How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at Chesterfield County Jail is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Chesterfield County Jail.

Frequently asked questions about Chesterfield County Jail

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Chesterfield County Jail.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to Chesterfield County Jail?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Chesterfield County Jail. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of Chesterfield County Jail?

   Mailing address:

   Chesterfield County Jail
   6900 Mimms Dr
   Chesterfield, VA 23832
   Phone: (804) 748-1476

   Business hours:

   • Monday: Open 24 hours
   • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
   • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
   • Thursday: Open 24 hours
   • Friday: Open 24 hours
   • Saturday: Open 24 hours
   • Sunday: Open 24 hours

5. What are the visiting hours at Chesterfield County Jail?

   Visiting hours at Chesterfield County Jail vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (804) 748-1476 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to Chesterfield County Jail?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with Chesterfield County Jail for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail?

   You can send money to an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At Chesterfield County Jail, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at Chesterfield County Jail?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact Chesterfield County Jail for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at Chesterfield County Jail, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

Chesterfield County Jail provides a wide range of programs and services to its inmates in an attempt to improve their overall well-being and reduce the chances of recidivism. One such program is the educational program. Through this program, inmates are given access to GED, adult basic education, and even vocational and technical training courses. This is aimed at providing them with the necessary skills and certifications that would help them secure jobs once they are released.

The jail also has a substance abuse treatment program that is available to any inmate struggling with addiction. The program has been designed to help individuals overcome their addiction issues from the root and equip them with the necessary tools to maintain their sobriety even after they are released from jail. The program includes individual counseling, group therapy, and support group meetings.

Additionally, Chesterfield County Jail has a mental health program. This program seeks to provide mental and behavioral healthcare to inmates suffering from conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Through this program, the inmates receive medical attention, counseling, and therapy, which enables them to improve their mental well-being.

Furthermore, the jail offers reentry programs, which prepare inmates for their transition from prison back to society. These programs include job search workshops, financial literacy training, and social skills development classes. The aim is to improve the chances of the inmate being able to secure and maintain employment, become productive members of society, and ultimately reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

In conclusion, Chesterfield County Jail offers an array of programs and services to ensure that its inmates are equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications that will make it easy for them to transition back into society. The programs and services are designed to improve the overall well-being and quality of life

Daily Life & Visitation

Life in Chesterfield County Jail is not easy, considering that being away from loved ones can negatively affect individuals mentally, psychologically, and emotionally. Moreover, confinement in cells that are mostly crowded, damp, and concrete-walled does not help the situation. Inmates live confined to four walls and very limited facilities, presenting the difficulty in feeling and practicing the “normal from outside” way of life practiced in the “free world.” As a result, adjusting to an atmosphere that doesn't allow for everyday norms can initially be jarring.

Inmates must daily depend on correctional officers for necessities like medication administration, basic hygiene supplies like showers and clean clothes, and when and what to eat. In the midst of life restricted by their cell mates, physical activity primarily scaled from walking in constrained spaces or playing floor-card games, both with the weighing imbalance of dangerous situations in dense jail lifestyles conducive to disturbances, stresses or exacerbated anxieties. Heads lay down at night, receiving messages associated with painfully poor outcomes impacted jail experience and encouraging destructive habits.

One issue individuals will likely encounter is the feeling of confinement. Even mutual areas offenders can count on feel diminiclised and packed. Meal circumstances imposes expectancy strains considering the predetermined hours workers abidance limitations, expectations of routine assistance distributions endure inflexibility. Prison exchanges accentuate the limited usable areas leading enhanced offender critique conflicts not conducive to the hustle-free, money-centered necessary environment often felt when buying products from providers outside the block. Overall life-in-confidence in regulation practices on paying out instead of employee exploitation, barbed-door-permit distribution or support undertaking while inmates concentrate and manage occupational opportunities, conform within given rank placement waiting for freedom as conditions able to alter drastically!