Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail
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Guides for This Facility
Setting Up Phone Calls with Pay-Tel: What Families Need to Know About Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail's Phone System
Setting up phone calls at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail means working with Pay-Tel, the jail's phone provider. Here's how to get your number approved (or blocked), what you need to know about call recording, and why you can't call into the facility yourself.
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Three Ways to Send Money to an Inmate at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail
Putting money on someone's account at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail is straightforward—just pick the method that works best for you.
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What to Know Before Your First Visit to Rockingham‑Harrisonburg Jail
Visiting someone at Rockingham‑Harrisonburg Jail is straightforward once you know the basics. This guide covers how to confirm the right day and unit, when to arrive, and what mistakes get people turned away at check‑in.
Read GuideAt a Glance
Visitation
- Visitors must arrive 20 minutes before scheduled visitation to sign in; late arrivals after the visit starts are not allowed.
- Visitation sessions are limited to thirty minutes.
- Only three adult visitors may visit an inmate at a time, and an inmate may have two non‑immediate‑family visitors on their approved visitor list.
Communication
- All inmate telephone calls are recorded.
- Incoming phone calls cannot be received through the inmate phone system.
- To set up a Pay‑Tel account or to place a block on your phone, call Pay‑Tel Communications at 1-800-PAY-TELL (1-800-729-8355) or visit www.paytel.com.
Mail & Letters
- Send non-legal inmate mail to PO Box 18247, Greensboro, NC 27419 and include the inmate's full name, ID number, and Facility ID #5168.
- Legal mail must be sent directly to 25 South Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 and labeled 'Legal Mail'.
- Incoming non-legal mail is scanned within 24 hours, reviewed for policy violations, uploaded to inmate tablets, and the paper originals are destroyed.
Sending Money
- The facility does not accept personal or payroll checks; only cash and money orders are accepted for inmate funds.
- A COBRA Banker machine in the jail’s front lobby is available to deposit money into inmate accounts.
- SmartDeposit is supported for online deposits, by phone (1‑866‑394‑0490), or at the Cobra cashier (smartdeposit.com).
Facility Info
- The Sheriff's Office charges $12 for in‑state service and $12 per additional person/firm, and $75 for out‑of‑state service and $75 per additional person/firm.
- Send the original and copies for service; the office serves the copies and returns the original with an affidavit and requests a self‑addressed stamped envelope.
- Service fees must be paid in advance by check, cash (walk‑in; exact change required), money order, or through the appropriate court.
Based on official sources and community feedback. Learn how we verify
Topic Overviews
Visitation
Visiting Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail takes some planning, especially your first time. Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled visit to sign in—show up late and you won't get in. Visits last 30 minutes, and inmates can only receive one visit per day on their scheduled visitation day (attorney and minister visits don't count toward this limit). Up to three adult visitors can visit at once. Inmates can add two non-immediate-family members to their approved visitor list, but those names can only be changed once every 90 days. Heads up: visits may be audio and video recorded. Leave your cell phone and camera in the car—bringing them in can end your visit and affect future privileges. Need a special visit? Request approval at least one week in advance.
Read full guideCommunication
Phone calls at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail go through the inmate phone system, and all calls are recorded—expect them to be monitored and stored. You can't call an inmate directly; the facility doesn't accept incoming calls. To set up phone access, manage your account, or block your number, contact Pay‑Tel Communications at 1-800-PAY-TELL (1-800-729-8355) or visit www.paytel.com. For billing questions or technical issues, reach out to Pay‑Tel directly rather than jail staff.
Read full guideMail & Letters
Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail routes non-legal mail through off-site processing. Send it to PO Box 18247, Greensboro, NC 27419, and include the inmate's full name, ID number, and Facility ID #5168 on every piece. Legal mail from attorneys, the DOC, probation, or similar senders goes directly to the jail at 25 South Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801—mark the envelope "Legal Mail" clearly. Non-legal mail that meets requirements gets scanned within 24 hours, reviewed for policy violations, and uploaded to inmate tablets. The paper originals are then destroyed. Starting April 1, 2025, books and magazines won't be accepted and will be returned to sender. If someone is released or transferred, their mail goes back to the sender. Former inmates can request digital copies of their scanned mail by emailing rcsomail@rockinghamcountyva.gov.
Read full guideSending Money
Sending money to someone at Rockingham‑Harrisonburg Jail is straightforward once you know the rules. The jail won't accept personal or payroll checks—use cash or a money order instead. On-site, you can use the COBRA Banker machine in the front lobby or deposit at the Cobra cashier. For remote deposits, use SmartDeposit online at smartdeposit.com or by phone at 1‑866‑394‑0490. Processing times and fees vary by vendor, so check before sending. Have the inmate's full name and ID number ready to avoid mistakes.
Read full guideCommon Questions
Showing 6 of 17What happens if I'm late for my visit at Rockingham‑Harrisonburg Jail?
Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled visit to sign in. If you arrive after the session has started, you won’t be admitted for that visit.
VisitationHow long are visits and how many people can visit an inmate at once?
Each visit is limited to 30 minutes. Only three adult visitors can visit at once, and the inmate may receive only one visit per day on their scheduled visitation day (attorney/client and minister visits are excluded).
VisitationAre visits recorded and can I bring my phone or camera?
Yes—visits may be audio and video recorded. Cell phones, cameras, and similar devices aren’t allowed in the visitation room, and violations can end the visit and impact future visiting privileges; loud or unruly behavior can also lead to termination and suspension of privileges.
VisitationAre inmate phone calls recorded at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail?
Yes. All inmate telephone calls are recorded.
CommunicationCan I call an inmate at Rockingham-Harrisonburg Jail?
No. The jail does not accept incoming calls to inmates through the inmate phone system. For calling access or to manage blocks, contact Pay‑Tel for account options.
CommunicationHow do I set up phone access or block my number for calls to an inmate?
Set up phone access or place a block through Pay‑Tel Communications at 1-800-PAY-TELL (1-800-729-8355) or www.paytel.com. For billing and technical support, contact Pay‑Tel directly and follow the vendor’s account setup steps.
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Did You Know?
**Note:** Arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled visitation to sign in. Visitors who arrive after visitation starts will not be allowed in.
This guide is based on feedback from dozens of families and official facility documentation. Learn how we verify