The Riverside Regional Jail is located in the northwest portion of Prince George County, which is southeast of the state capital in Richmond, Virginia.  It is run by the Riverside Regional Jail Authority (RRJA).  The jail services adults sentenced in the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg, and in the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Prince George and Surry.  The prison is headed by Colonel Jeffrey L Newton, CJM.

Prince George County was formed in 1703 in the Virginia Colony from the portion of Charles City County that was south of the James River. It was named in honor of Prince George of Denmark, husband of Anne, Queen of Great Britain.  The 2010 census recorded the population of the county as 35,725.  The county is 282 square miles, with the majority of land, with the exception of the northwestern corner, being devoted to agriculture and timber production. 

The most well-known location in Prince George County is Fort Lee, a U.S. Army post and headquarters of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM).  Many of the U.S. Army’s training schools, a university and several key agencies are also located at Fort Lee. The fort comprises an area of 8.4 square miles and, according to the 2010 census, has a population of 3,393 people.

The Riverside Regional Jail opened in July 1997.  It is a 3000 bed facility that holds both pre-trial detainees and post-conviction inmates sentenced in the jail’s member counties and cities to a period of time of two years or less. When an inmate is sentenced to more than two years, they are admitted into the Virginia Department of Corrections or Federal Prison System, depending on their offense. 

The jail offers a number of programs to inmates including GED preparation and testing, basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, college opportunities workshops, and employment training skills.

If you are concerned about an inmate’s health or mental status, call the Riverside Regional Jail’s Medical Department at 804-524-6600, extension 6606.

If you feel that your family member or friend has been the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of another inmate or if you have information concerning suspected incidents of employee sexual misconduct involving Riverside Regional Jail personnel, please utilize the reporting form located at http://rrjva.org/wp/contact-us/.  You can also contact the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) hotline at 1-866-823-6703.

If you have concerns about jail staff that include any allegations of criminal activity or employee misconduct, call 804-524-6600, press zero for the operator, and ask to speak to the On Duty Watch commander.

Prince George County Physical Address:

Riverside Regional Jail
500 Folar Trail
North Prince George, VA 23860

Prince George County Sheriff’s Office
6601 Courts Drive
Prince George, VA 23875

Prince George County Mailing Address:

Riverside Regional Jail
500 Folar Trail
North Prince George, VA 23860

Prince George County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 366
Prince George, VA 23875

Riverside Regional Jail Phone Numbers:

Riverside Regional Jail Main:  804-524-6600
Inmate Accounts:  extension 6027
Jail/Arrest records:  extension 6610
Magistrate:  extension 6611
Medical Department:  extension 6606
Prince George County Sheriff’s Office:  804-733-2690

Riverside Regional Jail Inmate Phone Privileges:

Inmates cannot receive incoming phone calls.  Inmates have access to phones in their housing areas for outgoing phone calls.  These phone calls must be collect calls, debit or pre-paid phone calls.  Jail phone calls are monitored and may be recorded.  Any attempt to call transfer or conference call will result in the call being disconnected.

At the Riverside Regional Jail, debit calls are paid for through an inmate’s commissary account.  Pre-paid phone calls are administered through the GlobalTelLink (GTL) AdvancePay service at ConnectNetwork GTL.  The party receiving the calls creates an AdvancePay Phone account, which will allow them to receive phone calls even if their phone number restricts collect calls.  The receiving party still has to accept the call.  The cost of the call is deducted from the AdvancePay account balance. 

There are multiple ways to make deposits to AdvancePay accounts.  Visit the Ways to Pay page of the ConnectNetwork GTL site for more details.  To set up an AdvancePay account through ConnectNetwork GTL, call 1-800-483-8314 or create an account online at https://www.connectnetwork.com/webapp/jsps/signup/signup.cn.

To block calls from the Riverside Regional Jail, contact GTL at 877-650-4249. 

Inmate Mail:

Inmates may receive mail through the U.S. Postal Service and through private delivery services.  All incoming mail is opened and searched for contraband.  Inmates cannot receive books of stamps, stickers, perfumed materials or obscene materials.  Inmates can receive magazines, newspapers, and soft-back books, but they must be sent directly from the publisher. 

Mailed items are limited to no larger than US letter size (8.5” x 11”); items received that are larger than the limit will be returned to the sender.  Inmates can receive photos by mail provided they are not Polaroid photos, are no larger than 4” x 6” and are not framed.  Inmates are allowed to possess a maximum of five pictures at any one time.  If more than five pictures are mailed to the inmate, the extras will be stored in the inmate’s personal property. 

Mail can be sent to the following address and should include the inmate’s first and last name, their ID number, and their housing location (if known):

Riverside Regional Jail  
500 Folar Trail 
North Prince George, VA 23860 

Inmates cannot receive property through the mail, such as shoes, clothing, eyeglasses, etc.  If an inmate requires medication, it will be provided through the Medical Services at the jail. 

Inmates cannot release their property in person or through the mail.  Instead, if an inmate wishes to release property to a designee, the inmate fills out a Property Release Form and submits this form to the Property Department for approval.  Once the form has been approved, the designee can pick up the property from the lobby of the main jail facility between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The Riverside Regional Jail does not have email service for inmates.

