How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
Red Onion State Prison follows Virginia's general visitation approach: both in-person and video visits are available, but visit types, days, hours, and length vary by location. Verify current rules before traveling or booking. Most visitors must submit a visitor application with background authorization to the Central Visitation Unit and wait for approval before scheduling. Out-of-state approvals can take longer. Video visits typically require at least 24 hours' advance scheduling, while in-person booking windows depend on the facility. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID that matches your application. Minors must be listed on an approved adult's application and visit with that adult. For phone funding, ConnectNetwork supports AdvancePay and online PIN Debit deposits. Note that ConnectNetwork disclosed a 2020 data breach affecting some users.
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Trying to stay connected with someone at Red Onion State Prison? The phone system is your most reliable option. Here's what you need to know about setting up funding and what to double-check before you spend money or wait for calls.
Start by submitting the visitor application and background authorization to the Central Visitation Unit, then wait for approval. Once approved, confirm Red Onion's scheduling rules. Video visits typically require at least 24 hours' notice, and in-person booking windows vary by facility.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID that matches your visitor application. You also need to be registered and approved before scheduling, and minors must be listed on and accompanied by an approved adult.
Add money to a prepaid phone account (AdvancePay) through ConnectNetwork, including setting up a pre-pay phone plan. For PIN Debit deposits online, select VA, then Department of Corrections, and enter the person's 7-digit state ID number. ConnectNetwork and Telmate disclosed a 2020 data breach, so follow any guidance if you're notified.
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 in a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) prison, they can only call numbers on their approved call list. Here's how the list works, what limits apply, and what to expect on your end.
