How to deposit funds, commissary, and payment options
Red Onion State Prison uses ConnectNetwork for both prepaid phone (AdvancePay) accounts and PIN Debit deposits. Set up a prepaid phone plan through ConnectNetwork or by calling 1 (800) 483-8314. For PIN Debit deposits, select "VA," then "Department of Corrections," and enter the inmate's 7-digit state ID number. Methods, processing times, and fees vary by vendor and account type. Have the inmate's full name and ID ready, and confirm which account you're funding—phone, commissary, or tablet. If a deposit doesn't post, contact the vendor or the facility's finance/commissary office. Note: ConnectNetwork/Telmate disclosed a 2020 data breach affecting some users.
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Use the ConnectNetwork deposit portal and select “VA,” then “Department of Corrections.” You’ll need the inmate’s 7-digit state ID number and the inmate’s full name as listed by the facility.
Yes. Prepaid phone (AdvancePay) accounts are handled through ConnectNetwork, either in the portal or by calling 1 (800) 483-8314 to set up a pre-pay phone plan.
Yes—ConnectNetwork/Telmate disclosed a 2020 data breach that exposed user information. If you used the service, check vendor notices and follow any recommended protective steps.
If you're talking by phone with someone in a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) facility, assume the call is being recorded. The only exception? Attorney calls with proper protections in place.
Prison calls can be confusing—especially when legal privacy is on the line. At Red Onion State Prison, attorney calls work differently from regular inmate calls thanks to something called a "recording block."
If your loved one is at Red Onion State Prison, they're automatically enrolled in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) telephone system when they enter DOC custody. The funding options below are what VADOC describes for its facilities. One caveat: if someone is in DOC custody but housed in a local jail, that jail's phone rules and payment setup may differ.
