River North Correctional Center
River North Correctional Center is a level 4 prison that is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections. It is located in Independence, Virginia and can house approximately 1,000 male inmates. River North opened in 2013 and is one of the newer facilities in the state. It's also one of the most technologically advanced prisons in the commonwealth.
Prison Insights
River North Correctional Center
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Visiting hours are on Saturdays and Sundays at River North 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). 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 River North 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 must first go through the Virginia Department of Corrections' standard visitation application process. Once you are approved, mail the 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.
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
River North Correctional Center
329 Dell Brook Lane
Independence, VA 24348
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/G6cGNR9ucSZ3K8Nk7
General Phone Number
(276)-773-2518
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate name and DOC number
River North Correctional Center
329 Dell Brook Lane
Independence, VA 24348
Inmates at River North Correctional Center receive photocopies of their mail instead of 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 River North 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 River North 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).
Cognitive Behavior Interventions for Substance Abusers: An evidence-based substance abuse program designed specifically for correctional populations.
Graphic Communications and Print Production: Students receive training for a job in the printing industry. They learn about 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.
HVAC and Refrigeration: Students get real-life experience in corrective and preventive maintenance for domestic, industrial, commercial, and residential HVAC appliances and equipment.
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.
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.
Resources for Successful Living: Seminars that 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).
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 River North Correctional Center
Careers at River North 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 River North Correctional Center, click here.
