The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WV DCR) is the state agency responsible for operating West Virginia's prisons, regional jails, and juvenile facilities. An agency within the state Department of Homeland Security, it is headquartered at 1409 Greenbrier Street in Charleston, West Virginia. Unlike most states, West Virginia operates a unified system in which the same agency runs both the regional jails (which hold pretrial detainees and short-sentence individuals) and the state prisons (which hold sentenced felons). If you have a loved one in WV DCR custody, this guide explains how to find them, stay connected, and understand the programs available.
About the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The WV DCR oversees a combined population that recently included approximately 4,814 individuals in regional jails, 4,888 in prisons, 378 in work release, and 297 in juvenile centers. The agency operates ten regional jails across the state — the first, Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg, opened in May 1989 — along with several state correctional facilities and juvenile centers. Some facilities, including South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, North Central Regional Jail in Moundsville, and Eastern Regional Jail in Martinsburg, also participate in the federal ICE detention program.
The agency's main phone number is 304-558-2036, the fax is 304-558-5934, and its official website is dcr.wv.gov. The records-on-file figure associated with this listing reflects historical booking records accumulated over time, not the current population.
In June 2024, the DCR published its policy directives on its own website for the first time in its history — a transparency milestone that allows families to read the actual rules governing visitation, mail, phone calls, and discipline. These policy handbooks are an invaluable resource for understanding exactly what is and isn't allowed at a specific facility.
How to Find an Inmate in West Virginia DCR
The WV DCR provides inmate and resident search tools through its website at dcr.wv.gov. Because the agency runs both jails and prisons, the search covers individuals in either setting. You can search by:
- The person's name
- Their DOC/DCR ID number
You can also search PrisonAssist.com for historical booking records, or use VINELink (vinelink.com) for custody status tracking and notifications. If you cannot locate someone or need help, call the WV DCR at 304-558-2036. Keep the ID number handy once you have it — it is required for visiting, mail, phone account setup, and money deposits.
Because regional jails process pretrial detainees, the search tool is also useful for families of someone recently arrested — if a person could not post bond, they will appear in the appropriate regional jail.
Visiting Someone in West Virginia DCR
Visitation procedures vary between regional jails and state prisons, and between facilities. To visit:
- You must generally be on the incarcerated person's approved visiting list.
- Each facility maintains its own visiting schedule — confirm on dcr.wv.gov or by calling the specific facility.
- Many WV facilities use video visitation, especially the regional jails. Video visits may be available both on-site and remotely from your own device for a fee.
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, dress conservatively per the dress code, and ensure minors are accompanied by an approved adult.
Because the DCR has published its policy directives online, you can read the specific visitation policy for the facility where your loved one is held — a valuable way to know the rules before you travel. Always confirm current visiting status, as it can be modified due to operational needs or lockdowns.
Sending Mail to West Virginia DCR Inmates
To send mail to someone in WV DCR custody:
- Address mail to the inmate's full committed name, DCR ID number, and the facility's mailing address (found on dcr.wv.gov).
- Include your full return address.
- All incoming mail is inspected for contraband. No cash, stamps, stickers, or items that could carry drugs.
- Legal mail is handled separately and must be clearly marked.
Like many systems, the WV DCR has implemented mail-screening procedures at some facilities to combat drug-laced paper, which may route general correspondence to a processing center. Check the published policy directives or call the facility for current mail procedures. PrisonAssist.com offers a letter service that formats and mails correspondence to meet facility requirements.
Phone Calls in West Virginia DCR
The WV DCR uses ICSolutions (Inmate Calling Solutions) for telephone services. To receive calls from someone in WV DCR custody:
- Set up an account with ICSolutions at icsolutions.com or by calling their customer service line.
- Fund your account and register your phone number.
- The incarcerated person can then call you, with charges deducted from your account.
- All calls except confidential legal calls are recorded and monitored.
Call rates and any free-call allowances are posted on the ICSolutions and WV DCR websites. West Virginia, like many states, has faced scrutiny over correctional phone rates, and reforms have aimed to make staying in touch more affordable.
Sending Money to West Virginia DCR Inmates
Money deposited into an inmate's account can be used for commissary purchases, phone credits, and other approved expenses. Deposit options typically include:
- Online: Through ICSolutions or the WV DCR's approved deposit vendor — usually the fastest method.
- By phone: Call the approved deposit vendor to make a credit/debit card deposit.
- By mail or kiosk: Send a money order following DCR instructions, or use a lobby kiosk where available.
Always include the inmate's full name and DCR ID number with any deposit, and keep your receipts. Confirm the current approved deposit vendor on dcr.wv.gov.
Programs and Rehabilitation in West Virginia DCR
The WV DCR has invested in evidence-based programming to reduce recidivism, including through the state's Justice Reinvestment Initiative:
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Treatment units and recovery services addressing the addiction crisis that heavily affects West Virginia, including dedicated substance abuse treatment programs.
- Cognitive Behavioral Programs: Interventions targeting criminogenic needs and criminal thinking.
