FAQs

After arrest, the person will be taken in front of a magistrate to determine the bail amount and whether he or she will be committed to jail or released on his or her own signature.

The Intake section receives all inmates. Officers will inventory personal property and monies. Each inmate will be searched to prevent the introduction of contraband into the facilities. All inmate property is taken and secured as part of the process. Any necessary hygiene items will be supplied by the facility. Other items may be purchased through the commissary.

On the next scheduled Court day the inmate will be taken in front of a Judge for arraignment. This hearing determines bond and attorney status. The Judge may raise or lower the bond,  release the person on his or her own recognizance or remand the inmate to jail without a bond. The Judge also will appoint an attorney if a person cannot afford one. The courthouse is located at the Judicial Center, 5 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601.

If the inmate is not released on his or her own recognizance by the Judge, and a bond amount is set, anyone may come to the Adult Detention Center, 141 Fort Collier Road, Winchester, VA, to post bond. Bond may be posted in Court or at the Magistrate’s Office in the form of cash, property or through a bonding company. Bail Bond companies can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone book. No staff member of the Adult Detention Center can recommend a bail bonding company.

If an inmate is not released by the Court or bonded, he or she will be seen by the Classification Section within 72 hours. Classification will conduct a face-to face interview to ensure that medical, mental health and program needs will be met. The inmate is given an orientation that consists of issuance of the inmate handbook, visitor information, and program availability and medical screening. The inmate’s custody level is established, which determines appropriate housing in the facility.

Inmates may make an unlimited number of calls between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. No inmate may receive incoming calls. Emergency messages for inmates should be given to the Control Center Officer at 540-535-3800. All emergency messages are verified by staff before they are given to the inmate.

If you do not wish to receive calls from an inmate, follow the instructions on the phone system to block incoming calls, or contact ViaPath at 814-949-3303.

The Detention Center accepts money orders, cash, and credit/debit cards for inmates. No personal checks will be accepted. Money orders must be mailed to the facility and contain the inmate's first and last name and the first and last name of the sender. Cash deposits and credit/debit transfers are available at the Inmate Banking Kiosk located in our main lobby. The kiosk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The kiosk provides a receipt to the depositor

Incarceration can be upsetting and difficult for many people. If you know someone in jail who feels anxious, depressed or suicidal, please call the Adult Detention Center immediately at 540-535-3800 and report the situation to staff.

Medications must be confirmed as current and valid prescriptions. Medical records may be requested and the detention center’s physician will then determine if the medications will be continued.

Scheduled releases from the Adult Detention Center will begin at 6:00 a.m. each day. If an inmate is being released to another jurisdiction or facility or to the Department of Corrections the receiving agency must be contacted for information concerning the inmate.

To inquire about inmates incarcerated within the Department of Corrections call 800-467-4943 or 804-674-3000