22 Prisons in Virginia: Exploring the Correctional System

Prisons in Virginia have been a topic of debate and scrutiny for many years. As of 2021, Virginia has a total of 40 state-run prisons, holding approximately 30,000 inmates. The state’s prison system has faced challenges such as overcrowding, inadequate healthcare, and allegations of mistreatment of prisoners.

In recent years, efforts have been made to reform the state’s prison system, including measures to reduce the prison population and improve conditions for inmates.

Despite these efforts, Virginia’s prison system remains a complex and controversial issue, with ongoing debates over the role of prisons in society and the effectiveness of various approaches to criminal justice.

This article will explore the history of Virginia’s prisons, current issues facing the system, and the ongoing efforts to reform and improve the state’s correctional institutions.

State Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Augusta Correctional Center	Augusta County, VA	1323	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Keen Mountain Correctional Center	Oakwood, VA	1200	Maximum	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Pocahontas State Correctional Center	Tazewell County, VA	1000	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Red Onion State Prison	Wise County, VA	800	Supermax	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
River North Correctional Center	Grayson County, VA	1024	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Wallens Ridge State Prison	Big Stone Gap, VA	700	Maximum	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Buckingham Correctional Center	Dillwyn, Buckingham	1215	Close	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Coffeewood Correctional Center	Mitchells, Culpeper	1193	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Dillwyn Correctional Center	Dillwyn, Buckingham	1106	Close/Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Fluvanna Correctional Center	Unincorporated Fluvanna County	1199	Close	Female	Virginia Department of Corrections
Lunenburg Correctional Center	Victoria, Lunenburg	1185	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Nottoway Correctional Center	Burkeville, Nottoway	1193	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Correctional Center for Women	Central Virginia, between Maidens and Goochland	1240	Close	Female	Virginia Department of Corrections
Deerfield Correctional Center	Capron, Southampton County, Virginia	1069	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Greensville Correctional Center	Greensville County, Virginia	3082	Maximum	Various	Virginia Department of Corrections
Haynesville Correctional Center	Richmond County, Virginia	1036	Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Indian Creek Correctional Center	Chesapeake, Virginia	1002	Close/Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
St. Brides Correctional Center	Chesapeake, Virginia	986	Minimum	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Sussex I State Prison	Sussex County, Virginia	1095	Maximum	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections
Sussex II State Prison	Sussex County, Virginia	1352	Close/Medium	Male	Virginia Department of Corrections

Augusta Correctional Center

Augusta Correctional Center is a state prison located in Augusta County, Virginia. It was opened in 1986 and is owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. The facility has a working capacity of 1323 prisoners held at a medium security level.

The prison is designed to provide educational and vocational programs to inmates, with a focus on reducing recidivism rates. In addition, Augusta Correctional Center offers substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and other counseling programs to help inmates successfully transition back into society.

The prison is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates, with a focus on rehabilitation and reducing the likelihood of future criminal behavior.

Keen Mountain Correctional Center

Keen Mountain Correctional Center is a level 4, maximum security correctional facility located in Oakwood, Virginia. This prison first opened its doors in 1990 and is designed to house up to 1200 adult male offenders.

The facility is equipped with advanced security features, including a perimeter fence, electronic detection systems, and surveillance cameras, all of which are monitored around the clock to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff.

Keen Mountain Correctional Center offers a range of educational and vocational programs designed to help inmates develop essential skills and prepare for their eventual release. These programs include adult basic education, GED preparation, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.

The facility also provides healthcare services to its inmates, including medical, dental, and mental health care.

Pocahontas State Correctional Center

The Pocahontas State Correctional Center is a medium-security prison situated on 35 acres of land in Tazewell County, Virginia. Constructed at a cost of $68.6 million, the facility was completed in 2007 and began operations in September of the same year.

The prison has a maximum capacity of 1,000 inmates in the general population and 24 inmates in the segregation units. It is expected to employ 330 people.

As a medium-security facility, Pocahontas State Correctional Center houses inmates who have committed non-violent offenses or those with a low to moderate risk of reoffending.

Red Onion State Prison

Red Onion State Prison is a supermax state prison located in Wise County, Virginia, near Pound. The Virginia Department of Corrections operates the facility, which can hold approximately 800 inmates.

The prison opened in August 1998 and served as the primary model for Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, which opened the following year. Red Onion State Prison is designed to house the most dangerous and violent criminals in Virginia.

Inmates are confined to their cells for most of the day and have limited access to outside communication or activities. The facility has been subject to criticism and controversy due to its strict policies and conditions.

River North Correctional Center

River North Correctional Center is a state prison located in Independence, Grayson County, Virginia. It is owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and was opened in 2013.

The facility has a working capacity of 1024 prisoners and is classified as a medium security-level prison for men. The prison provides a range of programs and services, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services, aimed at promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.

