Penmate Inmate Support Guides
← Back to Deerfield Correctional

Visitation at Deerfield Correctional

How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements

Overview

Visiting at Deerfield Correctional is more flexible than it used to be. As of June 1, 2023, you no longer need to be on an inmate's approved visiting list before applying for in-person visitation. Visitor applications are handled centrally—expect about 45 days for in-state applicants and about 90 days for out-of-state. The online application takes 20–30 minutes and can't be saved as a draft, so have the inmate's name or ID, your photo ID, and your Social Security number ready before you start. Once approved, schedule visits through the Visitation Scheduler up to 14 days ahead, with a maximum of one visit per weekend. Arrive about an hour early, bring a valid photo ID that matches your application, follow the dress code (neck to kneecaps, footwear required), and leave watches and wearable tech behind. Note that in-person visits have occasionally been canceled while video visits continued.

Find an Inmate at Deerfield Correctional

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

Quick Facts

  • As of June 1, 2023, visitors are not required to already be on an inmate’s approved visiting list to be approved for in-person visitation at Deerfield.
  • Visitor application processing typically takes about 45 days for in-state applicants and 90 days for out-of-state applicants.
  • Approved visitors must schedule visits online using the Visitation Scheduler up to 14 days in advance and are allowed a maximum of one visit per weekend.
  • Bring at least one valid photo ID that matches your application; follow the dress code (coverage from neck to kneecaps, footwear required) and do not wear watches or other wearable technology.

Visitation Guides

deerfield-how-to-apply-for-visitation

How to Apply for Visitation at Deerfield Correctional: What You Need and How Long It Takes

This guide is for you if you're applying to visit someone at Deerfield Correctional through the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) online system. Bringing a minor? They'll need to be included on an adult's application, so this covers that too. If your loved one is in a local or regional jail rather than a VADOC facility, that facility will have its own separate process.

Common Questions

Do I need to be on an inmate’s approved visiting list to visit at Deerfield Correctional?

No. As of June 1, 2023, Deerfield no longer requires you to already be on an inmate’s approved visiting list to be approved for in-person visitation.

How long does the visitation application and approval process take for Deerfield?

The Central Visitation Unit typically processes applications in about 45 days for in-state applicants and about 90 days for out-of-state applicants. The online application usually takes 20–30 minutes and can’t be saved as a draft, so gather your required details before you begin.

What should I bring and what rules do I need to follow when arriving for a Deerfield visit?

Bring at least one valid government photo ID that matches your application (for example, a driver’s license, passport for non-U.S. residents, or military ID). Arrive about one hour early for security screening, follow the dress code (coverage from neck to kneecaps and footwear required), and don’t wear watches or other wearable technology; no food or vending machine access is allowed in visiting areas.

Other Guides for Deerfield Correctional

deerfield-mail-photos-what-happens

What Happens to Your Letters and Photos After They're Mailed to Deerfield Correctional

When you mail a letter or photos to someone at Deerfield Correctional, they won't receive your original pages or envelope. VADOC photocopies all incoming general correspondence and delivers only the copies to inmates. Mail can be opened, searched, and read by staff during processing. That's standard for facility mailrooms — so avoid sending anything you'd be uncomfortable having reviewed. What your loved one actually receives is a black-and-white copy of what you sent, not the original.

View all guides