How to Pick Up an Inmate's Property at Western Tidewater Jail
Picking up an inmate's property at Western Tidewater Jail is straightforward—but the jail has specific hours and rules about who can collect items. Here's what you need to know to avoid a wasted trip.
Western Tidewater Jail releases inmate property during normal business hours: 8:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. If you’re trying to coordinate a pickup around work, plan for a weekday window within those hours.
If someone other than the inmate will be picking up property, you'll need to schedule an appointment with the property department first. Call 757-942-0545 to arrange this before you go - walk-ins for non-inmate pickups aren't accepted.
The jail normally releases property only to the inmate themselves. If someone else needs to pick it up, the inmate must submit an inmate request form and get it approved. Approval isn't guaranteed, so don't schedule a pickup - or show up - until you've confirmed the request went through.
Property storage is limited. Everything must fit inside the authorized inmate storage container - anything that doesn't is treated as contraband. Expect strict limits on how much personal property can be kept or returned.
Generally, Western Tidewater Jail won't accept property at the facility or through the mail. The one exception: prescription eyewear. Nonmetal glasses and/or contacts, along with a current prescription, can be brought to the lobby counter. The lobby clerk will contact Medical Staff, who decide whether to accept the items.
- Confirm the need - If the inmate was not wearing their prescription glasses when they were committed to the jail, a family member or friend may bring the glasses in for Medical Staff to approve.
- Bring only allowable eyewear - Bring nonmetal glasses and/or contacts, plus the current, up-to-date prescription.
- Go to the lobby counter for review - Take the items to the lobby counter; the lobby clerk will call Medical Staff to determine whether the eyewear will be accepted.
Note: Even with the eyewear exception, Medical Staff must approve the items in the lobby, and acceptance is not automatic.
Pre Departure Checklist
- ✓ Go during the property pickup window: 8:00am–3:00pm, Monday–Friday
- ✓ If you (not the inmate) are picking up property, schedule a prearranged appointment with the property department at 757-942-0545
- ✓ Make sure the inmate has submitted a request form and it has been approved before you schedule a non-inmate pickup (approval isn’t guaranteed)
- ✓ Keep expectations realistic: all property has to fit in the authorized storage container, and excess items are treated as contraband
- ✓ Don’t bring or mail other property to the jail - only nonmetal glasses/contacts with a current prescription may be brought to the lobby for Medical Staff to decide if they’ll accept them
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