Where Is Your Loved One Being Held? Understanding Pittsylvania County's Use of Blue Ridge Regional Jail

Can't find your loved one at Pittsylvania County Jail? Overcrowding is likely the reason. The county jail has been over capacity since it opened in 1981 - it's currently running at 222% of its intended capacity. As a result, Pittsylvania County routinely houses 30–50 detainees off-site at Blue Ridge Regional Jail facilities. That means the "county jail" may not be where you'll need to call, visit, or send mail.

Facilities Used

• ✓ Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Lynchburg
• ✓ Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Amherst
• ✓ Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Bedford
• ✓ Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Halifax
• ✓ Blue Ridge Regional Jail - Rustburg

When Pittsylvania County uses Blue Ridge Regional Jail for overflow housing, the basics change - where you go, who you contact, and what rules apply. A visit that would normally be local might turn into a longer trip to one of the Blue Ridge sites. Visiting schedules and requirements can differ depending on which facility actually holds your loved one. Staying in touch works the same way. Phone access and mail handling vary by location, so what worked before may not match procedures at the Blue Ridge facility. With the county routinely housing 30–50 people off-site, your most important first step is always confirming the current location before making plans.

1. Confirm the current housing location - Ask whether your loved one is at the Pittsylvania County Jail or being housed at Blue Ridge Regional Jail, and if so, which site (Lynchburg, Amherst, Bedford, Halifax, or Rustburg).
2. Verify visitation hours and rules with the holding facility - Once you know the exact location, check that facility’s schedule and requirements before you go.
3. Confirm phone and mail procedures for that location - Rules and processes can differ by site, so verify what’s allowed and what information you need to include.
4. Re-check right before you leave - If you’re traveling any distance, confirm the location again so you don’t arrive at the wrong facility.

Want to understand how something works at the county level - policies, processes, or why the county does things a certain way? Pittsylvania County Public Relations runs a monthly "PittCo Mailbag" that answers resident-submitted questions. You can submit through the county's online form, and they publish Mailbag articles about once a month with selected questions and answers. Keep expectations realistic: submitting a question doesn't guarantee you'll get an answer, either in the column or directly. It's useful for general, non-urgent questions - but not a reliable way to quickly confirm where someone is being held.