Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA

Regional facilities typically house inmates who have been convicted of a misdemeanor and have been sentenced to less than 12 months in jail. In most cases, these regional facilities are joint facilities shared between multiple counties. Most of the time, people who have been arrested by the Sheriff’s Department and convicted of a misdemeanor will be transferred to a regional facility for the length of their stay. Inmates convicted of a felony are usually transferred to a Virginia prison.

Some regional facilities are private jail facilities. The cost of these facilities is usually shared between the counties that use them. Criminals who are originally placed in city jail can sometimes end up at a regional facility as well. These are criminals who have been convicted of a petty crime, like shoplifting or resisting arrest.

Most of the policies and procedures at regional facilities are in line with other Virginia facilities. Inmates are allowed to make phone calls, receive visitors, send and receive mail, and have access to other privileges. Most regional facilities also have a few rehabilitation programs available to help these inmates re-enter the community successfully.

How To Locate An Inmate At Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA

Most regional facilities have an online inmate locator tool that allows you to easily find an inmate through an online search. Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA has one of these tools available, and you can access it here. When you get ready to search for an inmate, you will need their first and last name at a minimum. If you have access to their inmate ID, this will make the search quicker and more accurate.

If you do not have an inmate ID, you can search through the online tool using a first and last name. Upon locating the inmate, the online tool will present many pieces of information about the inmate from the inmate database. This often includes a booking photo, important dates related to the inmate, possibly an arrest form, and the details of the charges against the inmate. Most inmates at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA have already been convicted of a crime, so there is usually no bail bond amount available.

Finally, if you are unsuccessful in locating the inmate through the online tool, you can call the facility at 757-539-3119. The more information you have about the inmate, the easier it will be to locate them. At a minimum, you will need their first and last name. If you have their inmate number, date of birth, or other information, that will also be helpful.

Visitation Information

Visitation is allowed at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA, and there are strict rules in place that govern how visitation will take place. Visitation will occur on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The facility will also have visiting hours on holidays, but you should call the facility at 757-539-3119 for the holiday visitation schedule.

Before you come to visit an inmate, you will need to be on the approved visitation list. You will need to complete a form with some basic information such as your name, address, and other background information. A background check will be conducted, and you will not be placed on the list if you are a convicted felon. Once you are on the list, you may attend visitation hours as long as you follow the rules.

Be prepared to show a valid photo ID upon your arrival at the facility. If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter. Minors under the age of 16 do not need a photo ID, but they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Next, you are not allowed to bring anything into the facility other than your car key and identification. No food, drinks, cell phones, or other items are allowed. Attempting to smuggle contraband into the facility will result in criminal charges and a revocation of your visitation rights.

You can bring up to $20 into the facility for use in the vending machines in the visitation area. When visitation begins, a brief hug or handshake is allowed. No further physical contact will be allowed during the visit. Visits will be limited to one hour, although visits with an attorney can be scheduled to exceed this limit.

No revealing, suggestive, obscene, low-cut, see-through, or other inappropriate clothing may be worn. No swimsuits, spandex, spaghetti straps, or stiletto heels are allowed. Undergarments must be worn at all times. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a revocation of your visitation privileges.

How To Send Mail/Care Packages To An Inmate

Inmates at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA may receive mail, but the rules are strict. Incoming mail is limited to plain white postcards that are no larger than 4” x 6” in size. These postcards may contain writing in pencil or blue or black ink. The cards should be metered by the post office, with no stamps, stickers, or additional attachments. You should send the postcards to the following address:

Inmate’s Full Name
Inmate Number
Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA
2402 Godwin Blvd
Suffolk, Virginia 23434

Remember that all incoming mail is subject to inspection and being read by the jail staff. Content of the writing should never include any threats of violence or any other topics that could be considered to jeopardize the safety and security of the prison or any other person.

Inmates are allowed to send mail from Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA to friends and family. Inmates will need to purchase stationery and stamps from the facility commissary. If they are indigent and have no money, a small postage allowance will be provided so that they can communicate with family members.

Packages are generally not allowed, although there are a few exceptions. Medical equipment or clothing for an inmate’s release may be sent to the facility. However, you need to coordinate this with the appropriate staff at the facility. You should always call 757-539-3119 before sending a package to an inmate. This will ensure that the items are approved and that the inmate receives the package. You may be able to send some personal items as well, but these packages should come directly from the supplier.

Phone Calls

Inmates have access to phones to call outside the facility. The hours for phone usage are typically limited to evening hours and weekends. All phone calls from inmates at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA must either be placed as collect calls or paid for using money on the inmate’s account. There are also phone services available that can help decrease the cost of these calls.

