Virginia Correctional Center for Women

Virginia Correctional Center for Women is a level two prison for female inmates that is located in Goochland, Virginia. This facility is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections and can house a maximum of 590 inmates.

This facility opened in 1931, and it sits on 260 acres. There are 30 buildings on camp, including five housing units. Virginia Correctional Center for Women has a 140-bed substance abuse program. There is also a mandatory six-week pre-release program.

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Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at Virginia Correctional Center for Women are on Saturdays and Sundays. The schedule does rotate, so call the facility to get information about your inmate's specific visiting times.

Applying for Visitation

You must get approval from the Virginia DOC before you are allowed to visit an inmate at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women. 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. 

What to Bring to a Visit

All adult visitors must have a valid photo ID to visit an inmate. Acceptable forms of identification 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. 

The only items visitors are allowed to take into the visiting room are: 

  • 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 

You must keep all property locked in your vehicle. Visitors are not allowed to bring in food, cash money, checks, money orders, or lottery tickets. No cell phones or electronic devices.

Dress Code

All visitors must follow the dress code. You must be covered from the neck to the kneecaps, and you must also wear underwear and footwear. Clothing with symbols or signs with inappropriate language or graphics is prohibited.

Physical Address

Virginia Correctional Center for Women
2841 River Road
Goochland, VA 23063

Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/qEe3YDMChR3TUCTc7

General Phone Number

(804)-556-7500

Inmate Mailing Address(es)

Inmate name and DOC number
Virginia Correctional Center for Women
P.O. Box 1
Goochland, VA 23063

Inmate mail can be letters (limited to three pages, front and back), greeting cards, postcards, and appropriate photos (no pornographic, obscene, or offensive imagery).

However, the inmates 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.

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 Virginia Correctional Center for Women, 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 Virginia Correctional Center for Women, there are a few different 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

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).

Behavioral Correction Program: A substance abuse treatment program that circuit court judges can directly sentence qualified inmates to.

Beyond Trauma: This program provides various gender-responsive, strength-based approaches for women. It aims to empower and help female inmates recover from trauma in their lives. 

Business Software Applications: This program teaches proficiency with the Microsoft Office application suite and transferring those skills and techniques to practical applications. Students study basic computer network concepts and software installation, configuration, and keyboarding skills.

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abusers: This program is designed specifically for prison inmates and focuses on skill-building activities to assist with cognitive, social, emotional, and coping skill development.

Commercial Foods: Students learn to prepare foods for restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating establishments. They learn to use 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 computer skills. Emphasis is placed on using the computer and software to apply word processing and spreadsheet skills and basic use of the internet.

Cosmetology: Students acquire basic skills, safety knowledge, proper work habits, and the desirable attitudes necessary to obtain licensure in cosmetology or a related career field. Students perform basic manipulative skills in the areas of hairstyling, hair shaping, hair coloring, texture services, scalp and hair conditioning, skin and makeup, manicures, pedicures, and nail extensions.

High School Equivalency: Adult secondary level instruction that ends when offenders pass the GED exam.

Horticulture: This course covers greenhouse and nursery management and production. Units of instruction include greenhouse structures, plant propagation and production, plant growth and development, pest management, soil nutrition and fertilization, and business management skills.

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, as well as oral and written business communication skills.

Making It on Supervision: This program helps inmates in the intensive re-entry units to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete parole.

Mothers Inside Loving Kids (MILK): This program offers support to maintain nurturing relationships with the inmate and their children. The goal of this program is to strengthen family ties.

Parenting: This program aims to enhance parent-child relationships and strengthen families. Inmates learn basic parenting skills, including 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): This program 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 program 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.

Reentry Money Smart – Making Cents Out of Your Finances: This video program teaches inmates money management. Segments include: 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.

Revitalization Training: The purpose of this program is to review the Virginia Department of Corrections' reentry initiative with inmates and ensure that they have a clear understanding of the Cognitive Community Model and its purpose.

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

Substance Abuse 12-Step: AA and NA are twelve-step programs with a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems. 

Substance Abuse Matrix Model: This program provides treatment for clients dependent on stimulant drugs.

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 centers around 10 core crime topics, including assault, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, drunk and impaired driving, homicide, hate and bias, robbery, gang violence, and property crime. 

Pictures of Virginia Correctional Center for Women

Careers at Virginia Correctional Center for Women

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

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