Bland Correctional Center
Bland Correctional Center is a mixed-custody prison for male inmates that is located in Bland, Virginia. This facility opened in 1946, and is considered a level 1 and level 2 facility. It is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and can house approximately 650 inmates.
Prison Insights
Bland Correctional Center
Thank you for visiting us to better understand how inmates are treated while incarcerated at this institution. Please be sure to share this website with others so that we can spread the word and help to maintain rights for current and former inmates.
Please note that by checking the box below, you understand we will be contacting you via email to better understand how we can help you and where our data will be used.
After confirming by checking the box below and inputting your email address, please press "submit" and then click on "View Insights" for the area you'd like to reveal.
What Do Inmate Families Think?
What Do Former Inmates Think?
What Do Employees Think?
Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours at Bland Correctional Center are on Saturdays and Sundays, and the schedule rotates based on the first letter of the inmate's last name. Contact Bland Correctional Center directly for the current rotation schedule.
Applying for Visitation
Before visiting an inmate at Bland Correctional Center, you must submit an application and get approval from the Virginia Department of Corrections. You can submit a visitation application online.
Minors who wish to visit an inmate must have their application attached to an adult application. Complete the online visitation application and then follow the prompts to add a minor. If needed, you can add more than one minor to your application.
If you are not the minor's parent or legal guardian, permission must be documented on a Notarized Statement – Minor Visitor form.
What to Bring to a Visit
One form of valid picture identification that matches the information on your application is required to enter the visiting room. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver’s License
- Passport
- Military ID
- Other official picture ID issued by a federal or state agency
Dress Code
Everyone, including children, must follow the dress code when visiting an inmate at Bland Correctional Center.
- All clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps. You must also wear appropriate underwear, and footwear must be worn at all times.
- Attire can't be inappropriate in any way. It can't contain symbols or signs with inappropriate language or graphics. You can't wear smartwatches or any other wearable technology.
If your wardrobe is considered inappropriate, you will not be allowed to visit your inmate.
Video Visitation
The Virginia Department of Corrections offers video visitation in partnership with Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI). Family members and friends are able to initiate the video visitation application process.
First, submit the Virginia Department of Corrections' standard visitation application and get approval. Then, mail a completed video visitation application with the fee to the appropriate AFOI video visitation center. You can find more information on video visitation fees on the AFOI website.
AFOI visitation centers host video visitation on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hours may vary for the Bland Correctional Center. View the current list of AFOI visitation centers on the organization's website.
Physical Address
Bland Correctional Center
256 Bland Farm Road
Bland, VA 24315-9615
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/YoAKKgyh55RWQMQHA
General Phone Number
(276)-688-3341
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate name and DOC number
Bland Correctional Center
256 Bland Farm Road
Bland, VA 24315-9615
The Virginia Department of Corrections photocopies all incoming inmate mail at Bland Correctional Center. Only the photocopies are delivered to the inmate. Staff will shred the original envelope and enclosed mail contents, including personal photos after they are photocopied. Watch this video to see how the Virginia DOC distributes mail.
A maximum of three 8.5”X 11” photocopied black and white pages, front and back, are allowed per mailing. The copy of the envelope is included as one of the three front and back photocopied pages.
Accepted Mail:
- Letters
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Appropriate photos (no pornographic, obscene, or offensive imagery)
Rejected Mail:
- Money orders, cash, checks, or other items of monetary value (send money to an offender with JPay)
- Postage stamps
- Prepaid postage envelopes or postcards
- Nude or semi-nude images of anyone
- Contraband or other items not in compliance with Operating Procedure 802.1
How to Call an Inmate
You can't call an inmate at Bland Correctional Center, but they do have access to phones during certain hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Virginia, please click here.
How to Send Money
There are a variety of ways to send money to your inmate at Bland Correctional Center.
Online or Mobile App:
The fastest way to send money is by using a credit or debit card and making an online payment through JPay. To send money directly from a mobile device, download the JPay mobile app (Android, Apple iOS).
Phone:
Call JPay at 1 (800) 574-5729 to make payments over the phone any time 24/7.
Cash:
Make a cash deposit at any MoneyGram agent location (including Walmart and CVS Pharmacy). View the list of nearby MoneyGram locations.
Money Order:
Send all money orders with a deposit slip to:
JPay
P.O. Box 278170
Miramar, FL 33027
Please do not mail money, including checks, cash, and other items of monetary value to your inmate at Bland Correctional Center. They will be rejected.
