Fairfax County Inmate Search
Breaking a law may lead to detention, arrest, or incarceration in Fairfax County, Virginia. Depending on the gravity of their offense, offenders will spend or serve time in the county jail or state prison. Interested individuals can lookup Fairfax County inmates, as records of arrested persons that were detained are considered part of Fairfax County, Virginia Public Records. A Fairfax County Inmate search can provide interested individuals with some information regarding the arrest records of an inmate.
According to section § 8.01-327.1 of the Virginia Code, an arrest is the lawful apprehension or detention of a person. In Virginia, when this happens through a private citizen that witnessed a public offense and then makes an arrest, it is called a citizen's arrest.
Additionally, arrests occur when a warrant is issued and when an officer has credible reasons to believe that a person has committed an offense. After a person is arrested in Fairfax, the defendant may undergo a booking procedure during which an official arrest report is generated.
Consequently, one of the following outcomes is possible:
- The individual will be released if the prosecutor does not file charges
- The individual or defendant will be required to post bail/bond or will be released with the promise of appearing for arraignment at a later date
- The defendant will remain in custody and be transferred to the trial court for arraignment.
Going forward, a trial court may impose incarceration on a defendant, sending them to a local jail or state prison for a brief or lengthy period of time, depending on the nature of the charge and the specifics of the case. Depending on the severity of crimes and court orders, the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department operates one primary detention facility (ADC), an alternative facility, and a Juvenile Centre in Fairfax County:
- Fairfax County VA Adult Detention Center
- Fairfax VA Juvenile Detention Center
- Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB)
In some cases, arrested fellows may end up on the Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB), supervised by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s office.
In some cases, arrested fellows may end up on the Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB), which is also supervised by the Fairfax County Sheriff’s office. The Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB) connected to the Adult Detention Center, provides housing for offenders granted alternative sentencing options, such as Work Release and Community Labor Force. The AIB also serves as the main base for Electronic Incarceration. In Fairfax County, The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) operates a secure facility (probation and parole office) to care for and supervise state-incarcerated individuals.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Fairfax County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
Fairfax County reported a significant decrease in total crime in 2021, as overall crime in Fairfax County decreased by 9.6 percent. This decrease owed to decreases in robberies, burglaries, auto theft, domestic assaults, and larcenies. The decline in crime resulted in 3,187 fewer victims in 2021 than in 2020. In 2021, there were 1 percent fewer robberies than in 2020. In 2021, the rate of domestic assaults decreased by 4% compared to 2020. In 2021, there were 11 percent fewer burglaries than in 2020. In 2021, auto theft decreased by 8% compared to 2020. Thefts from motor vehicles decreased by 17% in 2021.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) saw decreases in the majority of major crime categories, largely as a result of its emphasis on community partnerships and data-driven policing. FCPD revised a number of pertinent policies in 2021 to better align the department with national best practices, enhance officer and community safety, and uphold the department's commitment to transparency.
Fairfax County Prison System
The Fairfax County Jail System is managed by the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department. The jail system houses individuals who have been sentenced to a term of confinement by the court, those who are awaiting trial/sentencing or transfer, and those who have violated the terms of their probation or parole.
- The county's jail system consists primarily of 2 detention facilities and a third facility that provides alternatives to traditional incarceration while maintaining public safety (AIB)
- The county's jail system consists primarily of 2 detention facilities and a third facility that provides alternatives to traditional incarceration while maintaining public safety (AIB)
- Fairfax County VA Adult Detention Center (ADC)
- Fairfax VA Juvenile Detention Center
- Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB).
According to standards set by the Virginia Department of Correction, the Fairfax County VA Adult Detention Center can house up to 1,260 inmates. The Adult Detention Centre (ADC) is the primary facility managed by the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department. The Alternative Incarceration Branch is connected to the Adult Detention Centre and is responsible for housing offenders granted alternative sentencing options. The Juvenile Detention Center is a secure 121-bed facility currently staffed at 55 beds. As ordered by the Juvenile Court, the facility provides pre-dispositional, post-dispositional, and/or pre-placement detention for juveniles.
Since the Adult Detention Centre is the primary detention facility in Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Corrections also uses the Fairfax County ADC for housing probation violators in Fairfax County. In addition to incarceration, the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center also provides several support programs, including religious programs, educational programs, and volunteer services.
