What to Do When Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Amherst's Website Won't Load

Right now, several Blue Ridge Regional Jail pages are returning a 403-style

Need to confirm whether someone is in custody or where they're housed? A public-facing OMS web jail tracker is usually the quickest workaround. For Blue Ridge Regional VA Amherst, the OMS tracker page is currently showing: "An unhandled error has occurred. Reload." The same thing is happening on the OMS tracker page for Blue Ridge Regional VA Bedford - which suggests the problem is on the tracker side, not just one location. Because nearby BRRJ locations use the same OMS service, it's still worth checking again later. Just don't treat a failed load as proof someone isn't there.

S3

• ✓ Reload the page (a couple times, spaced out by a minute)
• ✓ Try a different browser (or update the one you’re using)
• ✓ Open the page in a private/incognito window
• ✓ Clear your browser cache and cookies, then retry
• ✓ Switch networks (Wi‑Fi to mobile data, or mobile data to Wi‑Fi)
• ✓ Try a different device (phone vs. computer, or another phone)

These quick checks help rule out common false alarms. A cached error page or broken cookie can keep sending you back to the same failure even after the site recovers - private/incognito mode bypasses a lot of that. Switching browsers or devices confirms whether the problem is on your end or the site's. Changing networks matters too: your internet provider, workplace network, or a security setting might be blocking the site.

S4

• ✓ Full-page screenshot showing the URL and the visible error message
• ✓ The exact error text copied/pasted (if you can select it)
• ✓ Date and time you tried (include your time zone if you’re sharing it)
• ✓ The exact page you were trying to open (save the raw URL/path)
• ✓ Browser name and version (Chrome/Safari/Firefox, etc.)
• ✓ Device type (iPhone/Android/Windows/Mac) and whether you were on Wi‑Fi or mobile data
• ✓ A short list of what you already tried (reload, incognito, different browser/device, network switch)

When you report a broken page, these details let someone reproduce the problem fast. The screenshot proves what you saw and which page it was on. The time stamp shows whether the issue is ongoing or intermittent. Browser, device, and network info matters because some failures are specific to one setup while others point to a broader outage. Listing your troubleshooting steps prevents you from getting sent back to do the same basics again.

While the official BRRJA pages are throwing 403 errors, your best "check again" option is the public OMS jail tracker - especially for custody status or location. The Amherst tracker page is currently showing "An unhandled error has occurred. Reload," but it can start working again without warning. No results? Try the Bedford tracker page too, since it's part of the same OMS service and may come back at a different moment. If both show the same unhandled error, you're likely looking at a system-side issue. Document it and circle back later.

If your issue involves an existing account for deposits or services (not just reading BRRJA's informational pages), check any vendor emails or receipts you have and use the help options tied to that account. For example, the JailATM deposits site footer identifies "JailATM™ ©2026 Tech Friends, Inc." That doesn't confirm what BRRJA uses for every service, but it can help you recognize the platform if it matches what you've used before. Already have an AdvancePay account through ConnectNetwork for phone-related services? Their policy states accounts can become inactive and subject to forfeiture after 180 consecutive days of inactivity (unless a different period is governed by law or contract). ConnectNetwork also states that refunds can be obtained by calling customer service at 877-650-4249. Use that number only for ConnectNetwork-related account questions - it's not the jail's contact line.

Tried a few retries and basic fixes but the outage is still blocking something time-sensitive - like planning a visit, sending mail, or figuring out phone options? Escalate after repeated attempts over several hours, or the next business day if you're hitting this late at night. Start with contact points you already have saved or verified previously: paperwork from the jail, prior emails, or an official voicemail you've used before. Keep your message tight: include the exact page you were trying to open, what the error said, the date and time, and a screenshot showing the URL and message. Add your device, browser, and whether you were on Wi‑Fi or mobile data, plus the troubleshooting steps you already tried. That's the fastest way to get past "have you tried reloading?" and into an actual fix.

S7

• ✓ Confirm you’re seeing the 403 message “Access to this page is forbidden” (for example on /acadc-2 or /inmate-visitation)
• ✓ Take a screenshot that shows both the URL and the error message
• ✓ Try the OMS jail tracker for Amherst; if it fails with “An unhandled error has occurred. Reload,” note the time and try again later
• ✓ Switch to a different browser or use a private/incognito window
• ✓ Try a different network (Wi‑Fi vs. mobile data) or a different device
• ✓ Write down what you tried so you can share it if you need to escalate