Cold Springs Correctional Unit

Cold Springs Correctional Unit is a minimum-security prison for male inmates that is located in Greenville, Virginia. This facility can house up to 250 inmates and is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. Inmates are housed in open-bay dormitories.

The inmates at Cold Springs work on the prison farm or on work release outside of the prison in the surrounding community. This prison farm employs inmates who raise and process cattle. There are also two hydroponic greenhouses that provide the inmates with veggies. A select group of inmates receive training and certification in fighting wildfires.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at Cold Springs Correctional Unit are on Saturdays and Sundays, and the schedule rotates based on the first letter of the inmate's last name. Call the Cold Springs Correctional Unit directly to find out their current visiting schedule.

Applying for Visitation

Before you can visit an inmate at Cold Springs Correctional Unit, you must get approval from the Virginia Department of Corrections. You can submit a visitation application online.

Minors visitors must have their application attached to an adult application. Complete the online visitation application and then follow the prompts to add a minor. You can add more than one minor to your application, if needed.

If you are not the minor's parent or legal guardian, permission must be documented on a Notarized Statement – Minor Visitor form.

Within 60 days of submitting your application, you should receive an email informing you of your approval to visit or explaining the reason(s) for disapproval. 

What to Bring to a Visit

All adult visitors must have a valid photo ID that matches the information on their application (acceptable forms of ID are Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or an official picture ID issued by a federal or state agency)

Visitors can't take any items into the visiting area except: 

• Their visitor's pass 
• A maximum of $20.00 in coins (no paper money) per adult visitor
• Personal vehicle key only (“keyless” keys are not authorized) 
• DOC locker key (if applicable) 
• Essential items for infant feeding to include one nursing cover for breastfeeding

All other property should be locked in your vehicle.

You can't bring packages, food, cash money, checks, money orders, lottery tickets, negotiable items, or any other item into the visiting room. Visitors who attempt to do this will have their visit terminated and may lose their visiting privileges.

All visitors are subject to search by electronic scanning and detection devices, pat-down frisk searches, and contraband detection canines. 

Dress Code

Everyone, including children, must follow the dress code when visiting an inmate at Cold Springs Correctional Unit.

• Clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps. 
• All visitors must wear underwear and foot wear. No bare feet are allowed. 
• Watches and all wearable technology devices (i.e. google glasses) are prohibited.
• Clothing that resembles offender clothing other than denim is prohibited. 
• The following types of clothing are not allowed: 
  • Tube tops, tank tops, or halter tops 
  • Clothes that expose a person’s midriff, side, or back 
  • Mini-skirts, mini-dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes (at or above the kneecap)
  • Form-fitting clothes such as leotards, spandex, leggings, and jeggings (Form-fitting clothes worn under clothing that covers from the neck to the kneecaps and otherwise meets the visitor attire requirements is permitted)
  • See-through clothing (Clothing that exposes the visitor’s undergarments, torso, and/ or skin above the knee caps is prohibited) 
  • Tops or dresses that have revealing necklines and/or excessive splits
  • Clothing that contains symbols or signs with inappropriate language or graphics, including gang symbols, racist comments, inflammatory communications, etc.
  • Coats, jackets, shawls, and scarves will be placed in an appropriate area designated by the facility

Video Visitation

The Virginia DOC offers video visitation in partnership with Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI). Submit the standard visitation application to the DOC 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 usually host video visitation on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. View the current list of AFOI visitation centers on the organization's website.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Adult Basic Education: Students learn literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. 

Decision Points: A cognitive-behavioral curriculum designed to teach inmates alternative ways to examine their thinking and the actions that lead them into trouble.

High School Equivalency: Adult secondary level instruction ends when offenders pass the GED The HSE exam is approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

Re-entry Money Smart – Making Cents out of your Finances: Participants watch short video segments with topics like: 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.

Special Education: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that meet the needs of inmates who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

Thinking for a Change: Teaches offenders appropriate social skills, helps them develop their problem-solving strategies, and teaches them appropriate cognitive restructuring techniques. 

Pictures of Cold Springs Correctional Unit

Careers at Cold Springs Correctional Unit

If you are interested in a career with the Virginia Department of Corrections and would like more information about job listings at the Cold Springs Correctional Unit, click here.