How to Find an Inmate in Fairfax County
The best way to locate or obtain information about any inmate at the Fairfax County VA Adult Detention Center is to contact the County Jail.
Questions about Fairfax County inmates should be directed to the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department at (703) 246-3227. This telephone line is accessible around-the-clock. To get necessary information and prompt directions, each caller will have to provide the prisoner's complete name, date of birth, date of arrest, or booking number.
Alternatively, a requesting individual may also obtain inmate information by calling the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center at (703) 246-2100 or by sending a fax to the same number.
How Does a Fairfax County Inmate Search Work?
Inmate records for Fairfax County are public documents per the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Thus, interested person may obtain inmate records unless the information is exempt from disclosure by law. Thus, anyone conducting an inmate search through local law enforcement agencies has access to a vast amount of information.
These details include:
- An inmate's full name
- Photograph
- Date of birth
- Physical description (weight, height, hair color etc)
- Case information
- Bail amount
- Next court date
- Sex, race, and age
- Booking number
- Arrest information
- Release information (release date, time, reason, description, and agency)
- Housing location
Where to Find a Fairfax County Inmate Locator
An inmate locator is a search engine that provides information on inmates housed in a particular region or jail/prison facility. Local, state, and federal correctional agencies provide inmate locator services frequently as a public service to promote community safety.
The county of Fairfax does not operate a local inmate locator. However, interested parties can call the Adult Detention Centre at (703) 246-2100 to inquire about particular offenders in a Fairfax county jail.
If the offender is in the custody of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC), it may be possible to search for an offender location and release date using VADOC’s inmate locator. Offenders who are not in the custody of VADOC will not appear in search results.
For any search on the VADOC Inmate Locator, requesters will be required to enter:
- Either the first letter of the inmate's first name AND their last name (In Full) or
- The inmate's seven-digit Offender ID number for all searches on the VADOC Inmate Locator.
Aside from the inmate locators provided by correctional agencies, third-party public records websites may provide search tools for locating inmate records. These websites typically use an inmate's first or last name and the name of a U.S. state as search criteria. However, it should be noted that viewing a record may incur a fee (this fee varies by site).
How to Send Money to a Fairfax County Inmate
Through the Adult Detention Centre (ADC), the Fairfax County Sheriff's Department provides specific channels for friends and family members who wish to deposit funds into an inmate's trust or cash account.
Any of the following channels may be used to send money to an inmate in Fairfax County:
- The money safe in the ADC lobby accepts money orders and cashier checks, but they must be made out to the inmate's full name (no personal checks or cash). The sender must include their own name and address along with the inmate's number. The money order or cashier's check should not be enclosed in an envelope, nor should any correspondence be included.
- Senders may also use the kiosk facility in the ADC lobby, which accepts cash and credit cards.
- Senders can equally use SmartInmate to make an online credit card payment. Note that this vendor charges service fee.
Generally, the inmate will have access to the deposited funds within 72 hours. To offset the cost of their housing, inmates are charged $2.00 per day of incarceration. (The Virginia Code permits a daily charge of up to $3.00) If an inmate does not have sufficient funds to cover this fee, his or her account will be debited daily until a deposit is made. The inmate will have access to the account balance once the account has been reconciled.
How to Visit a Fairfax County Inmate
Prior to visiting an inmate at the Fairfax county prison, all visitors must be registered on the visitors list. Before proceeding to visit an inmate, it is crucial to confirm authorization with the prison authorities by using the contact us section of the Fairfax County ADC website.
Two types of visits are permitted at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center: personal and professional.
- Personal Visiting
At the Fairfax County ADC, Video Visiting has replaced in-person visits. Individuals who are authorized for visitation are permitted one 15- or 30-minute video visit per day. The cost per minute for remote video visits is $0.10. However, using the kiosk in the lobby of the Adult Detention Center to conduct video visits on-site happens at no cost.
Visits must be scheduled and paid for via Smart Communications, as well as conducted during the specified hours. Additionally, visits must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, the inmate might not be informed of the upcoming visit.
These visits must be scheduled in advance, Tuesday through Sunday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Smart Communications is utilized for payment and scheduling of video visits. Please note that all inquiries should be directed to this vendor. Requests for scheduling should not be sent to the Sheriff's Office. Visitors can get more information on how video visiting works by checking the regulations around this new initiative in Fairfax county.
