When Inmates Can’t Receive Visits: Disciplinary and Medical Restrictions at WTRJ

At Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ), certain housing statuses automatically block personal visits from family and friends. If your loved one is in disciplinary segregation or on cell restriction, you can be turned away - even if you followed every visitor rule. The same goes for medical isolation, close observation, or suicide watch. These restrictions apply to personal visits only. Attorneys and court-related personnel can still visit when performing their duties. Got turned away unexpectedly? It's often a housing-status issue, not something you did wrong. Call the jail to confirm whether your loved one is currently in one of these restricted categories.

Legal visits work differently. WTRJ's restriction categories - disciplinary segregation, cell restriction, medical isolation, close observation, and suicide watch - don't apply to attorneys or court-related personnel acting in their official capacity. This matters if you're trying to help your loved one stay connected to their case while family visits are blocked. Attorney access remains available, with visiting hours from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

1. Ask whether a restricted housing status is the reason - Disciplinary segregation, cell restriction, medical isolation, close observation, and suicide watch can all mean no personal visits with family or friends.
2. Clarify what kind of visit you’re trying to have - Personal visits may be denied under these statuses, but attorneys and court-related personnel are excepted when acting in an official capacity.
3. Plan for a temporary gap - If the restriction is tied to discipline or medical/observation status, you may need to rely on other contact options until your loved one’s status changes.

When in-person visits aren't possible, you can still stay connected. WTRJ allows family and friends to set up a tablet account through GettingOut to send and receive digital messages and photos. You can also schedule video visits - your loved one uses a tablet in their housing block to connect with you on a home computer or phone.

• ✓ Onsite lobby video visitation is available through six kiosks (one is ADA compliant).
• ✓ One free 20-minute onsite video visit per week is provided.
• ✓ Kiosks can be used daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• ✓ Video visits aren’t allowed during meal or headcount times.

Here's something that catches people off guard: if you were recently incarcerated at WTRJ yourself, you may be denied as a visitor. Former WTRJ inmates can't visit other inmates until 30 days have passed since their release.