Western Virginia Regional Jail

You can support your loved ones at Western VA Regional Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 540-378-3700.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work at Western Virginia Regional Jail so you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Western VA Regional Jail is a detention center located at 5885 W River Rd Salem, VA which is operated locally by the Independent City County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Independent City County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Salem Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals. You can see all the arrest records for Virginia here.

Books, Newspapers & Magazine Subscriptions - A variety of newspapers, books and magazines are provided to the inmates through the jail library. However, should an inmate want a subscription to a particular newspaper or magazine, the Jail guidelines must be followed.

Rules & Regulations

• Items must be brand new and come directly from the publisher. Ex. Barnes and Noble, Amazon Fulfillment Center, etc.
• Books must be paperback/softcover.
• Inmates are allowed to receive a total of four (4) books each month.
• No used books or books received from third party sellers will be accepted and will be returned to the sender upon arrival.
• Reasonable quantities of items will be allowed. However, if excessive quantities create a fire hazard in the inmate's cell, these items will either be placed in the inmate's property or disposed of.
• Publications cannot violate U.S. Postal Regulations.
• Items ordered from a publisher (books, magazines and newspapers) will be approved upon delivery to the Western Virginia Regional Jail.
  • The jail may disapprove, in whole or in part, any issue if the contents are of a nature to compromise jail security, order or rehabilitative efforts.
  • Items disapproved by the WVRJ will be placed in the inmate's property or can be mailed out at the inmate's expense.

​Mail - Family and friends are encouraged to communicate with their loved ones incarcerated at the jail. The mail is a good resource for maintaining that line of communication. Incoming and outgoing mail will not be rejected on the basis of its contents unless the mail falls under one of the following criteria:

• Any material which contains obscenity, sexually explicit, blackmail, contraband, or threats
• Any material which contains plans of criminal activities, maps, or plots to escape, and any material which communicates information designed to encourage inmates to disrupt the jail by strikes, riots, fights, racial or religious hatred, or other prohibited acts
• Any publication which may adversely affect the security of the jail or the safety of the persons therein
• Newspaper or magazine clippings from outside publications
• No construction paper, card stock or sketch paper
• No greeting card
• Paper with any coloring or markings
• Photos will be photocopied, the original will be placed in the inmate's property and the photocopy will be delivered to the inmate
• Publications which advocate the violent overthrow of the government of the United States or of a state, or which advocate violence or rebellion against government authority, under which the inmate is held
• Publications which violate USPS regulations
• The Regional Jail will not accept items for inmates that are free or incentives for purchasing or receiving publications or other items

Correspondence that does not conform to these restrictions will be returned to sender.

Telephone - Each inmate in general housing is afforded access to telephone services. Calls may be made to family, friends, attorneys, parole officers, bondsmen, etc. These calls are collect calls to the other party and there are no restrictions on the number of calls an inmate may make so long as all inmates have reasonable equal access to the telephone.

Each inmate in general housing is afforded access to telephone services and access hours are usually between 8:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. During this time frame calls may be made to family, friends, attorneys, parole officers, bondsmen, etc. These calls are collect calls to the other party and there are no restrictions on the number of calls an inmate may make so long as all inmates have reasonable equal access to the telephone.

Property - When Items Will Be Accepted. Accepted items will be received in the lobby:

• Monday through Friday
• 8 a.m.- noon
• 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Accepted Medical Items - Medically necessary items will be accepted at any time.

Approved Property Items

• Approved commissary items from a transferring jail
• Approved medications and eyewear
• Legal materials
• Medical alert bracelet or necklace
• One religious medallion (must be the appropriate size)
• Personal funds
• A plain wedding band (no raised stones)

Pre-Approved Items - Visitors may bring pre-approved items for inmates including:

• Anything specifically pre-approved by the Jail Administration.
• Magazines, newspapers, and books must be sent directly from the publisher and must be specifically addressed to an inmate
• One set of Court clothes (for Circuit Court only)
• Pre-approved legal materials and religious material in reasonable quantities
• Visitors may not bring inmates stamps, photographs, cards, magazines, etc.
• Medical items (inmate must submit request slip for approval through the Medical Section)