Phone calls are limited to 30 minutes in duration, although calls may be limited to 10 minutes during busy periods. If an inmate needs to schedule a call with an attorney, they should speak to the jail staff to schedule a call on an unmonitored line. Otherwise, all calls made by inmates will be monitored by jail staff.

Incoming calls for inmates at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA are not allowed. You cannot call the facility and ask to speak with an inmate. If you have an emergency and need to speak with an inmate, you can call the facility at 757-539-3119 and leave a message for the inmate. You will need to leave your full name, and the message will be passed to the inmate as soon as possible.

Money/Commissary Information

Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA has a commissary at which inmates can shop and buy items for themselves. These items may include snacks, female hygiene items, soap, shampoo, or other small items that an inmate may wish to have. To buy these items, an inmate will need money in their commissary account or trust account.

You may deposit money into an inmate’s account at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA by bringing a money order to the facility at 2402 Godwin Blvd , Suffolk, Virginia 23434. Some people choose to add money to these accounts during visitation since they are already at the facility. There is generally a limit to how much money may be placed onto the account at one time. This limit is usually around $200.

You can also send money electronically through Western Union or MoneyGram. You will need the inmate’s first and last name along with their inmate ID number. Call the facility at 757-539-3119 to obtain the proper receipt number so that your money is sent to the correct place.

You can also mail a money order to the facility at 2402 Godwin Blvd , Suffolk, Virginia 23434. Make sure you do not send cash or personal checks. Clearly note the inmate’s name and ID number on the money order so that it gets posted to the correct account.

Rehabilitation Programs Offered At Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA

Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA has several programs available to help inmates prepare for their release back into the community. Since most offenders at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA have been sentenced to 12 months or less, there is little need for extensive rehabilitation programs.

The most common program that inmates take advantage of is the substance abuse program. Many inmates at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA have suffered from drug or alcohol addiction, and these programs can help them prepare for a clean and sober lifestyle. Completing the substance abuse program sets them up for success upon their release. There are a few different options available, and inmates can choose which one they wish to participate in.

Mental health programs are also available at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA. Addiction often goes hand-in-hand with mental illness, so many inmates participate in both the substance abuse program and mental health programs. These programs can teach inmates new ways of thinking and how to cope with their illnesses.

If an inmate wishes to further their education, there are adult education classes available that can help them earn their GED. This program can help them be prepared to get a job upon their release, and this option greatly reduces their recidivism rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I send books and magazines to an inmate?

Yes, you can send books and magazines to an inmate. However, only paperback books, magazines, and newspapers may be sent. These items must come directly from the publisher, as they cannot be sent from a private party. No hardcover books or spiral-bound books are allowed. Books and magazines may not contain any obscene or explicit material. Inmates also have access to books and magazines in the library at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA. The library contains both educational books and fiction books that can be read for entertainment.

How can I call an inmate at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA?

You cannot call an inmate at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA. Incoming calls to inmates are prohibited at the prison. Inmates may place outgoing calls as long as the call is paid for by the inmate or by the recipient of the call. If there is an emergency and you need to speak with an inmate right away, you must call the facility at 757-539-3119 and leave a message for the inmate. For instance, you may call and leave a message if there is a death in the inmate’s immediate family. The staff will pass along the message to the inmate as soon as possible.

How can I find out if an inmate has visitation privileges?

The easiest way to determine whether an inmate has visitation privileges is to call the facility at 757-539-3119. You can provide the inmate’s full name to the jail staff, and they can tell you whether that inmate has visitation privileges. All inmates generally have visitation privileges unless those privileges have been revoked for some reason. Privileges may be revoked for bad behavior, fighting, not following the visitation rules, or other reasons that the administration believes are necessary.

Who can I contact to discuss medical issues?

You should contact the staff at Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA to discuss medical issues. If an inmate has medical issues, they will be provided with medical services to meet their needs. In the event they need medication or medical equipment, you should contact the facility staff as soon as possible to coordinate the delivery of their medication or equipment.

In the event of an emergency, Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA has medical staff available to treat inmates who need it. In some cases, an inmate may be transferred to a nearby hospital if the medical issue warrants that action. They will be accompanied by a guard or police officer, but they will receive the medical attention they need.

How do I stop calls coming from Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA?

If you continually get calls from Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ) - VA, you should work with your phone service provider to block the facility’s number. On a landline phone, you can dial *60 and walk through the steps to block a number. If you are receiving calls on your cell phone, you can easily block a number on most smartphones today.

If you have attempted to block the number without success, you may have another option. If it is the same inmate who keeps calling, you should contact the facility staff and inform them of the situation. They can either remove your name from the inmate’s call list or revoke the inmate’s phone privileges.