Kanawha County, West Virginia Inmate Search
In Kanawha County, inmate records are managed through the state’s regional jail system rather than the county government. The county’s primary detention authority is the West Virginia Division of Correction and Rehabilitation Facility (WVDCR),which oversees the South Central Regional Jail & Correctional Facility, the main detention center serving the county.
Even when arrests are made by city law enforcement agencies such as the Charleston and South Charleston Police Departments, these arrests are processed locally before individuals are transferred to the South Central Regional Jail, making it so that all detainees appear in the statewide system managed by the West Virginia Division of Correction and Rehabilitation Facility (WVDCR).
How to Find an Inmate in Kanawha County Jail
The main detention facility for individuals arrested in Kanawha County is the South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility, which falls under the oversight of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR).
The quickest way to confirm whether a person is in prison is to use the statewide inmate search tool on the agency’s official portal. This tool allows users to search by County and Filter by name, date of birth, or gender. For immediate confirmation, the Jail can also be contacted directly by phone at (304) 558 -1336, which is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
1001 Center Way
Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 558-1336
Fax: (304) 558-7307
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office,
301 Virginia Street East,
Charleston, WV 25301,
Phone: (304) 357-0200
How to Use the Kanawha County Jail Roster
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) provides a statewide inmate search tool that includes all regional detention facilities, including the South Central Regional Jail, where Kanawha County detainees are housed. This public database is hosted through the official West Virginia state government website and is updated regularly.
To access and use the search tool:
- Go to the WVDCR website. Click on the page titled "Active Inmate by Sentencing County or Institution."
- To search by County, select "Kanawha" from the county dropdown list and click Search. This will return a list of all individuals currently in custody under the sentencing court.
The inmate roster is publicly accessible at no cost and does not require user registration. Request for certified copies or historical inmate records must be submitted in writing to the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation or made via the appropriate contact number
What Information is Included in the Kanawha County Inmate Roster
The inmate search system provided through the West Virginia Division of Correction and Rehabilitation (WVDCR) returns publicly accessible booking and custody details for individuals held in regional facilities across the state. Once an individual is located, the system typically displays the following information:
- Full Legal name
- Inmate identification number
- Arrest date or booking date
- Housing or current facility location
- Sentencing county
- Charge or offense description
- Custody status
- Expected release date (if available)
Access to these records is governed by the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), under West Virginia Code Chapter 29B. This law presumes that records maintained by public agencies, including correctional institutions are open to the public. As a result, inmate booking details and charges are considered public records.
Contact Details for Kanawha County Jail or Sheriff’s Office
For inmate-related inquiries in Kanawha County, contact the appropriate agency based on the nature of the request. The South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility is the primary point of contact for matters involving custody status, visitation, deposits, and inmate mail. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement functions but does not manage inmate records.
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
1001 Center Way
Charleston, WV 25309
Phone: (304) 558-1336
Fax: (304) 558-7307
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
301 Virginia Street East
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 357-0200
|
Contact Detail |
Information |
|---|---|
|
Facility Name |
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility |
|
Physical Jail Address |
1001 Center Way Charleston, WV 25309 |
|
Mailing Address |
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office 301 Virginia Street East Charleston, WV 25301 |
|
Jail Direct Line |
(304) 558-1336 |
|
Main Sheriff Office |
(304) 357-0200 |
|
Jail Fax Line |
(304) 558-7307 |
|
Online Inmate Search | |
|
WVDCR State Prison Search |
dcr.wv.gov- for sentenced inmates |
|
VINE Notification | |
|
WVDCR Records |
1409 Greenbrier street, Charleston, WV 25311 (304) 558-2036 |
Jail Facility Overview in Kanawha County
The South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Charleston serves as the primary and largest detention center in Kanawha County. Operated by the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WVDCR), the facility accommodates inmates from the Kanawha and Jackson Counties. It is a medium-security institution with a capacity of approximately 372 beds. The jail houses adult male and female, including pre-trial detainees and individuals serving shorter sentences. It also features the state’s only Forensic Evaluation Unit, which provides mental health assessments for certain cases. The facility is staffed round the clock, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
|
Agency |
Office and Mail Address |
Phone Number |
Office Hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility |
1001 Center Way Charleston, WV 25309 |
(304) 558-1336 |
24 hours a day, Full week. |
No designated public email. Call facility for enquiries. |
|
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office |
301 Virginia Street East Charleston, WV 25301 |
(304) 357-0200 |
Monday to Friday, Standard Business hours |
via the Sheriff’s Office website at kanawhasheriff.us |
|
Charleston Work Release Center |
Charleston, WV |
Contact WVDCR |
Contact WVDCR |
Via the WVDCR website at dcr.wv.gov |
|
James H. Tiger Morton Juvenile Center |
Dunbar, WV |
Contact WVDCR |
Contact WVDCR |
Via the WVDCR juvenile service at dcr.wv.gov |
Note: Juvenile offenders are managed separately through the state’s juvenile system in Kanawha County. The James H. Tiger Morton Juvenile Center, located in Dunbar, serves as the region’s juvenile facility. The Donald R. Kuhn Juvenile Diagnostic & Detention Center in Julian and the Robert L. Shell Juvenile Center also serve juveniles in the area. Juveniles taken into custody in Kanawha County are not listed in the adult inmate system.
