Portsmouth City Jail

City Jail

Last Updated: February 23, 2025
Address
701 Crawford St, Portsmouth, VA 23704
Beds
478
County
Portsmouth City
Phone
757-393-8210
Fax
757-393-5181

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Portsmouth Jail is for City Jail offenders sentenced up to twenty four months.

All prisons and jails have Security or Custody levels depending on the inmate’s classification, sentence, and criminal history. Please review the rules and regulations for City Jail - medium facility.

The phone carrier is Global Tel Link (GTL) - ConnectNetwork, to see their rates and best-calling plans for your inmate to call you.

If you are unsure of your inmate's location, you can search and locate your inmate by typing in their last name, first name or first initial, and/or the offender ID number to get their accurate information immediately Registered Offenders

Satellite View of Portsmouth City Jail

You can support your loved ones at Portsmouth Jail on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 757-393-8210.

The Portsmouth Jail serves as a low/medium-security city detention center located at 701 Crawford St in Portsmouth, VA. Operated locally by the police and sheriff's departments, it houses inmates and detainees awaiting trial or sentencing. Most sentenced inmates have terms of less than two years. The facility also accepts inmates from surrounding towns and occasionally from the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees are regularly admitted to the jail, with some being released on bail or placed under pretrial services caseloads. Others may be supervised by probation agencies or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who remain in custody await their court appearances at the facility, receiving accommodations such as bedding and meals.

For access to arrest records in Virginia, you can view them here.

Portsmouth, an independent city situated in southeastern Virginia's Hampton Roads region, boasts a population of around 96,000 residents and covers approximately 30 square miles. Its urban landscape mirrors neighboring cities such as Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. Founded in 1752, Portsmouth holds a significant place in American history, largely due to the robust military presence centered around the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, both nestled within the city's limits on the Elizabeth River.

The Portsmouth Sheriff's Office plays an active role in offering a diverse array of programs aimed at inmate rehabilitation and preparing them for successful reintegration into society upon their release from jail. While some inmates are mandated by the court to participate in these programs, the majority voluntarily engage in activities geared toward self-improvement. The focus of most programs centers around education and skills development, providing inmates with opportunities to enhance existing skills, acquire new ones, refine problem-solving techniques, or reinforce positive values.

Through these initiatives, inmates are encouraged to take proactive steps toward personal growth and development during their incarceration. By engaging in constructive activities and educational opportunities, inmates can cultivate a sense of purpose and direction, laying the groundwork for a more promising future beyond their time in jail.

There are no restrictions on the number of First Class letters an inmate can send or receive, nor on the number of people, they can correspond with, except for communication with other inmates within the Portsmouth City Jail, which is prohibited. Mail will not be withheld as a disciplinary measure.

Legal mail will be opened in the presence of the inmate to whom it is addressed, but the contents will not be read by staff. However, designated jail staff may read non-legal letters for security reasons.

All outgoing and incoming mail must have a complete return address. If additional postage is required, the cost will be deducted from the inmate's canteen funds. Mail without sufficient postage will be returned to the sender.

Outgoing mail is collected and sent at the end of each shift. Once the mail is placed in the postal system, the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office bears no responsibility for it.

Indigent inmates are allowed to have up to three letters mailed by the canteen operator each week. Canteen services, which allow inmates to purchase snack foods and personal items not provided by the jail, are available only to fully classified and committed inmates. The canteen is operated by a contracted service, not directly by the jail.

Canteen funds can be deposited into an inmate's account through the following methods: funds possessed at the time of commitment to jail or through the TOUCHPAY Payment System. Family or friends can also deposit money using the electronic kiosk located in the jail lobby, or by calling 866-345-1884 or visiting the Access Corrections website. No funds or money orders will be accepted in the jail lobby or through the mail.

Inmate Locator

To utilize the Inmate Search page on InmateAid, begin by selecting the relevant prison facility in Virginia. This allows you to view the current list of inmates housed at Portsmouth City Jail.

The second section features the InmateAid Inmate Search tool, providing a user-generated database of inmates. You can access this resource to utilize any of InmateAid's services. If you require assistance in creating an inmate profile to maintain communication, please contact us at aid@inmateaid.com, and we'll gladly help you locate your loved one.

As a last resort, you might have to pay for that information if we do not have it. The Arrest Record Search will cost you a small amount, but their data is the freshest available and for that reason, they charge to access it.

