McDowell County-Stevens Correctional Center

You can support your loved ones at Stevens Correctional on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 304-436-5420.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Stevens Correctional is a detention center located at 795 Virginia Ave Welch, WV which is operated locally by the McDowell County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. McDowell County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, Welch Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for West Virginia here.

In August 2001, the Economic Development Authority (E.D.A.) of McDowell County acquired the former Stevens Clinic Hospital to convert it into a medium-security correctional center. This initiative was part of a broader strategy to repurpose the structure to address the needs of the county's correctional system. The McDowell County Commission oversees the operations of this center, known as the Stevens Facility, along with the Welch Facility, the former McDowell County Jail, making it the only privately owned correctional center in West Virginia.

The Welch Facility, constructed in 1976, operated under the Federal Court System from 1990 to 1996, during which time it was upgraded to meet federal standards. Similarly, the Stevens Facility was constructed to comply with both Federal and State correctional standards. The Welch Facility can accommodate up to 108 inmates, whereas the Stevens Facility has a maximum capacity of 322 inmates. Since 1999, McDowell County has also been instrumental in managing the overflow from the Division of Corrections.

Employment at these facilities totals approximately 150 staff members. Economic projections made during the acquisition of grant funds for the Stevens Center estimated that the facility would contribute about $38 million annually to the local economy. The Stevens Facility welcomed its first inmates on March 2, 2006, and by May of that year, it was fully occupied with all 322 beds filled. The McDowell County Correctional Center continues to evolve and improve, reflecting its ongoing developmental phase.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail is designed with "pods," featuring a large common area with affixed tables and attached seats, and individual cells typically on two levels. Inmates spend certain times in their cells and other times congregating in the pod for activities like playing cards, games, reading, or watching television. Movement outside the pod, such as trips to the commissary, library, or recreation area, occurs under the constant supervision of unarmed correctional officers. The environment in the county jail is considered less stressful than that of a prison because the sentences are much shorter.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Additionally, the Accelerated Parole Program is available to eligible inmates who have a parole eligibility date. However, certain convictions disqualify inmates from this program. These exclusions include convictions involving violence, firearms, minors, victim fatalities, multiple controlled substance offenses, mandatory notification periods, parole revocations due to new felony convictions, or incarceration in another jurisdiction with a WVDOC sentence.