How to Contact an Inmate at Roanoke County Jail, Salem, Va (VA)

Reaching someone in jail is stressful, especially when you're figuring out what's allowed. For Roanoke County/Salem Jail, the clearest published details cover visitor check-in rules, screening procedures, and how confidential visits work for certain professionals. Where specifics are missing (like the current video visitation vendor), I'll flag exactly what to confirm before you rely on it.

Planning to visit? Bring proper identification for check-in. You'll also be searched by a jail staff member of the same sex. This is the part that catches first-time visitors off guard, so give yourself extra time and come prepared to follow the screening process.

Children under 18 can visit, but only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you're bringing a child, make sure their responsible adult is the one coming with them to the jail.

The jail allows confidential visits for inmates meeting with certain professionals: attorneys, bondsmen, doctors, ministers/priests, probation officers, psychiatrists/psychologists, rabbis, and social workers. There are also "special visits" through the video visitation system, but these require prior approval. To qualify, the inmate must meet specific conditions: being sentenced on all pending charges and incarcerated at least 30 days, being incarcerated for 6 months, awaiting transfer to a state facility, or being picked up by out-of-state officers.

Be cautious if someone contacts you claiming to be from the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office, especially if they demand money. The sheriff's office has posted alerts stating they will never call to request money for missed jury duty, court-ordered DNA testing, outstanding warrants, or sheriff sale information. Scam attempts may come from multiple phone numbers, including 540-986-4060 and 540-491-4320, ext. 2. The alert includes numbers to report these scams.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Bring proper identification for check-in.
• ✓ Be prepared for a search by a jail staff member of the same sex.
• ✓ Do not attempt to visit if you appear under the influence of an intoxicant (you can be denied and be subject to arrest).
• ✓ If a minor (under 18) is visiting, make sure they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

1. Confirm the visit qualifies as confidential: The jail lists confidential visits for inmates with attorneys, bondsmen, doctors, ministers/priests, probation officers, psychiatrists/psychologists, rabbis, and social workers.
2. Ask about prior approval for special confidential video visits: The facility states special visits occur through the video visitation system and are granted only with prior approval.
3. Verify the inmate meets the listed special-visit conditions: Special visits are only granted after the inmate meets one of the stated conditions (for example, sentenced and incarcerated at least 30 days, incarcerated for 6 months, awaiting transfer to a state facility, or being picked up by out-of-state officers).

Got a call demanding money for missed jury duty, "DNA testing," an outstanding warrant, or sheriff sale information? Don't pay or share financial details. Report these scams using the numbers in the sheriff's office alert: 540-283-3145 (Sheriff's Office) or 562-3265 (Roanoke County Police Department).

What to Verify

• ✓ What forms of “proper identification” are accepted at check-in.
• ✓ How the same-sex search is conducted and what you should expect during screening.
• ✓ How the jail applies the “under the influence” rule at the door (and any related consequences).
• ✓ Rules for minors under 18, including any additional requirements the facility expects from the accompanying parent/guardian.

• ✓ Whether your situation fits the jail’s listed confidential-visit categories (attorney, bondsman, doctor, clergy, probation officer, psychiatrist/psychologist, rabbi, social worker).
• ✓ How to request prior approval for a special confidential visit through the video visitation system.
• ✓ Which inmate conditions apply for special visits and what documentation, if any, is required to show the inmate meets them.
• ✓ Which video visitation vendor/platform is currently used, since the ICSolutions video visitation page returned an error.

Scam tactics evolve. Before acting on a suspicious call or voicemail, confirm the sheriff's office's current scam alert details and the best reporting numbers. The sheriff's office publishes scam warnings with reporting contacts.

For the latest information, check the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office resources (including visitation guidelines and confidential visit policies), then call the facility to confirm anything that affects your trip. This is especially important for details that can change without notice, like video visitation setup and approval steps for special confidential visits.