Programs For Inmates
Adult Basic Education: This program provides instruction in literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. ABE leads to adult secondary studies in preparation for High School Equivalency (HSE).
Business Software Applications – Students learn business software applications and personal computer operations. This program focuses on proficiency with the Microsoft Office application suite. Students study basic computer network concepts and software installation, configuration, and keyboarding skills.
Chronic Disease Self-Management – Provides training in coping with frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; exercising; medication management; communicating with family, friends, and professionals; nutrition; and evaluating new treatments.
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abusers – An evidence-based substance abuse program designed specifically for prison inmates. It places heavy emphasis on skill-building activities to assist with cognitive, social, emotional, and coping skill development.
Commercial Foods – A program where students learn to prepare foods for restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating establishments. Students learn how to prepare foods using the different methods of food cookery, proper use and care of commercial food service equipment, and health and sanitation rules as they apply to food service.
Computer Literacy – Students learn basic skills for computer literacy. Emphasis is placed on using the computer and software to apply word processing and spreadsheet skills and basic use of the internet.
Decision Points – A cognitive-behavioral curriculum designed to equip participants with alternative ways to examine their thinking and the actions that lead them into trouble. The program targets antisocial thoughts and skill deficits through an interactive behavioral approach.
High School Equivalency – Adult secondary level instruction ends when offenders pass the GED HSE exam approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
Intro to Computers – Students receive instruction on the fundamentals of keyboarding and numeric data entry, file management, and navigation techniques of a Windows-based operating system.
Making It On Supervision – This program helps offenders in the intensive re-entry units to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete supervision.
Masonry – Students learn the fundamentals of laying building materials such as brick, block, and lintels to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, steps, chimneys, and flat paving. They will also learn how to read a basic set of plans accurately in order to properly measure distances from reference points and layout materials to establish the desired bond.
Parenting – Offenders learn basic parenting skills like how to communicate more effectively, realistic expectations of children, appropriate anger and stress management, alternative discipline methods, work toward a healthy self-esteem and how to build their child’s self- esteem.
Phases Toward Independent Living – This intensive, self-help program is designed for developmentally impaired male offenders. It provides knowledge, increases social skills, improves behavior and increases self-esteem to establish realistic goals and perform adult daily living skills on an independent basis.
Preventing Relapse by Educating for Parole Success – PREPS helps offenders address physical, emotional, psychological, and physiological issues that may affect their successful adaptation to society upon release. The program exposes participants to the realities of readjustment and to prepare them for the risky situations involved in returning to society.
PUPS – Inmates raise and train puppies to approximately 15 months of age so that they meet the criteria for Saint Francis of Assisi service animals. The animals will then serve the handicapped and disabled.
Ready to Work – Participants create resumes, conduct job searches, complete job applications, practice interviewing, learn about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, practice dealing with rejection, and learn job retention skills.
Re-entry Money Smart: Making Cents out of your Finances – This is a program that features financial and business professionals. Participants view short video segments, including: Understanding Your Paycheck, Planning for Rainy Days and Your Future, Managing Your Expenses Online, Borrowing and Paying Your Debts, and Living Within Your Means and Sharing With Others.
Re-entry Resource and Employment Fair – Introduces returning citizens to community organizations and agencies that provide post-release assistance and potential job opportunities.
Resources for Successful Living – Assists inmates with identifying and using resources for successful re-entry. Seminars cover topics like managing new relationships, maintaining health, and using resources like the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, etc.
Small Engine Repair – Students learn how to troubleshoot, repair, and perform maintenance on small gas powered engines. Some of the major areas of instruction include fuel systems, charging circuits, manual and electrical starters, ignition systems, overhauling small engines, lawnmower assemblies, chainsaws and chainsaw assemblies, maintaining outboard motors, organizing, planning, and business operations.
Special Education – Instruction that creates Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and meets the needs of individuals who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
Substance Abuse 12-step (AA and NA) – The twelve-step program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems.
Thinking for a Change – The Thinking for a Change (T4C) program is designed to teach offenders appropriate social skills, help them develop their problem-solving strategies, and teach them appropriate cognitive restructuring techniques.
Veteran's Support Group – This program helps participants to become aware of veteran’s' benefits, instructs them on how to access programs, builds self-esteem, self-sufficiency, and identifies available resources for veterans on release.
Pictures of Bland Correctional Center
Careers at Bland Correctional Center
If you are interested in a career with the Virginia Department of Corrections and would like more information about job listings at the Bland Correctional Center, click here.