Riverside Regional Who’s in Jail / Inmate Search:

Inmates of the Riverside Regional Jail can be found through the Virginia Statewide Vine website*.  Listings include the inmate’s name, age, gender, race, Offender ID, birth date, current location, custody status, and their mugshot (if available). You can also call the jail at 804-524-6600 to verify an inmate’s location.

Riverside Regional Jail Mugshots:

Mugshots of Riverside Regional Jail inmates can be found on the inmate’s listing in the Virginia Statewide Vine system* by clicking on the “More Info” link under the inmate’s name and then clicking on the “Offender Photo Available” link. 

*To more quickly locate an inmate, click on the “Open Advanced Search” link, then select the "Riverside Regional Jail" option from the Facility Name drop down.

Inmate Status Notification:

Through the Virginia Statewide Vine system, you can register to be notified when an inmate of the Riverside Regional Jail has a status change.  Call 1-800-467-4943 or locate the inmate listing within the system (using the search feature), click on the “Notify Me of Status Change” button, and complete your relevant contact information.

Jail Records/Arrest Records:

Inmates are provided with copies of their records at the time of sentencing.  Inmates who need to obtain additional copies of their records, can submit a request to the Riverside Regional Jail’s Records Department through a kiosk in their housing unit. 

Family and friends of inmates can obtain charge information, verify an inmate’s status, and the amount of any inmate bond by contacting the jail’s Records Department at 804-524-6600, extension 6610.  If you wish to obtain copies of other documents that are considered public records, contact the court system in which the inmate was sentenced. For more information on the Virginia courts, visit the Virginia’s Judicial System website. 

Riverside Regional Jail Visitation:

The Riverside Regional Jail requires that all visitors schedule their in-person visits online in advance of their planned visit.  Visits can be scheduled through the Visitation portal.  You must create an account (register) with the system before scheduling your first visit.  Minors who will accompany you on visits must also be added to the system.  The portal’s FAQ page has very useful information on how to schedule visits and make changes to your account.  

Visitors are required to be at least 18 years of age, and must be able to produce a valid, government-issued, photo ID that includes their date of birth.  Children under age 18 must be accompanied by their parent, legal guardian or a responsible adult.  The following additional rules apply to child visitation:

• All children will remain under constant supervision and control while visiting. 
• No minor under age 18 will be left unattended at any time in the visitation and lobby areas or in a vehicle in the parking lot. 
• No child will be allowed to jump, climb, run freely, or play in the visitation lobby area.
• One diaper and one bottle for infants are allowed into the visitation area; no bags are allowed.
• If strollers are necessary, they will be searched.

No more than five visitors per inmate are allowed at a single visit, and no more than three of the five visitors can be minors.  Visits are confined to two per week (one Monday through Friday, and one on the weekend) for a maximum of 45 minutes each.  Visiting hours and days are dependent on the inmate’s housing location.  You will be advised in the visitation portal, after you select the inmate you want to visit, of the inmate’s visitation schedule.  Call 804-524-6600 to ask specific questions about visitation.

Visitors are not to attempt to communicate with an inmate when entering or exiting the facility.  All visitors and their personal effects are subject to search. Visitors should limit items brought into the jail during visitation.  This facility does not have any storage lockers for visitors.  The following items are not permitted in the visitation area, or any part of the jail, and should be left in your vehicle:

• Cigarettes, vapors, tobacco products, lighters, and/or matches
• Any items considered to be a weapon, such as knives, Kubatons, etc.
• Photo/video cameras and/or recording devices
• Cell phones and pagers
• Letters, pictures, magazines, or books for the inmate
• Purses or handbags, toys or coloring books, etc.

Note, this is not all-inclusive list.  Other items may be deemed inappropriate by the Watch Commander, at his/her discretion.

Prescription medication for inmates can be brought to the jail with prior approval by the jail’s medical staff.  A nurse will take medications once approved.  No over the counter medication is accepted.  

If prior approval has been obtained (through an inmates completion of a Property Request Form and approval by the Property department), clothing for court will be accepted at the lobby desk by the Property Officer.  Property is only accepted Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays

Visitors must be dressed appropriately for the facility.  Additional dress code information is provided on the Riverside Regional Jail’s Inmate Visitation page at https://rrjva.org/wp/inmate-visitation/.

Visitor parking is on the right side of the parking lot (facing the facility). Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time of their scheduled visit.  Visitors who arrive more than 15 minutes past their schedule visitation start time, will be denied the visit.  Visitors check into the reception lobby of the jail for visitation:

Riverside Regional Jail
500 Folar Trail
North Prince George, VA 23860  

Communication with an inmate during visits is done by telephone and inmates can be seen through safety glass.  All visits, except for privileged visits, are monitored.   

The Riverside Regional Jail also offer a video visitation service where you can visit with an inmate from the comfort of your home (or via an online session.  These sessions are conducted during the inmate’s standard visitation days and hours and can be schedule by choosing the “At Home” location when scheduling your visit online through the Visitation portal.  A fee is associated with these sessions, which is paid by the inmate’s friend or family member scheduling the visit.  The acceptable methods of payment are by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.  Please note that this service may not be available for all inmates due to service limitation with certain housing units or if the inmate’s visitation privileges have been limited.