The facility is staffed by trained professionals who work to maintain a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates.

Wallens Ridge State Prison

Wallens Ridge State Prison is a maximum-security facility located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It houses around 700 inmates and has been a part of the Virginia Department of Corrections since its opening in April 1999.

The prison was built at a cost of over $70 million and is identical in design to the nearby Red Onion State Prison. With almost 800 employees, the facility is a significant employer in the region. As a level 5 state prison, Wallens Ridge is designed to hold inmates with a history of violence or those who pose a significant risk to society.

The prison’s mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff while also offering educational and rehabilitative programs to prepare inmates for successful reentry into society.

Buckingham Correctional Center

Buckingham Correctional Center is a state prison located on 968 acres outside the town of Dillwyn in Buckingham County, Virginia. This facility is designed to house close-custody male inmates and is considered a Security Level 3-4.

Inmates at this prison are assigned to Single, Multiple, or Life assignments based on their behavior and history. To be transferred to a less-secure facility, inmates must have exhibited no disruptive behavior for at least 24 months prior to consideration.

Buckingham Correctional Center is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates while also offering rehabilitation and educational programs to help prepare them for their eventual release.

Coffeewood Correctional Center

Coffeewood Correctional Center is a state prison located in Mitchells, Culpeper County, Virginia, which is owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. It was opened in 1994 and has a working capacity of 1193 prisoners held at a medium security level.

The facility is designed to house male inmates, and it provides a variety of programs and services to help them with their rehabilitation and reentry into society. These programs include educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The prison also has a variety of security measures in place to ensure the safety of both staff and inmates. Overall, Coffeewood Correctional Center plays an important role in the criminal justice system of Virginia by providing a secure and controlled environment for the incarceration and rehabilitation of offenders.

Dillwyn Correctional Center

Dillwyn Correctional Center is a state prison located in Dillwyn, Buckingham County, Virginia. It is one of the many facilities owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.

The prison was established in 1993 and currently houses a daily working population of 1106 male inmates, who are held at various security levels. The facility specializes in handling parole violators and offers vocational training programs, including a metal shop.

Buckingham Correctional Center, another state prison, is located nearby. The primary focus of Dillwyn Correctional Center is to provide a secure and safe environment for inmates, staff, and visitors while preparing inmates for their eventual release back into society.

Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women

Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women is a security level 3 facility located in unincorporated Fluvanna County, Virginia. Operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections, it has a Troy postal address and is situated approximately 55 miles northwest of Richmond.

As of June 2008, the prison housed 1,199 female inmates, and in the past, it served as the location for the women’s death row in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The prison provides various educational and vocational programs to help inmates acquire new skills and prepare for reentry into society.

It also offers a range of healthcare services, including mental health care, dental care, and substance abuse treatment. Overall, Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women is an important institution in Virginia’s correctional system, providing a secure and safe environment for female offenders while also helping them to make positive changes in their lives.

Lunenburg Correctional Center

The Lunenburg Correctional Center is a state prison located in Victoria, Lunenburg County, Virginia. It has been owned and operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections since its opening in 1995.

The facility houses male inmates at various security levels, with a daily working population of 1185. As a correctional center, its primary focus is to provide supervision and care for the inmates while ensuring public safety.

The center has a range of programs designed to help inmates rehabilitate and prepare for re-entry into society. It also provides job training and education opportunities to help inmates develop skills that can be used upon their release.

The Lunenburg Correctional Center serves as an important part of the Virginia Department of Corrections’ efforts to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.

Nottoway Correctional Center

Nottoway Correctional Center is a state prison located in Burkeville, Nottoway County, Virginia. It is an all-male facility with a low-security work center on the same site. As a Level 3 security facility, Nottoway houses inmates serving long-term sentences, including single, multiple, and life sentences.

In order for an inmate to be considered for transfer to a less-secure facility, they must exhibit no disruptive behavior for at least 24 months. While the facility is designed to provide a secure environment for inmates, it also offers various educational and vocational programs to help inmates prepare for life after release.

Nottoway Correctional Center is part of the Virginia Department of Corrections, which is responsible for the custody and care of over 30,000 inmates across the state.

Virginia Correctional Center for Women

The Virginia Correctional Center for Women is a state prison facility exclusively for women in Virginia, USA. It is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and has been in operation since 1931.

The prison is located on US 522 / SR 6 in central Virginia, between Maidens and Goochland. State Route 329 is the entrance road to the facility and is maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The prison provides a range of programs and services to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of its inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The facility houses a diverse population of female offenders, including those serving short-term sentences, as well as those serving longer-term sentences for serious crimes.

Deerfield Correctional Center

Deerfield Correctional Center is a state prison for men located in Capron, Southampton County, Virginia. The facility was established in 1994 and has a capacity of 1069 prisoners.

