.com or 1-800-483-8314). 15-number max approved list; 20-minute call limit. All calls recorded.
Local jails: contact each directly.
VADOC email: DOCMail@vadoc.virginia.gov
VADOC main: (804) 674-3000 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Inmate locator: vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/
Facility directory: vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities-and-offices/
Related pages:
/prisons/virginia
How to send money to a Virginia inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Virginia VADOC inmate?
Directly to the facility where they are housed. Include their full name, 7-digit state ID number, facility name, and facility address. Find both at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/ and vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities-and-offices/.
What happens to my letter after it arrives?
It is photocopied, and only the photocopy is delivered to the inmate. The original is shredded. Photos are also shredded after copying.
How many pages can an inmate receive?
A maximum of three 8.5" x 11" photocopied pages (front and back) per mailing. This includes a copy of the envelope as one of the three pages.
Can I send photos?
Yes - include them with your letter. No pornographic, obscene, or offensive imagery. Photos are photocopied and the originals are shredded.
Can I send a greeting card or postcard?
Yes, both are accepted.
Can I send stamps?
No. Stamps, prepaid envelopes, and prepaid postcards are not accepted.
Where do I send legal mail?
VADOC Centralized Mail Distribution Center / [Inmate Name, Inmate #] / 3521 Woods Way / State Farm, Virginia 23160. Legal mail screened and delivered by Priority Express same day.
How do I send money?
Through JPay at jpay.com, the JPay app, or by phone at 1-800-574-5729. Cash via MoneyGram; money orders to JPay PO Box 278170, Miramar FL 33027. Need inmate's 7-digit state ID.
How do I set up phone calls?
Through ConnectNetwork at web.connectnetwork.com or 1-800-483-8314. AdvancePay for a specific number, or PIN Debit for the inmate to call any approved number. 20-minute call limit; 15-number max list. ====================================================================