Navigating DC's split pretrial/felony detention system requires knowing whether your loved one is at DC Jail or in the federal Bureau of Prisons. This guide covers both.
DC Jail (Central Detention Facility and CTF)
DC Jail — technically the Central Detention Facility (CDF) — is located at 1901 D Street SE, Washington DC 20003. The adjacent Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) houses federal pretrial detainees and some DC DOC populations. The general information line is (202) 698-4932.
Inmate locator: DC DOC provides an online inmate locator at doc.dc.gov (click "Inmate Locator"). You can search by name or DC DOC number. If your loved one was recently arrested in DC, they will appear here if they are at CDF or CTF.
If Your Loved One Is a DC Felony Convict in BOP
DC felony convicts serving sentences longer than one year are housed in federal BOP facilities anywhere in the country. Find them at bop.gov/inmateloc by name or BOP register number. Once you have the facility name, contact information for that specific BOP prison is listed on the BOP website.
Phone Calls from DC Jail
DC Jail uses GTL/ViaPath Technologies for inmate phone service. Create a free account at connectnetwork.com (GTL's consumer portal) and add funds. The inmate dials out; the cost is deducted from your account. Video calling is also available through the same platform — sessions must be scheduled in advance.
Sending Money
Use GTL/ViaPath at connectnetwork.com to deposit money to the inmate's DC DOC trust account. You need the inmate's DC DOC ID number. Funds are typically available within one business day. In-person cash deposits are accepted at lobby kiosks at CDF during business hours.
Visitation at DC Jail
Visits at CDF and CTF require advance scheduling through the DC DOC online scheduling portal at doc.dc.gov. Walk-in visits are not permitted. Visitors must be pre-approved on the inmate's visitor list. Rules:
- Valid government-issued ID required.
- Dress code: no clothing resembling inmate attire (khaki, orange).
- Visits are non-contact for most populations.
Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA)
If your loved one has been released from a DC sentence and is on community supervision, they are supervised by CSOSA — a federal agency. CSOSA's main office is at 800 North Capitol Street NW, Washington DC 20002. Supervision helpline: (202) 220-5300. CSOSA also connects clients to reentry services including housing, employment assistance, and substance abuse treatment.
Further reading for families
For practical guidance on supporting your loved one, see our step-by-step guides on how to bail someone out of jail, how to write a letter to an inmate, and why inmate phone calls are so expensive — and what families can do to reduce those costs.
Many of these services are run by private companies. See how the main providers work, including fees and how to sign up: Securus, ViaPath (GTL), JPay, Access Corrections, CorrLinks, GettingOut. For every phone, video, money, mail, and care-package company, browse our full inmate service provider directory.