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Search Roanoke City County, VA Jail & Inmate Records

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To find inmate records in Roanoke City (an independent city, not a county) in Virginia, you can use both online and offline resources. Online, you may start with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Offender Locator available at https://vadoc.virginia.gov/offender-resources/offender-search/, which provides statewide inmate information. For local inmates held at the Roanoke City Jail, you can visit the Western Virginia Regional Jail's website (http://westernvaregionaljail.org/) and use their Inmate Search feature. Offline, you can visit or contact the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, located at 340 Campbell Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24016, or call them at (540) 853-2941; they can provide information or direct you to the appropriate resources for inmate status and visitation rules. Public records requests related to inmates can also be submitted through the City of Roanoke’s Clerk of Circuit Court office. Always have the inmate’s full name or booking details ready to help staff locate the records more efficiently.

How to Find an Inmate in Roanoke City County, VA

Public access to inmate records in Roanoke City, Virginia, is available online, but the right search tool depends on whether the individual is held in the local jail, a Virginia state prison, or in federal custody. Use the following resources for your search:

Search ToolRecords AvailableAccess MethodKey Details
Roanoke City Jail / Sheriff or Police Dept.Local jail inmatesCall (540) 853-2941 or visit Roanoke City Sheriff's OfficeFor individuals arrested or detained locally; address: 340 Campbell Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016.
Virginia DOC Inmate LocatorState prison inmatesOnline at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/offender-locator/Search for inmates in Virginia Department of Corrections custody (state prisons only).
VINE Inmate SearchLocal and state inmatesOnline at vinelink.comVictim notification network; provides custody status for local and state offenders.
Federal BOP LocatorFederal inmatesOnline at bop.gov/inmateloc/No federal prisons in Roanoke; most federal offenders from Virginia are housed in regional facilities like USP Lee (Lee County).
In-Person Records RequestLocal jail/judicial recordsVisit Roanoke City Jail or Clerk’s OfficeIn-person inquiries at 340 Campbell Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016; bring government-issued ID.

Booking Process & Common Charges in Roanoke City County

After an arrest in Roanoke City County, individuals are transported to the jail where they undergo fingerprinting, photographing, a medical screening, and are then assigned housing. The entire booking process typically takes 4–8 hours.

Charge CategoryCommon ExamplesFrequencyTypical Hold Duration
DUI / TrafficDriving under the influence, Reckless drivingHigh8–24 hours or until sober/arraignment
Drug OffensesPossession, DistributionHigh1–3 days (longer if awaiting court)
Assault / Domestic ViolenceSimple assault, Domestic batteryModerate1–5 days (varies by court schedule and severity)
Property CrimesLarceny, Burglary, VandalismModerate2–7 days (may be longer if unable to post bond)
Failure to AppearMissed court dateHighUntil next available court date or posting of bond
Outstanding WarrantsPrevious unresolved warrantsVery HighUntil warrant is resolved, bond posted, or transfer occurs
Felony (Pre-Trial)Robbery, Aggravated assaultModerateHeld until trial or transfer; sentenced offenders are transferred to a state facility

Visitation Rules at Roanoke City County Jail

Before visiting an inmate at Roanoke City County Jail, please verify the current visitation rules with the facility and ensure you are on the inmate's approved visitor list.

Visitation Schedule

DayVisiting HoursVisit TypeNotes
MondayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
TuesdayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
WednesdayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
ThursdayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
FridayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
SaturdayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility
SundayConfirm with facilityIn-Person/VideoConfirm with facility

Visitation Requirements

RequirementDetails
IDValid government-issued photo identification required.
Dress CodeModest, non-revealing clothing; no gang insignia or offensive graphics.
Prohibited ItemsNo phones, cameras, bags, weapons, or contraband allowed in visitation area.
Visitor Approval ProcessAll visitors must be pre-approved and listed on the inmate’s visitation list.
Children PolicyMinors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.
Attorney / Clergy VisitsScheduled separately; must provide proper credentials and coordinate with facility.

How to Contact an Inmate at Roanoke City County Jail

Inmates at Roanoke City County Jail can be contacted by phone, physical mail, and digital messaging. All communications are subject to monitoring and review by facility staff.