- Day Report Centers: Community-based centers providing treatment and recovery services as alternatives to incarceration and supports for reentry.
- Educational Programs: GED preparation and adult basic education.
- Vocational Training: Job-skills programs preparing individuals for employment after release.
- Nonviolent Offense Parole Program: A program designed to facilitate parole for eligible nonviolent offenders, reflecting the state's reinvestment approach.
West Virginia's Justice Reinvestment Initiative has been credited with helping manage the population through assessment and treatment of behavioral health and substance abuse needs — an approach widely seen as a positive development in a state hit hard by the opioid epidemic.
Understanding West Virginia's Unified System and Bail
Because West Virginia operates a unified system, individuals arrested and unable to post bond are held in regional jails run by the same agency that runs the prisons. Bond is set at arraignment based on the charges and risk factors. Families can post bond directly or through a licensed West Virginia bail bondsman (typically a 10% non-refundable premium). For sentenced individuals, the West Virginia Parole Board determines parole eligibility and release; program participation and a solid reentry plan factor into decisions. The Nonviolent Offense Parole Program offers an expedited path for eligible individuals.
West Virginia in the National Context
West Virginia's unified corrections system, heavy investment in substance abuse treatment, and recent move toward policy transparency reflect a state working to address the addiction crisis driving much of its incarceration. The publication of policy directives online in 2024 was a notable step toward accountability. Families can stay informed through dcr.wv.gov and the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, which has compiled DCR policy directives for public access.
Using West Virginia's Published Policy Directives
One of the most valuable resources for families of WV DCR inmates is the agency's published policy directives, made publicly available on its website for the first time in June 2024. These documents spell out the actual rules governing visitation, mail, telephone access, commissary, discipline, grievances, and more. Before a visit, before sending mail, or if you have a concern about how your loved one is being treated, you can consult the relevant policy directive to understand exactly what the rules require. The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy has also compiled these directives for easy public access. Knowing the rules empowers families to advocate effectively and to file grievances or raise concerns through the proper channels when policies are not being followed.
Substance Abuse, Reentry, and Family Support in West Virginia
West Virginia has been hit especially hard by the opioid epidemic, and addiction underlies a large share of the state's incarceration. The WV DCR's investment in substance abuse treatment, day report centers, and the Justice Reinvestment Initiative reflects an effort to treat the root causes of crime rather than simply incarcerate. Families can support recovery by encouraging participation in treatment programs and by preparing a substance-free, recovery-supportive environment for their loved one's return. As release approaches, the West Virginia Parole Board reviews eligible cases, and the Nonviolent Offense Parole Program offers an expedited path for qualifying individuals. Day report centers provide community-based treatment and supervision that can support both alternatives to incarceration and successful reentry. Ask the assigned case manager about program participation, parole eligibility, and the reentry resources available in the community where your loved one will return. Stable housing, connection to ongoing treatment, and family support are the strongest predictors of a successful, lasting reentry.
The Regional Jail System and What to Expect
West Virginia's ten regional jails are the entry point into the corrections system for most people arrested in the state. Because the same agency runs the jails and the prisons, an individual may move from a regional jail (while awaiting trial or serving a short sentence) to a state correctional facility (if sentenced to a longer term) without changing agencies — though the specific facility, rules, and location will change. Families should use the inmate search and VINELink to track any movement between facilities and update their visiting, mail, and phone arrangements accordingly. Regional jails tend to rely heavily on video visitation, while state prisons may offer more in-person options; confirm what is available at the specific facility. Throughout the process, the published policy directives at dcr.wv.gov remain your best guide to the applicable rules, and the assigned case manager is your best point of contact for questions about classification, programming, and release planning.
Final Guidance for Families of WV DCR Inmates
For families with a loved one in West Virginia's corrections system, a few principles will serve you well throughout the process. First, use the publicly available policy directives at dcr.wv.gov to understand the exact rules — this transparency, new as of 2024, is a powerful tool for informed advocacy. Second, stay connected: set up your ICSolutions account early and use VINELink to track any movement between regional jails and state facilities. Third, engage with the case manager regarding classification, programming, and release planning, and encourage participation in substance abuse and cognitive-behavioral programs, which support both rehabilitation and parole prospects. Finally, plan early for reentry — given West Virginia's challenges with addiction and rural access to services, a stable, recovery-supportive home environment and connection to ongoing treatment are the strongest foundations for a successful return. Family support, consistent communication, and careful preparation make a measurable difference in outcomes.
Support Resources for Families
- WV DCR Main Line: 304-558-2036 | Fax: 304-558-5934
- Official Website & Policy Directives: dcr.wv.gov
- Status Tracking: vinelink.com
- ICSolutions (Phone): icsolutions.com
- Legal Aid of West Virginia: lawv.net
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone help
Inmate service providers at West Virginia Division of Corrections (WV DOC)
Like most US jails and prisons, West Virginia Division of Corrections (WV DOC) relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves West Virginia Division of Corrections (WV DOC)? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.