- Professional Visiting
In addition to video visits, the Fairfax county jail also allows professional visits. During designated hours, inmates are permitted confidential visits with attorneys, probation officers, and law enforcement officials. Unlike the regular demand for pre-scheduling in personal visits, the Sheriff's Office no longer requires prior scheduling for professional in-person visits, however, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in Virginia are required to request prior approval before their visit.
Violation of visiting regulations may result in the termination of visits and additional sanctions for either the visitor or the inmate. On the sheriff's website, interested parties can find the regulations for personal or professional visits.
How to Send Jail Mail in Fairfax County.
Since August 23, 2021, the Adult Detention Center (ADC) and Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB) of the Fairfax County Jails have ceased accepting Personal Mail for inmates. This measure was taken to prevent the introduction of contraband into the facilities and ensure the safety of all inmates and staff. Legal and Professional Mail is still accepted at the ADC and AIB. It must be marked Legal Mail and originate from the inmate's attorney on file, a Commonwealth's attorney, or the courts.
Even though the detention facilities no longer accept personal mail directly, mail sent to the new address listed below will be processed appropriately:
Smart Communications/FXCOADC
Inmate Name/ Inmate Number
P.O. 9128
Seminole, FL 33775-9128
Senders can learn more about the new policy for different types of inmate mails by visiting the Sheriff’s website.
Fairfax County Probation and Parole
In Fairfax County, depending on the specifics of a case, convicted offenders might be eligible for probation as an alternative to incarceration. In the Probation and Parole section of the Virginia Code, the legal criteria used by courts to determine whether or not to grant probation are outlined. According to these regulations, a large number of defendants are presumed to be eligible for probation, unless probation is prohibited for their offense.
In Virginia, probation is broadly classified as either Unsupervised or Supervised.
A person on unsupervised probation would not be required to meet with a probation officer. The only conditions of their probation may be good behavior and compliance with all Commonwealth of Virginia laws and ordinances. In contrast, if a defendant is placed on supervised probation, a probation officer is assigned to monitor their compliance with the given terms for their probation. They would be required to meet regularly with their probation officer.
There are two levels of probation supervision:
- Low-level Supervision. In this type of probation, a monthly phone check-in or face-to-face meeting with the probation officer is required.
- Intensive supervision. If a defendant is placed on intensive supervision, they are required to meet with their probation officer more frequently, both in the office and in the community.
In Fairfax County, Community Corrections Services is the local agency that supervises court-ordered probation for juveniles. The agency ensures probationers comply with court-ordered conditions to avoid jail time and other punishments. Their website has additional information regarding their probation services. Additionally, the Probation Information Center can be reached via telephone at (703) 324-7329. On the other hand, on adult related court-ordered probations, the Fairfax office of the Virginia Department of Correction is responsible for handling those matters.
Parole, on the other hand, is a correctional program that allows prisoners in a Virginia prison to be temporarily or permanently released prior to the completion of their sentence, on the condition that they uphold good behavior in their community (Fairfax County) and fulfill definite responsibilities.
All parole decisions, policies, and rulings are handled by the Virginia Parole Board (VPB). On the VPB website, individuals can learn more about eligibility and the parole process.
According to the Virginia Code's Probation and Parole Section, inmates must meet parole eligibility requirements before the Virginia Parole Board (VPB) grants or denies any parole petition. A paroled offender is required to reside in the county where they last legally resided before incarceration. Additionally, they must report in person to their parole officer at scheduled times.
Residents of Fairfax County who violate the terms of their parole risk being returned to the county jail, where they will serve the remainder of their sentence.
Virginia Department of Correction, Fairfax
District 29 (Additional Office in Alexandria)
10680 Main Street, Suite 300
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 934-0880
Fairfax County Jails and Prisons
The following table contains the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the jails and prisons in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Fairfax County VA Adult Detention Center
10520 Judicial Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 246-2100
Alternative Incarceration Branch (AIB
10520b Judicial Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 246-4478
Fairfax VA Juvenile Detention Center
10650 Page Avenue
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 246-2844
For current city jail information (names, addresses, and phone numbers) in Fairfax County, a person can visit the website of the local law enforcement agency.
