West Virginia State Prisons
23 facilities- WV DOC-Anthony Correctional Center (ACC)
- WV DOC-Beckley Correctional Center (BCC)
- WV DOC-Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
- WV DOC-Charleston Correctional Center (CCC)
- WV DOC-Denmar Correctional Center
Federal Facilities in West Virginia
6 facilities- FCI Beckley Medium and Satellite Camp
- FCI Gilmer Medium and Satellite Camp
- FCI Hazelton Medium and Secure Female Facility
- FCI McDowell Medium and Satellite Camp
- Federal Prison Camp, Alderson
West Virginia County Jails
2 facilitiesWest Virginia Department of Corrections
West Virginia DCR offender search allows searches by inmate ID or name. West Virginia has been significantly impacted by the opioid crisis - the state has one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the country, and a significant portion of its incarcerated population is there for drug-related offenses.
The official inmate search is available at apps.wv.gov/dcr/offendersearch. FCI Gilmer and FCI Hazelton are federal facilities in West Virginia. Hazelton has had a troubled history of violence.
Visitation in West Virginia Facilities
West Virginia DCR visitor approval requires a visitor application. Processing takes 2 - 4 weeks. Background checks for adult visitors. West Virginia's mountainous geography can make visitation very challenging - some facilities are in extremely remote mountain locations.
Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our West Virginia prison directory.
Sending Mail to West Virginia Inmates
West Virginia DCR mail requires the inmate ID. Standard 4x6 photos accepted. West Virginia's mountainous terrain means some facilities are difficult to reach. The state has been upgrading its correctional infrastructure.
InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to West Virginia facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.
Phone Calls from West Virginia Facilities
West Virginia is not currently among the states that offer free inmate phone calls. GTL/ViaPath holds the West Virginia DCR contract.
Following the FCC's Martha Wright-Reed Order (effective April 6, 2026), per-minute rates for inmate calls are now federally capped at state and federal facilities. Find current carrier and rate information on each facility's page in our West Virginia prison directory.
Sending Money to West Virginia Inmates
Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for West Virginia:
- JPay (primary for West Virginia DCR)
- Money orders at some facilities
- Lobby kiosks
See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.
Reentry Resources in West Virginia
Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in West Virginia:
- West Virginia DCR Reentry - Official reentry programs
- Legal Aid of West Virginia - Free civil legal help statewide
- ACLU of West Virginia - Civil rights advocacy including prison conditions
- CHANGE WV - Criminal justice reform advocacy
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Prisons
Why does West Virginia have such high incarceration for drug offenses?
West Virginia has had the highest drug overdose death rate in the United States for most of the past decade, driven primarily by opioids - prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. The pharmaceutical and distribution companies that flooded the state with opioids were the subject of major federal litigation, and West Virginia is a central case study in the opioid crisis. The criminal justice response was aggressive: drug possession and distribution charges drove significant prison population increases. The state has been expanding drug courts and treatment alternatives, recognizing that addiction treatment is more cost-effective than incarceration for a large portion of the incarcerated population.
What is Mount Olive Correctional Complex?
Mount Olive Correctional Complex in Fayette County opened in 1995 as the replacement for West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville. It is West Virginia's primary maximum-security facility, housing the state's most serious and long-term offenders. Mount Olive is about 45 miles southeast of Charleston via US-60, in the New River Gorge region. Contact Mount Olive at 304-442-7213 for visitor information and procedures. All adult visitors require background checks and advance approval.
What is the WV State Penitentiary in Moundsville?
The West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville is a Gothic-style prison built in 1876 that operated until 1995. It is now a major tourist attraction - operating year-round for historical tours, ghost tours, escape rooms, Halloween events, and overnight paranormal investigations. It is consistently rated one of the most haunted places in America and draws visitors from across the region. The Moundsville facility is NOT an active prison and houses no current inmates. If you receive information suggesting someone is incarcerated at 'Moundsville,' verify immediately - it may be a miscommunication about the nearby Northern Regional Jail, which is an active facility.
Does West Virginia have free prison phone calls?
No - West Virginia has not eliminated phone call fees. GTL/ViaPath holds the West Virginia DCR contract. The FCC's April 2026 rate caps apply to interstate calls from West Virginia state facilities, reducing costs from historical highs, but calls are not free. Set up a GTL ConnectNetwork account for state facility calls rather than accepting collect calls.
What is the inmate ID in West Virginia?
Every West Virginia state inmate is assigned a unique inmate ID number when they enter DCR custody. It must appear on all mail sent to DCR facilities and is required for the West Virginia DCR offender search at apps.wv.gov/dcr. County jail detainees have their own booking numbers separate from state inmate IDs. Once assigned at state intake, the inmate ID is permanent for the sentence.
What are FCI Gilmer and FCI Hazelton?
FCI Gilmer is a medium-security federal prison in Glenville, Gilmer County, in north-central West Virginia about 100 miles east of Parkersburg - a rural area serving federal inmates primarily from the mid-Atlantic region. FCC Hazelton in Bruceton Mills, Preston County, includes both FCI Hazelton and USP Hazelton and has a troubled documented history - multiple inmate deaths, staffing challenges, and federal court rulings over conditions. If your federal inmate has been placed at Hazelton, maintain close contact and document any safety concerns. Contact FCC Hazelton at 304-379-5000. Use the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov to confirm current placement and which specific facility within the complex.