Before Your First Visit to Sussex: What to Bring, What to Leave Behind, and How Early to Arrive
Your first visit to Sussex goes smoother when you handle the basics ahead of time: get approved, bring the right ID, dress within the rules, and plan for screening. Here's your quick pre-visit checklist.
Before you plan the drive, make sure you're actually cleared to visit. Sussex requires every visitor - adults and minors - to submit a visitor application online through the Virginia DOC public website for Central Visitation Unit approval. No approval, no visit. It's a true prerequisite to everything else.
On visit day, build extra time into your schedule. Plan to arrive one hour before your scheduled visit to get through security screening. Schedules and procedures can shift, so I recommend confirming the details with Sussex before you travel - especially if you're coming from out of town or your timing is tight.
Note: Visitation is typically offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays, but schedules can change. Confirm with Sussex before you go.
Valid ID
- ✓ Bring at least one valid government-issued photo ID that matches the information on your visitor application.
Dress Code
- ✓ Wear clothing that covers from your neck to your kneecaps.
- ✓ Wear appropriate underwear.
- ✓ Wear footwear at all times.
Reminder: If your outfit doesn't meet the dress code, you'll lose your visit. When in doubt, dress more conservatively than you think you need to.
If you're pregnant or have a medical condition that prevents you from going through the electronic scanning device, bring documentation from your medical provider. Sussex will offer an alternate search procedure, but you'll need that paperwork at check-in.
- Get medical documentation ahead of time - ask your provider for a note confirming you can’t go through the electronic scanning device.
- Bring the documentation to check-in - have it ready when you arrive so staff can review it.
- Arrive even earlier than usual - alternate screening can take extra time, so plan to be there at least an hour before your scheduled visit.
Planning to send something in the mail before or after your trip? Keep it simple. Virginia DOC doesn't accept money orders, cash, checks, postage stamps, prepaid postage (like stamped envelopes or postcards), nude or semi-nude images, or other items of monetary value in inmate mail. Need to send funds? Use JPay instead.
Tip: Rules can change. Check Sussex's current instructions before you bring anything or send anything in.
- ✓ Don’t bring money orders, cash, checks, or other items of monetary value to include with inmate mail (use JPay for money instead).
- ✓ Don’t bring postage stamps or prepaid postage (like stamped envelopes or postcards) to include with inmate mail.
- ✓ Don’t bring nude or semi-nude images to include with inmate mail.
- ✓ Don’t bring any contraband or items that don’t comply with DOC mail rules.
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