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.