West Virginia uses a single phone vendor - GettingOut (a Telmate/ViaPath/GTL platform) - across both its state correctional facilities and its 10 Regional Jails. This matters because West Virginia's corrections structure is unusual: sentenced inmates are frequently housed in Regional Jails rather than state prisons. Wherever your loved one is held within the WVDCR or Regional Jail Authority system, the phone setup process is the same.
WVDCR uses "inmates" and "offenders" in official materials.
WEST VIRGINIA'S CORRECTIONS STRUCTURE
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) oversees two systems:
State correctional facilities: WVDCR-operated prisons for sentenced offenders
Regional Jails (10 facilities): Operated by the WV Regional Jail Authority (RJA), serving all 55 counties for pretrial detainees and many sentenced offenders
Unlike most states where sentenced inmates go to a separate state prison, West Virginia frequently keeps sentenced inmates in Regional Jails. Both systems use GettingOut for phone calls and video visits.
PHONE VENDOR - GettingOut (Telmate/ViaPath/GTL)
Official WVDCR statement: "The WV Division of Corrections has contracted with GettingOut to provide calling and video visits to inmates."
Setup: gettingout.com
iOS app: GettingOut (GOVisits) - App Store
Android app: GettingOut - Google Play
GettingOut customer care: 1-866-516-0115
Guide and Support Numbers (WVDCR PDF): dcr.wv.gov/resources/Documents/Video Visits-WV DOC.pdf
RATE
The current per-minute rate is not published on the official WVDCR page or on the generic GettingOut website. Rates are facility-specific and must be verified at gettingout.com by selecting the correct West Virginia facility before funding an account. Check the rate in the GettingOut interface before adding money.
ACCOUNT TYPES
GettingOut offers four ways to pay for calls:
Inmate Account (prepaid debit): Deposit money directly into the inmate's account. They can use it for phone calls and other available services (video visits, messaging, tablets). The inmate can call any approved number.
Friends & Family Account (prepaid): Funds are held in your account. The inmate can only call the specific phone number you registered. Useful if you want calls directed to your number only.
Quick Connect: No prepaid account needed. When the inmate calls, you pay for that one call on the spot using a credit card through an automated system. Additional fees, costs, and restrictions may apply.
Collect: Calls billed to your landline phone account. Your carrier handles billing; charges appear on your next phone bill. Not all carriers support collect billing. Contact your carrier before accepting collect calls.
FEES
Automated deposit fee: $3.00 per transaction
Live operator deposit fee: $5.95 per transaction
No connection charge: There are no fees associated with connecting a Prepaid or Collect call
Credit card processing fees: Passed through at no markup from Telmate
IDENTITY VERIFICATION (Telmate Verified)
Some WVDCR and RJA facilities require Telmate Verified identity verification before the inmate can connect calls to your number. This is to ensure inmates are not connecting with inappropriate contacts. Verification can be completed by making a deposit, scheduling a video visit, or completing the Telmate Verified form at gettingout.com.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Video visits: Scheduled in advance at gettingout.com or via the app; remote video from home or on-site kiosk at select facilities. Video visits must be scheduled in advance.
Voicemail from inmates: If you have opted in to One Touch Call Acceptance (press 1 on first call), the inmate can leave you voicemails. Useful when you are unavailable.
One Touch Call Acceptance: Press 1 when you first receive an inmate's call to auto-accept all future communications. Can be turned off at any time.
Messages and photos: Available through GettingOut at gettingout.com or in the app.
Tablets: Eligible inmates have access to tablets for productive use and additional communication. Fund their account to enable tablet services.
WEST VIRGINIA REGIONAL JAILS (10 facilities)
The RJA operates 10 Regional Jails covering all 55 West Virginia counties:
North Central Regional Jail - Gilmer County
Eastern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility - Martinsburg
Tygart Valley Regional Jail - Belington
Potomac Highlands Regional Jail - Augusta
South Central Regional Jail & Correctional Facility - Charleston
Western Regional Jail & Correctional Facility - Barboursville
Southwestern Regional Jail - Holden
Little Sandy Correctional Complex - Sandy Hook
Northern Regional Jail & Correctional Facility - Moundsville
St. Marys Correctional Center - St. Marys
All 10 use GettingOut for phone and video services. For Regional Jail matters, the RJA central office: 304-558-2110.
WVDCR STATE ADULT FACILITIES (selected)
Mount Olive Correctional Complex - Mount Olive
Huttonsville Correctional Center - Huttonsville
St. Marys Correctional Center - St. Marys
Anthony Correctional Center - Anthony
Lakin Correctional Center - West Columbia (women)
Denmar Correctional Center - Hillsboro
Pruntytown Correctional Center - Grafton
Full facility list: dcr.wv.gov/facilities/Pages/Adult-Facilities.aspx
INMATE LOCATOR
OIS Offender Search: apps.wv.gov
Search by offender ID or first and last name for state facilities. For county/regional jail searches, use name only.
WVDCR contact:
1409 Greenbrier Street
Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: 304-558-2036
WV Regional Jail Authority central office: 304-558-2110
What to do before the first call
1. Find the inmate's current facility using the OIS Offender Search at apps.wv.gov
2. Confirm whether the facility is a WVDCR state facility or a Regional Jail (both use GettingOut)
3. Create a GettingOut account at gettingout.com or download the app
4. Add the inmate to your account by name or ID number; select the correct facility
5. Check the current rate for that facility in the GettingOut interface before funding
6. Choose your account type: Inmate Account (inmate calls multiple numbers), Friends & Family Account (calls to your number only), Quick Connect (pay per call), or Collect (landline only)
7. If required, complete Telmate Verified identity verification
8. Fund the account
9. Wait for the inmate to initiate the call
Frequently asked questions
Who provides phone calls at West Virginia facilities?
GettingOut, a Telmate/ViaPath platform. Setup at gettingout.com or via the app. Customer care: 1-866-516-0115.
What is the rate?
Rates are facility-specific and not published on the official WVDCR page. Check the rate in the GettingOut interface for the specific facility before funding your account.
Does GettingOut work for both state prisons and Regional Jails?
Yes. GettingOut covers both WVDCR state correctional facilities and all 10 RJA Regional Jails.
Why is my loved one in a Regional Jail and not a state prison?
West Virginia's corrections structure is different from most states. Sentenced inmates are frequently housed in Regional Jails operated by the Regional Jail Authority rather than being transferred to a state prison. This is normal for West Virginia.
What's the difference between Inmate Account and Friends & Family Account?
Inmate Account: funds go on the inmate's balance; they can call any approved number. Friends & Family Account: funds are in your account; the inmate can only call your specific registered number.
What is Telmate Verified?
An identity verification requirement at some facilities. Confirm via deposit, video visit scheduling, or the Telmate Verified form at gettingout.com. ====================================================================
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