How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

Visitation at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center runs through a secure video system on SmartInmate.com. There are no traditional in-person contact visits. Instead, your "visit" happens over video through the facility's system.

Before you can schedule a video visit, you'll need to register on SmartInmate and get approved by Alexandria Sheriff's Office (ASO) staff. Handle that approval step first. You won't be able to book anything until it's complete.

Video visitation is available seven days a week, including holidays, from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time. If you're in a different time zone, double-check the time difference so you don't miss your visit window.

Can't do a visit from home? There are on-site options. You can use a free terminal in the Detention Center lobby, or head to the Public Safety Center for a scheduled video visit.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Register on SmartInmate and complete any required profile steps.
• ✓ Wait for approval by Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO) staff before trying to schedule.
• ✓ If you have account or technical issues with remote video visitation, contact the vendor (Smart Communications), since ASO cannot troubleshoot the system.

• ✓ Schedule your visit the day before you want to visit, and do not schedule more than seven days ahead.
• ✓ Pick a time within the available visitation window (7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, seven days a week, including holidays).

• ✓ If you do not have reliable internet or a device, use the free terminal in the Detention Center lobby.
• ✓ If you prefer an on-site scheduled option, you may go to the Public Safety Center for a scheduled video visit.

• ✓ Plan around the limit of two free 20-minute video visits per week.

Before you try to book a time, confirm the current registration steps on SmartInmate and how ASO approval works. Approval is required before you can schedule anything, and the exact process can be updated from time to time.

Double-check the scheduling rules each time you plan a visit. Visits must be scheduled the day before and no more than seven days in advance. Hours run from 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, seven days a week, including holidays. If you're planning around a holiday or a tight schedule, confirming the timing up front can save you a missed visit.

Planning to visit on-site? Verify that the free terminal in the Detention Center lobby is currently available, and confirm the process for a scheduled visit at the Public Safety Center. For remote video issues (logins, audio/video problems, account questions), reach out to the vendor, Smart Communications. The Alexandria Sheriff's Office does not handle that side of things.

For questions about Inmate Programs, contact Gloria Wright by email at gloria.wright@alexandriava.gov or by phone at 703-746-5135. She's a helpful point of contact when your question is about programs and services rather than video visitation tech support.