How to Send Money to an Inmate in South Central Regional Jail?
Family and friends may deposit funds into an inmate’s trust account at the South Central Regional Jail to allow purchases through the commissary. Inmates can use these funds to buy hygiene items, snacks, and approved personal supplies. The facility manages accounts through the GTL Connect network ( also known as ViaPath Technologies). Deposits can be made in several ways. They include:
Online Deposits - GTL/Viapath
- Visit the GTL Connect Network or Viapath Technologies website and create an account or log in.
- Search for the South Central Regional Jail and locate the inmate using their name or ID number.
- Choose an amount and complete payment using a debit or credit card. Online deposits are available 24/7, and service fees may apply
Deposits can also be made by calling (877) 650- 4249
Lobby Kiosk
A self-service deposit kiosk is available in the lobby or visitation area of the South Central Regional Jail at 1001 Center Way, Charleston, WV 25309. Payment can be made via cash or card. The inmate’s full legal name and ID number.
Money Order by Mail
Money orders or cashier’s checks may be mailed directly to the facility. Do not send cash or personal checks. The inmate’s full legal name and ID number must be included on the memo line. The money order may be made payable to the inmate or to the facility. Call (304) 558-1336 to confirm the preferred payee.
Mail to:
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
Attn: Trust Funds
1001 Center Way
Charleston. WV 25309
Reception Desk
Cash, money orders or cashier checks may also be accepted at the reception desk. Call (304) 558-1336 in advance to confirm current hours for in-person drop off.
Commissary care packages can also be ordered online through Access SecurePak, subject to spending limits.
Inmate Search by Jail Facility
West Virginia operates under a regional jail system, meaning all adults arrested in Kanawha County are housed in a single primary facility which is the South Central Regional Jail rather than multiple county-run jails. As a result, there is no separate county jail roster. All inmate records are maintained at the state level and accessed through the statewide search system provided by the West Virginia Division of Correction and Rehabilitation (WVDCR). This tool includes all individuals currently held at the South Center Regional Jail and allows users to search by county or name.
In addition to the regional jail, the Charleston Work Release Center serves inmates who are nearing release and approved for supervision. These individuals are typically still listed within the statewide system. Juvenile detainees, however, are handled separately through the state’s juvenile justice system and are not included in any public inmate search database.
|
Facility/ Roster |
Separate Search Tool |
Where to Access |
|---|---|---|
|
South Central Regional Jail - Current Database |
Yes - Available online | |
|
Charleston Work Release Center |
May appear in WVRJA System |
Or call (304) 558-1336 |
|
WV Division of Corrections- State Prison Inmates |
Yes- Separate state offender search |
Via the WVDCR |
|
Juvenile Detention (Tiger Morton center, e.t.c) |
Not publicly searchable |
Contact WVDCR Juvenile Services via dcr.wv.gov for placement inquiries |
|
Federal Bureau of Prisons- Federal Inmates |
Yes- Federal portal |
Via the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator portal |
Kanawha County Visitation Rules and Schedules
The South Central Regional Jail operates a strict non-contact visitation system. All in-person visits are conducted through video terminals at the facility, and remote visitation is also available through the GettingOut platform. This allows approved visitors to connect with inmates either from home or at designated kiosks within the jail.
Who can visit?
- Approved family members and friends
- Maximum of two adults, or one adult and two minors. No exceptions to this limit.
- Minors require a notarized visitation
- Attorneys and legal representatives may arrange confidential visits
- Each inmate is entitled to one visit every 30 days
Visitation Schedule
Visitations are available three days per week. There’s no visitation on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Friday.
|
Days |
Hours |
|---|---|
|
Monday |
No visitation |
|
Tuesday |
No visitation |
|
Wednesday |
No visitation |
|
Thursday |
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
|
Friday |
No visitation |
|
Saturday |
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
|
Sunday |
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
During the visit, it’s prohibited to wear revealing clothing. This includes sleeveless tops, short skirts, and open toed shoes. Other restricted items include accessories such as jewelry or hats. Personal belongings, including phones and wallets, must be stored in lockers.
Mailing and Commissary Information
Inmates at the South Central Regional Jail are permitted to send and receive mail, subject to strict screening procedures. All incoming correspondence is inspected by the facility staff to ensure it does not contain contraband, prohibited items or security threats before being delivered.
When writing to an inmate, it’s important that you include the recipients full legal name and identification numbe. Mails must also have a complete return address. Without these, the mail may be rejected.
Inmates Full Name, Inmate ID Number
South Central Regional Jail and Correctional Facility
1001 Center Way
Charleston, WV 25309
Acceptable Mail Items
- Personal letters on standard papers
- Standard-size photographs ( no Polaroids or inappropriate contents)
- Regular greeting cards ( no musical, standard size)
- Pre-metered postcards purchased from the post office
Prohibited Items
- Cash, personal checks, or unauthorised money orders.
- Stamps or extra stationery
- Decorative materials ( glitter, stickers, glue)
- Books or magazines not sent directly from publishers
- Packages, food, or personal items
Outgoing Mail and Commissary
Outgoing mail is collected daily before 8:00AM from designated mailboxes within housing units. Families may also purchase approved commissary care packages online through Access SecurePak. For more information and questions, the facility can be contacted directly.