Visitation Information

Visiting hours for Portsmouth Jail are subject to change, so it's crucial to confirm them by contacting the facility directly by phone. Please reach out to 757-393-8210, on visitation procedures, applications, or directions to the facility in Portsmouth. Please note that visitors will undergo a thorough search before entering the premises, and personal belongings, including cell phones, are strictly prohibited. Individuals under probation, parole, or community corrections supervision must obtain approval from their supervising officer and the superintendent before visiting, although such visits are not typically approved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Portsmouth City Jail – Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Portsmouth City Jail, and who is held here?
    Portsmouth Jail is a City/Municipal Jail that primarily houses individuals arrested by local law enforcement. It holds pretrial detainees, individuals serving short sentences (less than 12 months), and those awaiting transfer to county or state facilities.

  2. How can I find out if someone is in custody at Portsmouth City Jail?
    To check if someone is detained at Portsmouth Jail, use the inmate locator on the website or call 757-393-8210. You may need the person’s full name and date of birth to obtain information.

  3. How long can someone be held at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Most individuals are held for less than 72 hours before being released, transferred to a county jail, or appearing before a judge. However, those serving short sentences may stay longer, depending on municipal policies.

  4. What happens during the booking process at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Booking includes fingerprinting, photographing, medical screening, warrant checks, and recording of charges. The individual is then assigned to a holding cell or general population while awaiting further processing.

  5. Can I post bail for someone being held at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Yes, bail can be posted at Portsmouth Jail if the detainee is eligible. Bail payments may be made using cash, credit, or through a bail bondsman. Contact 757-393-8210 for specific bail procedures.

  6. What are the visitation rules at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Visitation is subject to facility-specific guidelines. Visitors must be pre-approved, provide valid identification, and comply with dress codes. Some city jails allow video visitation through the prison phone provider.

  7. How can I send money to an inmate at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Funds can be deposited into an inmate’s commissary account via an outside third-party money transfer company like JailATM, InmateCanteen, Western Union money orders, or lobby kiosks. Check their website for deposit instructions and allowable limits.

  8. Can inmates at Portsmouth City Jail make phone calls?
    Yes, detainees are allowed outgoing calls using their contracted phone carrier. Calls may be collect or prepaid, with time limits enforced. All calls are monitored and recorded.

  9. Can I send mail to an inmate at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Yes, inmates may receive letters, photographs, and approved reading materials. All mail is screened for contraband. Polaroids, explicit content, and certain materials are prohibited. Try this InmateAid app for sending letters, postcards or selfies to an inmate.

  10. Are attorneys allowed to visit inmates at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Yes, legal visits are allowed. Attorneys can visit in person during designated hours and must present bar credentials and client information. Legal calls may also be arranged.

  11. What medical care is available at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Basic medical, mental health and prescription medication services are provided. Inmates needing urgent care may be transported to a hospital for treatment.

  12. Are there work programs or educational services at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Many city jails focus on short-term detention, so educational or work programs may be limited. Some facilities offer substance abuse counseling, GED prep, or reentry support for eligible inmates.

  13. Can an inmate request a transfer from Portsmouth City Jail?
    No, inmates cannot request transfers. Transfers are determined by court orders, sentence length, and facility capacity. Some detainees are moved to county jails or state prisons based on their legal status.

  14. What happens when an inmate is released from Portsmouth City Jail?
    Upon release, individuals may be discharged from the facility, transferred to another institution, or placed under probation supervision. Some detainees must appear in court for pending cases.

  15. Can someone be held at Portsmouth City Jail for unpaid fines or warrants?
    Yes, individuals with outstanding warrants or unpaid fines may be held until their case is resolved or a bond is posted. Warrant checks are conducted during the booking process.

  16. What happens to personal belongings when someone is booked into Portsmouth City Jail?
    Personal property is collected, inventoried, and stored during booking. Upon release, individuals receive their belongings unless items are held as evidence.

  17. Can I pick up an inmate’s property if they are transferred from Portsmouth City Jail?
    Yes, with written authorization from the inmate, a designated individual may retrieve personal property. Contact 757-393-8210 to arrange a pickup.

  18. How can I report concerns about an inmate’s safety at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Concerns can be reported to the Portsmouth City Jail administration or the municipal police department overseeing the jail. In serious cases, contact legal representatives or advocacy groups for assistance.

  19. What should I do if I believe someone was wrongfully arrested and is being held at Portsmouth City Jail?
    Contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. The attorney can request court hearings, review charges, and determine the best legal course of action.

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