Keen Mountain Correctional Center
Keen Mountain Correctional Center is a level 4, close custody prison for male inmates that is located in Oakwood, Virginia. This facility can house a maximum of 880 inmates and is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Inmates at Keen Mountain are separated and housed in different populations. There is the general population, re-entry general population (inmates with less than two years remaining on their sentence), segregation, STAR, and minimum-security Cadre inmates who work in the commissary.
The facility is surrounded by multiple razor wire fences and four guard towers. Staff does possess non-lethal weapons inside the prison (which is extremely rare), and there are gun ports in the control rooms of each housing unit.
Inmates at Keen Mountain are housed in cells. Because of the violence at this facility the majority of the programming is done via video, mail, and small group settings.
Prison Insights
Keen Mountain Correctional Center
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours at Keen Mountain Correctional Center are on Saturdays and Sundays. The visiting schedule rotates based on the first letter of an inmate's last name. Please call Keen Mountain directly to find out the current visit schedule.
Applying for Visitation
Before you can visit your inmate, you must submit an application to the Virginia DOC and go through a background check. You can submit a visitation application online. Minor visitors must attach their application to an adult application.
If you are not the minor's parent or legal guardian, include a Notarized Statement – Minor Visitor form. You will receive an email informing you of your application's approval or explaining the reason(s) for disapproval.
Video Visitation
Video visits are available at Keen Mountain Correctional Center via a partnership with Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI). Submit the standard visitation application to the DOC and get approval first. Then, mail a completed video visitation application with the fee to the appropriate AFOI video visitation center.
AFOI visitation centers host video visitation on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can view the current list of AFOI visitation centers and find more information on video visitation fees on the AFOI website.
What to Bring to a Visit
A valid photo ID is required to visit an inmate. Acceptable forms of ID are: Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or an official picture ID issued by a federal or state agency. Before entering the visiting room, you will be searched by electronic scanning and detection devices, pat-down frisk searches, and contraband detection canines.
Visitors can't take anything into the visiting area except:
- A 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
- Essential items for infant feeding
Keep all other property locked in your vehicle. Do not bring packages, food, cash money, checks, money orders, lottery tickets, negotiable items, or any other item into the visiting room.
Dress Code
All visitors must follow the dress code. Clothing must cover you from the neck to the kneecaps. You must also wear underwear and footwear. Clothing can't be inappropriate in any way. It can't contain symbols or signs with inappropriate language or graphics. No smart watches or wearable technology is allowed.
Physical Address
Keen Mountain Correctional Center
State Route 629
Oakwood, VA 24631
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/wPnMbHKrsmswcqWu5
General Phone Number
(276)-498-7411
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate name and DOC number
Keen Mountain Correctional Center
P.O. Box 860
Oakwood, VA 24631
Inmates at Keen Mountain Correctional Center do not receive their original mail. They only receive photocopies. Prison staff members shred the original envelope and mail contents, including personal photos after they are copied. Watch this video to see how the Virginia DOC distributes mail.
Three 8.5”X 11” photocopied black and white pages, front and back, are allowed per mailing, including a copy of the envelope. You may send letters, greeting cards, postcards, and appropriate photos (no pornographic, obscene, or offensive imagery).
The following items will be rejected:
- Money orders, cash, checks, or other items of monetary value (send money to an offender with JPay)
- Postage stamps, prepaid postage envelopes and 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 Keen Mountain Correctional Center, but they do have access to phones during daytime hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Virginia, please click here.
How to Send Money
Keen Mountain Correctional Center uses JPay for inmate accounts. To send money to your inmate, use one of the following options:
Online or Mobile App: The fastest way to send money is by using a credit or debit card and making an online payment or using the JPay mobile app (Android, Apple iOS).
Phone: Call JPay at 1 (800) 574-5729 to make payments anytime 24/7.
Money Order: Send all money orders with a deposit slip to:
JPay
P.O. Box 278170
Miramar, FL 33027
Cash: Make a cash deposit at any MoneyGram agent location (including Walmart and CVS Pharmacy). View the list of nearby MoneyGram locations.
Programs For Inmates
Adult Basic Education: Students learn literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. ABE students graduate to adult secondary studies in preparation for High School Equivalency (HSE).
Aggression Alternative Skills: This program focuses on how to effectively deal with feelings of anger.
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Substance Abusers: A substance abuse program designed specifically for prison inmates. The program focuses on skill-building activities to assist with cognitive, social, emotional, and coping skill development.
Cognitive Self Change: Inmates learn techniques that promote positive thinking and behavior. The goal of this program is to support inmate treatment plans and reduce their risk for recidivism.
Computer Literacy: Students learn basic skills for computer literacy. Emphasis is placed on word processing and spreadsheet skills and basic use of the internet.
Decision Points: Participants are equipped 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.
Electricity: Students learn about the opportunities available in the wide variety of electrical occupations, including residential wiring, commercial electricity, and industrial motor control technology. Participants study the basic concepts of electricity and master the competencies necessary to prepare them for the entry-level position of “electrician’s helper.”
High School Equivalency: Adult secondary level instruction that ends when offenders pass the GED exam.
High Security Intensive Re-entry Programs: The goal of these programs is to prepare offenders for success once they are released into the community. These programs are for inmates whose security level prevents them from transferring to an intensive re-entry site.
Parenting: Inmates learn basic parenting skills. Topics covered are: 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.
Preventing Relapse by Educating for Parole Success (PREPS): Helps inmates address physical, emotional, psychological, and physiological issues that may affect their successful adaptation to society upon release.
Ready to Work: Participants in this course 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: Participants watch 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 Planning: Inmates plan for their release by working on various aspects of life. Topics include education, finances, employment, relationships, and physical health and develop long-term goals in each area.
Resources for Successful Living: This program helps inmates identify 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.
Special Education: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that meet the needs of inmates who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
STAR Program: Inmates who do not have active behavior or assaultive problems, but refuse to enter the general population are motivated and equipped with skills to safely enter the general population housing environment.
Substance Abuse Matrix Model: This program uses a model incorporated with elements of relapse prevention, cognitive behavior, psychological education, and family approaches.
Thinking for A Change: The goal of this course is to decrease criminal thinking through cognitive behavioral changes and skill development.
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 upon their release.
Victim Impact – Listen and Learn: This program focuses on offender accountability, impact of crime on victims, the “ripple effect” of crime, and victims’ rights.
Pictures of Keen Mountain Correctional Center
Careers at Keen Mountain 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 Keen Mountain Correctional Center, click here.
