Pocahontas State Correctional Center
Pocahontas State Correctional Center is a level 3 facility that is located outside of Pocahontas, Virginia. This prison can house a maximum of 1,034 inmates and is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Prison Insights
Pocahontas State 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 are on Saturdays and Sundays at Pocahontas State Correctional Center. The visiting schedule rotates, so call the facility to find out your inmate's specific visiting times.
Video visits are also available through a partnership with Assisting Families of Inmates (AFOI). As a family or friend of an inmate, you can meet with your incarcerated loved ones remotely, and reduce the cost of traveling long distances. Video visit hours are between 9 am and 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Applying for Visitation
All visitors must be approved by the Virginia Department of Corrections before visiting an inmate at Pocahontas State Correctional Center.
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, you must include a Notarized Statement – Minor Visitor form.
After the DOC processes your application (including a background check), you will receive an email informing you of your application's approval or explaining the reason(s) for disapproval.
For video visits, you can initiate the application process. First, go through the Virginia Department of Corrections' standard visitation application process. Once approved, mail the completed video visitation application with the fee to the appropriate AFOI video visitation center. Find more information on video visitation fees on the AFOI website.
What to Bring to a Visit
All adult visitors must have a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms 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. You may also be subject to 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 property locked in your vehicle. You can not bring in food, cash money, checks, money orders, or lottery tickets. No cell phones, electronic devices, smart watches, or wearable technology.
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 with symbols or signs with inappropriate language or graphics is prohibited.
Physical Address
Pocahontas State Correctional Center
317 Old Mountain Road
Pocahontas, VA 24635
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/SutcqgvB4jhxq8q47
General Phone Number
(276)-945-9173
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate name and DOC number
Pocahontas State Correctional Center
P.O. Box 518
Pocahontas, VA 24635-0518
Inmates at Pocahontas State Correctional Center receive photocopies of their mail, not the originals. Prison staff shreds all original 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 Pocahontas State 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
To send money to an inmate at Pocahontas State Correctional Center, 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.
- 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: Inmates focus on how to effectively deal with feelings of anger.
Building Maintenance and Repair: Students learn how to repair electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and air conditioning systems and complete carpentry, masonry, and general everyday maintenance repairs.
Companion Animal Visitation: This program allows companion animals to be brought into the facility for visiting with offenders.
Computer Aided Design: Students learn to produce a complete and accurate set of drawings based on the ideas and sketches of engineers, architects, and designers. They also learn how to draw and prepare detailed mechanical and architectural plans.
Floor Covering: Students are introduced and exposed to various aspects of the floor covering industry, such as blueprint reading & estimation, ceramic tile installation, resilient tile installation, sheet goods (vinyl) installation, and carpet Installation.
Graphic Communications and Print Production: Students acquire entry-level skills for a job in the printing industry. Areas of instruction include: computer software, copiers, and plate making (paper and computer generated); operation of sheet-fed offset press and printers; operation of collator, knife, stapler, numbering machine, hole punch and folder, as well as other various printing equipment.
High School Equivalency: Adult secondary level instruction that ends when offenders pass the GED exam.
Motorcycle Repair: Students learn to diagnose, repair, and perform maintenance on motorcycles. They learn to work on various types and brands of motorcycles using various engine configurations and are taught the theory of internal combustion for both two- and four-cycle engines, electrical theory, as well as respective motorcycle component functions.
Pipe Fitting: Students learn to use basic hand and power tools used in the pipe fitting industry. Course instruction covers the use of different types and schedules of steel pipe and fittings, hangers and supports, steel pipe fabrication, copper tubing installation, welding, and use of an oxyacetylene torch.
Plumbing: This course is a basic overview of residential and commercial plumbing systems. Students learn how to assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, fixtures, water, and drainage systems, according to specifications and plumbing codes.
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: A money management video program that covers 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.
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.
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: The goal of this course is to decrease criminal thinking through cognitive behavioral changes and skill development.
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 Pocahontas State Correctional Center
Careers at Pocahontas State 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 Pocahontas State Correctional Center, click here.
