Caroline County Inmate Search
What Is Inmate Records In Caroline County?
Inmate records in Caroline County are official documents created and maintained by correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies to document individuals who are or have been held in custody within the county's jurisdiction. These records are distinct from court records: while the Caroline Circuit Court maintains case files, dockets, and judicial orders related to criminal proceedings, custody records are generated and held by the Sheriff's Office and the correctional facilities responsible for housing detainees.
The record creation process begins at the moment of booking or intake, when a person is first received into custody. At that point, facility staff collect identifying information, document the charges, record bond conditions, and photograph the individual. Records are updated continuously throughout the period of incarceration to reflect changes in housing assignment, disciplinary actions, medical notes, and court appearances. Upon release, the record is closed and archived, though it remains subject to public access requests under applicable law.
Under Virginia Code § 15.2-1722, sheriffs are authorized to operate and maintain local jails and detention facilities, which includes the duty to keep accurate custody records for all persons received into their care.
Caroline County Sheriff's Office Bowling Green, VA 22427 (804) 633-5400 Caroline County Sheriff's Office
Are Inmate Records Public In Caroline County?
Inmate records maintained by Caroline County correctional facilities are generally accessible to members of the public under Virginia's Freedom of Information Act. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3700 et seq., all public records held by government bodies — including sheriff's offices and regional jails — are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Members of the public may submit a FOIA request to the designated FOIA officer for each agency. The FOIA Officer Form maintained by Virginia's Division of Legislative Services lists the current FOIA contact for the Caroline County Sheriff's Office as Travis Nutter, reachable at (804) 633-1126.
The following categories of inmate information are currently accessible to the public:
- Current inmate roster and facility housing location
- Booking and arrest records, including date and time of intake
- Charges filed against the individual
- Mugshots taken at the time of booking
- Bond or bail amounts set by the court
- Expected release dates, where available
- The name of the facility in which the individual is housed
Certain records remain exempt from disclosure, including medical and mental health information, records that could compromise an ongoing investigation, and juvenile records protected under state law.
What's Included in Inmate Records in Caroline County
Inmate records in Caroline County contain multiple categories of information compiled from the point of arrest through release.
Basic Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Race, sex, height, and weight
- Identifying marks, tattoos, or scars
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
Custody Information:
- Date and time of arrest and booking
- Arresting agency and officer
- Current housing facility and cell assignment
- Custody status (pre-trial, sentenced, or held on detainer)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges and applicable Virginia Code sections
- Charge classification (felony or misdemeanor)
- Offense date and jurisdiction
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (secured, unsecured, or no bond)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond conditions imposed
Court Information:
- Next scheduled court date and court location
- Case number assigned by the clerk's office
- Presiding court (General District or Circuit Court)
Sentence Information (if convicted and serving sentence):
- Length of sentence imposed
- Sentence start date and projected end date
- Any good-time or earned-time credits applied
Release Information:
- Actual or projected release date
- Release type (expiration of sentence, bond, transfer, or other)
- Post-release supervision conditions, if applicable
Caroline County Prison System
Caroline County operates a local detention system designed to house individuals awaiting trial and those serving sentences of up to twelve months for misdemeanor or certain felony convictions. The county jail functions as a short-term holding facility, distinct from state correctional institutions operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections, which house individuals serving sentences exceeding twelve months. Individuals convicted of felonies carrying longer sentences are transferred to state facilities following sentencing.
The Caroline County Sheriff's Office administers local detention operations and is the primary point of contact for custody-related inquiries.
Caroline County Sheriff's Office Bowling Green, VA 22427 (804) 633-5400 Caroline County Sheriff's Office
Types of Correctional Facilities In Caroline County
Caroline County and the surrounding region are served by several correctional and detention facilities, each with a distinct function and population.
Caroline County Jail Operated by the Caroline County Sheriff's Office, this facility holds pre-trial detainees and individuals serving short-term sentences within the county.
Bowling Green, VA 22427 (804) 633-5400 Caroline County Sheriff's Office
Pamunkey Regional Jail The Pamunkey Regional Jail is a regional facility serving multiple jurisdictions in the area, including Caroline County. It is operated as a state-of-the-art facility where all inmates are held in a humane and constitutional manner.
Pamunkey Regional Jail 7201 Courthouse Road, Hanover, VA 23069 (804) 365-6400 Pamunkey Regional Jail
Caroline Detention Facility (ICE) The Caroline Detention Facility is a federal immigration detention facility operated under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Individuals seeking information about a detainee housed at this facility may call (804) 633-0043, ext. 151 or ext. 261, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Caroline Detention Facility 16027 Bowling Green Road, Bowling Green, VA 22427 (804) 633-0043 Caroline Detention Facility – ICE
Virginia Department of Corrections Facilities Individuals sentenced to more than twelve months are transferred to state facilities managed by the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Virginia Department of Corrections – Central Office 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225 (804) 887-8248 Virginia Department of Corrections
Who's in Prison In Caroline County
The Caroline County Jail and regional facilities currently house several categories of individuals. Pre-trial detainees represent the largest population — persons who have been arrested and charged but have not yet been convicted or who are unable to meet bond conditions. Additionally, the facilities hold individuals serving sentences of twelve months or fewer for misdemeanor offenses or certain lower-level felonies. Persons held on detainers from other jurisdictions, including federal immigration holds at the Caroline Detention Facility, are also housed within the county's correctional network. Individuals awaiting transfer to state prison following sentencing may be temporarily held at the local level as well.
How To Search for Inmate Records In Caroline County
Members of the public may access inmate records through several official channels currently available.