Riverside Regional Jail Commissary:

The Riverside Regional Jail establishes an Inmate Account for each person when they are incarcerated.  This account is used by the inmate to pay their room and board fee (currently $3.00 per day) and to purchase personal items at the jail. 

Funds deposited into the account can be used at the commissary, provided the inmate is not under disciplinary sanctions.  The schedule for ordering and delivery of items from the commissary is dependent on the inmate’s assigned housing.  Medical Services might prohibit inmates from making certain purchases because of health concerns.  A price list for commissary items is available online.

Deposits can be made to the Inmate Account in the following ways:

• A deposit machine is located in the lobby of the jail at 500 Folar Trail, North Prince George, VA 23860.  Depositors must have the inmate’s first name and last name and/or their ID# to make a deposit.  The machine accepts both cash (bills greater than $1 but no coins) and credit card transactions; fees are associated with credit card transactions.  A maximum of $300 cash per day can be deposited.
• An inmate’s friends or family can create an account and deposit funds for the inmate at AccessCorrections.com.  The accepted methods of payment for this service are credit and debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo and a valid security code that are issued within the United States.  Fees are associated with making deposits and vary by facility.  Account deposits are limited to $300.00 a day per inmate.  AccessCorrections customer service can be reached by calling 1-866-345-1884 or by email to [email protected].
• Money orders or cashier’s checks, made payable to the inmate’s full name and “c/o the Riverside Regional Jail”, can be mailed to the jail for deposit into the Inmate’s Account.  The money order/check should include the inmate’s ID number.  No personal checks will be accepted.  Funds are mailed to:

Riverside Reginal Jail
500 Folar Trail
North Prince George, VA 23860

Family and friends of inmates can also purchase and send a care package of food and hygiene items directly to an inmate through the jail’s commissary vendor, Keefe Commissary Network.  Inmates with more than $2.00 in their account can receive one order per month. For additional information, visit https://rrjva.org/wp/news/riverside-regional-jail-care-package-program/. To place an order, visit the Riverside Regional Jail Package Program site.

If an inmate wishes to release money from their Inmate Account to friends or family, they complete and submit an Inmate Request Form to the Riverside Regional Jail’s Inmate Accounts Department.  Provided sufficient funds are available in the inmate’s account, a check will be issues to the designated person.  Funds can be picked up by the designated person at the jail or can be mailed to the person’s home address, as designated by the inmate.    

Posting Bail or Bond for Riverside Regional Jail Inmates:

Bail allows an arrested person (defendant) to be released from jail until his or her case is completed. 

Bail bonds or surety bonds are written agreements entered into by the individual and his/her sureties (most commonly a bail bondsman) that guarantees the individual will appear in court at an appointed date and time.  For the Riverside Regional Jail, a property bond, cash bond or a bonding company are the acceptable forms of bond payment. 

The Magistrate Department of the Riverside Regional Jail manages bail and bond payments, and the release of inmates.  If an inmate is eligible for bail, and payment can be made by the inmate’s friends, family or a bail bondsman, a bail hearing is held by the magistrate where the bond amount is set and the conditions of release are established.  The conditions usually require that the inmate attend an arraignment hearing. 

Cash Bond: 

Cash bond payments can be made by cash (dollar bills, checks are not accepted) in person to the Magistrate at the Riverside Regional Jail.  In lieu of cash, written, dated proof of sufficient funds to cover the full amount of the bond in a person’s checking or savings bank account can be provided to the Magistrate and an Affidavit of Surety completed.  All of the people listed on the applicable bank account must be present at the jail to sign the affidavit.

Property Bond:

For a property bond, the property must have the current year’s property taxes paid in full.  Proof of paid taxes and of the value of the property must be provided to the magistrate.  Every person listed on the deed of title must come to Riverside Regional Jail to sign the bonding paperwork.  An exception to this rule may be made if the property is co-owned and the person guaranteeing the bond can prove that the value of their portion of the property is sufficient to cover the amount of the bond.

Bonding Company: 

Bonding companies provide bonds for incarcerated persons and typically charge a negotiable percentage fee of the total amount of the bond.  Bonding companies must be pre-approved by the county.  You may contact the Riverside Regional Jail Magistrate Department at 804-524-6600, extension 6611 to verify if a bonding company is approved.

Revoking a Bond:

If a person who posted a bond for an inmate wishes to revoke it, they must submit paperwork to the relevant court in which the inmate was sentenced.

Bond Refund:

The Riverside Regional Jail does not process bond refunds.  For a bond refund, the person who posted the bond will need to request a refund through the relevant court in which the inmate was sentenced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, now that you have read our article on the Riverside Regional Jail, we hope we have made it much easier to perform an inmate search, review mugshots, schedule visits, send mail, fund inmate accounts for commissary purchases and telephone use, and contact the prison.  We understand how difficult it can be when a family or friend is incarcerated, and we try our absolute best to provide the most updated information on each facility, to make your life easier.