Mailing Address Format:
[Inmate Full Name, Booking ID]
[Roanoke City County Jail]
5885 West River Rd, Salem, VA 24153

MethodHow It WorksSetupRules / Restrictions
Phone CallsInmates make outbound calls via [Provider] phone system.Friends/family must create an account with [Provider].Calls are recorded; durations and schedules may be limited.
Physical MailLetters sent using the facility's mailing address.No setup needed; address mail properly as specified.No contraband, drawings with inks, or unauthorized items.
Digital MessagingSend/receive electronic messages through [Provider] platform.Create an account with [Provider].Content monitored; may incur per-message fees.
Video CallsSchedule and attend video visits using [Provider] video service.Register and schedule online with [Provider].Appointments required; time and frequency limits apply.

Parole, Release & Reentry Resources in Roanoke City County

The Virginia Parole Board oversees parole decisions for state-sentenced offenders, providing supervision and conditional release. Local reentry support in Roanoke City County is available through Virginia Department of Corrections programs and community-based agencies.

Program / ResourceDescriptionWho It ServesContact / Access
Virginia Parole BoardReviews and determines parole eligibility and release for eligible offenders.State-sentenced inmatesVirginia Parole Board
(804) 674-3081
Good Time / Sentence ReductionAllows eligible offenders to earn sentence reductions for good behavior and program participation.State-sentenced inmatesVADOC Good Time Info
(804) 674-3000
Parole Supervision (Roanoke)Community supervision and support for parolees to ensure compliance and successful reentry.Parolees in Roanoke City CountyVADOC District 15 Office
314 Luck Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 857-6720
Reentry HousingAssistance connecting returning citizens to transitional and supportive housing options.Returning citizensVirginia CARES Roanoke
(540) 342-9344
Employment AssistanceJob readiness, placement, and vocational training specific to justice-involved individuals.Returning citizensVirginia Career Works - Blue Ridge
(540) 613-8222
Benefits RestorationSupport in reinstating Medicaid, SNAP, and other public benefits after release.Returning citizensVirginia Reentry Initiative
(804) 887-8084
VINE Victim NotificationAutomated system for crime victims to receive status notifications about inmate parole and release events.Crime victimsVirginia VINE
(888) 846-3418, TTY (866) 847-1298

Roanoke City Incarceration Statistics

Roanoke City, Virginia, faces higher crime rates than the state average, with property and violent crimes being ongoing concerns. The city does not operate its own jail; instead, inmates are housed at the Roanoke City Jail and the Western Virginia Regional Jail.

Crime Statistics

Crime CategoryReported IncidentsRate per 100,000% of TotalTrend
Violent Crime (total)692644.213%↑ Increasing
— Assault535498.410%↑ Increasing
— Robbery127118.52%→ Stable
— Homicide3027.91%↑ Increasing
Property Crime (total)3,8633,592.072%↓ Decreasing
— Theft / Larceny2,7232,531.751%↓ Decreasing
— Burglary708658.313%↓ Decreasing
— Vehicle Theft432402.08%↑ Increasing
Drug Offenses476443.69%→ Stable
DUI / Traffic189176.04%↓ Decreasing
Domestic Violence252234.65%→ Stable

Inmate Demographics

Demographic CategoryBreakdownNotes
Gender77% Male, 23% FemaleStatewide average used
Age Groups18-24: 19%, 25-34: 28%, 35-44: 26%, 45+: 27%Statewide average used
Race / Ethnicity52% Black, 45% White, 3% OtherStatewide average used
Top Offense TypesDrug, Property, Assault, Probation ViolationStatewide average used
Avg. Sentence Length3.1 yearsStatewide average used
Recidivism Rate23.1% (within 3 years)Statewide average used

How Many Inmates Are Currently in Roanoke City County?

As of the latest estimates, Roanoke City County houses approximately 390 inmates in local custody. Sentenced individuals requiring longer incarceration are typically transferred to state facilities.

Facility TypePopulation% of TotalAvg. Daily CostCapacity Utilization
County Jail (Pre-Trial)22056%$7885%
Sentenced Offenders (local, short-term)9023%$7280%
Transferred to State Facility4512%N/AN/A
Federal Holds103%$8260%
Juvenile / Youth256%$21045%
Total390100%N/A80%

Roanoke City County Facility Directory

Roanoke City County operates one correctional facility, which is a regional jail serving local detainees. The county does not have a standalone county jail, youth facility, work release center, or specialty facility.

Facility NameTypeLocationCapacityPopulationSecurity Level
Roanoke City Jail (Western Virginia Regional Jail)Regional Facility5885 West River Rd, Salem, VA 241531,000~800Medium/Maximum

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