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Submit a FOIA Request to the Sheriff's Office. Under Virginia Code § 2.2-3704, any person may submit a written request for public records to the Caroline County Sheriff's Office FOIA officer. Requests may be submitted by mail, email, or in person. The designated FOIA officer is Travis Nutter (tnutter@co.caroline.va.us), as listed in the Virginia FOIA Officer directory.
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Use the VADOC Inmate Locator. For individuals transferred to state custody, the Virginia Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate location and release date search tool accessible to the public at no charge.
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Contact the Facility Directly. Members of the public may call the Caroline County Sheriff's Office at (804) 633-5400 or the Pamunkey Regional Jail at (804) 365-6400 to inquire about an individual's custody status.
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Search Court Records. The Caroline Circuit Court maintains case files that may reflect an individual's charges, court dates, and sentencing information. The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Caroline Circuit Court – Clerk's Office 112 Courthouse Lane, Suite A, Bowling Green, VA 22427 (804) 633-5800 Caroline Circuit Court
How To Find an Inmate in Caroline County for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for locating an inmate held within Caroline County or transferred to state custody.
- VADOC Inmate Locator: The Virginia Department of Corrections provides a free inmate locator tool that allows members of the public to search for an individual's location and projected release date if that person is under VADOC custody.
- Direct Contact with the Sheriff's Office: Calling the Caroline County Sheriff's Office at (804) 633-5400 during business hours allows members of the public to inquire about current custody status at no charge.
- Pamunkey Regional Jail Inquiry: The Pamunkey Regional Jail may be contacted at (804) 365-6400 to determine whether an individual is housed at that facility.
- ICE Detainee Locator: For individuals held on immigration detainers at the Caroline Detention Facility, ICE maintains a national detainee locator system accessible online, and facility staff may be reached at (804) 633-0043, ext. 151 or ext. 261.
- Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System: Court records accessible through the Virginia court system may indicate an individual's custody status and upcoming court dates.
How To Visit an Inmate In Caroline County
Visitation at Caroline County correctional facilities is governed by facility-specific rules and applicable Virginia regulations. Members of the public seeking to visit an incarcerated individual should review the following general guidelines, which reflect standard practices at county and regional facilities in Virginia.
Visit Rules and Procedures All visitors must be approved in advance and placed on the inmate's approved visitor list. Visitors are required to present valid, government-issued photo identification at the time of the visit. Visits may be denied if the visitor is not on the approved list or if the inmate has lost visitation privileges due to disciplinary action.
Visit Schedule Visitation schedules vary by facility and housing unit. Members of the public should contact the Caroline County Sheriff's Office at (804) 633-5400 or the Pamunkey Regional Jail at (804) 365-6400 to confirm current visitation hours before arriving.
What to Bring
- Valid government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Any required documentation for professional visits (attorneys, clergy)
What NOT to Bring
- Cell phones, electronic devices, or cameras
- Food, beverages, or tobacco products
- Weapons or contraband of any kind
- Excessive cash or valuables
Dress Code Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Clothing that resembles inmate uniforms, exposes excessive skin, or displays offensive imagery is prohibited. Facilities reserve the right to deny entry to visitors who do not comply with dress code requirements.
Visit Types
- In-person contact visits (where permitted by the facility and the inmate's classification)
- Non-contact visits conducted through a glass partition
- Video visitation, which may be available remotely or on-site depending on the facility
Visit Restrictions Individuals with active criminal charges, those on probation or parole, or those with prior convictions may be subject to additional screening or denial of visitation privileges. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
How To Send Money to a Caroline County Inmate
Funds may be deposited into an inmate's commissary account through methods approved by the holding facility. The specific platform and procedures vary by facility.
Accepted Methods:
- Online deposits through the facility's approved third-party vendor (such as JPay or Access Corrections, depending on the facility)
- Money orders made payable to the inmate and mailed to the facility
- Lobby kiosks, where available at the facility
Amount Limits: Individual facilities may impose limits on the amount that may be deposited within a given time period. Members of the public should confirm current limits by contacting the Caroline County Sheriff's Office at (804) 633-5400 or the Pamunkey Regional Jail at (804) 365-6400.
Fees: Third-party transaction fees may apply when using online deposit services or kiosks. Money order deposits sent by mail typically do not carry a transaction fee, though postage costs apply.
What You Cannot Send:
- Cash sent directly through the mail
- Personal checks
- Prepaid debit cards or gift cards
Use of Funds: Inmate account funds may be used to purchase approved commissary items such as hygiene products, snacks, writing materials, and phone time. Funds may not be used to purchase contraband or to conduct unauthorized financial transactions.
How To Send Jail Mail In Caroline County
Mail sent to inmates at Caroline County facilities is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with standard correctional security procedures. All incoming correspondence is reviewed to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials.
Accepted Mail Methods:
- Standard U.S. Postal Service first-class mail addressed to the inmate by full legal name and booking number at the facility's mailing address
- Postcards, which are often preferred by facilities due to ease of inspection
Mailing Address Format: Senders should address mail using the inmate's full legal name, their assigned identification or booking number, and the complete facility address. For the Caroline County Jail, mail should be directed to the Sheriff's Office at Bowling Green, VA 22427. For the Pamunkey Regional Jail, the address is 7201 Courthouse Road, Hanover, VA 23069.
Rules for Sending Mail:
- All envelopes must include the sender's full return address
- Letters must be written on plain white paper; colored paper or envelopes may be rejected
- Photographs may be permitted in limited quantities; Polaroid or instant-print photographs are typically prohibited
- No glitter, stickers, staples, paper clips, or bindings are permitted
- Books and publications must be sent directly from a publisher or approved retailer, not from a private individual
- Mail containing threatening language, coded messages, or references to illegal activity will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action
Facilities reserve the right to reject, return, or confiscate any mail that does not comply with posted regulations.