The site is home to a special population of Geriatric and Assisted Living Inmates, including elderly, infirm, disabled, and other special-needs prisoners. The number of elderly prisoners has increased in Virginia’s inmate population since the abolition of parole in 1994.

Adjacent to the former Southampton Correctional Center, which was established in 1938 as an agricultural facility, Deerfield Correctional Center is a modern facility that offers a range of services and programs for its inmates. Southampton was closed in January 2009 and has been demolished.

Greensville Correctional Center

Greensville Correctional Center is a prison facility situated in unincorporated Greensville County, Virginia. It is located near Jarratt and is spread over a vast area of 1,105 acres. The facility is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and is known for housing the execution chamber.

Until the death penalty was abolished in Virginia in 2021, Greensville was the site where capital punishment was carried out by the Commonwealth of Virginia. The prison offers various programs for inmates, including educational and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

The facility also provides medical care, religious services, and recreational activities to the inmates. Greensville Correctional Center is a high-security prison with a serious approach to correctional services.

Haynesville Correctional Center

The Haynesville Correctional Center is a state-run facility in Richmond County, Virginia. It was established in 1993 to house male inmates of varying security levels.

Currently, the center has a daily population of 1141 inmates who participate in various programs, including vocational training and education. The facility is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and is staffed by highly trained professionals who ensure the safety and security of both the inmates and the public.

The Haynesville Correctional Center is committed to providing a safe and humane environment for inmates while also offering opportunities for rehabilitation and personal growth.

Indian Creek Correctional Center

The Indian Creek Correctional Center (ICCC) is a medium security state prison for men located in Chesapeake, Virginia, approximately 5 miles north of the North Carolina border. It was opened in 1994 and is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC).

The facility specializes in the long-term treatment of incarcerated substance abusers and houses inmates in dormitory-style quarters, split into six housing units. As of June 2008, the prison had an average daily population of 1,002 inmates.

The ICCC is adjacent to VADOC’s St. Brides Correctional Center, which houses inmates not requiring specialized treatment for substance abuse.

St. Brides Correctional Center

St. Brides Correctional Center is a medium-security state prison located in Chesapeake, Virginia. It was originally established in 1973 and underwent a complete reconstruction in 2007.

The facility is situated on 180 acres of land and is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. The prison is designed to house male inmates and is located in a rural area of the city, adjacent to the Indian Creek Correctional Center.

The current warden of St. Brides Correctional Center is Dara Watson. As a medium-security prison, the facility provides a secure environment for inmates while offering various programs to help them prepare for their eventual release back into society.

Sussex I State Prison

Sussex I State Prison is a maximum security facility located in Sussex County, Virginia. It opened its doors in May 1998 and serves as an intake facility.

The prison is adjacent to Sussex II State Prison and was home to the state’s death row for men from August 1998 until the abolition of the death penalty in July 2021. However, the actual execution chamber was located at the Greensville Correctional Center.

Sussex I State Prison is designed to house the state’s most dangerous offenders and has strict security measures in place. It is not open to the public and should be avoided by anyone without official business at the facility.

Sussex II State Prison

Sussex II State Prison is a high-security correctional facility operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. It is located in Sussex County, Virginia, near the town of Waverly.

The prison has a maximum capacity of 1,352 inmates and is classified as a security level 4 institution. It is adjacent to Sussex I State Prison, which shares the same building structure.

The facility offers vocational and educational programs to inmates, as well as re-entry services for those who qualify. Sussex II State Prison is one of only four state prisons in Virginia and plays an important role in the state’s corrections system.

Private Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Lawrenceville Correctional Center	Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia	1555	Medium	Male	The GEO Group (since 2003)

Lawrenceville Correctional Center

The Lawrenceville Correctional Center is a medium-security state prison for men located in Lawrenceville, Brunswick County, Virginia. Since 2003, the GEO Group has operated the facility under contract with the Virginia Department of Corrections.

The prison has a capacity to house up to 1555 inmates. It was completed in 1998 as the first private prison in Virginia and was managed by Corrections Corporation of America.

The facility offers various programs such as education, counseling, and vocational training to help inmates prepare for their eventual release. The prison also has a strict set of rules and regulations that all inmates must follow, and any violations can result in disciplinary action.

Federal Prisons

Prison Name	Location	Inmate Capacity	Security Level	Gender	Operator/ Manager
Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg	Prince George County, Virginia	1525	Low and Medium	Male	Federal Bureau of Prisons

Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg

The Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg is a federal prison located in Prince George County, Virginia, which houses low- and medium-security male inmates. It is part of the Petersburg Federal Correctional Complex and is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

The facility includes two different institutions: the Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg Low, and the Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg Medium. Additionally, there is a satellite prison camp that houses minimum-security male offenders.

FCC Petersburg is situated 25 miles southeast of Richmond, Virginia, the state capital, and is located just west of the independent city of Hopewell, Virginia.

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