FAQs: Pre-Release Center

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General Information about the Pre-Release Center (PRC)

• Where is the PRC?
  
  
• What is the main phone number at the PRC?
  
  
• How do I find out information such as court dates and bond amounts?
  
  
• What programs are available to inmates in the PRC that are different from in the Adult Detention Center?

Inmate Contact/Visiting

• Do I need to schedule an inmate visit?
  
  
• How do I find out if I am on the inmate's visiting list?
  
  
• On what day can I visit the inmate, and how many people can I bring?
  
  
• How long are the visits?
  
  
• What type of property can I leave for an inmate?
  
  
• Can the inmate make phone calls?
  
  
• Can I call or leave a message for an inmate in the PRC?
  
  
• What items can an inmate receive in the mail?
  
  
• What information do I have to write on the envelope to ensure that an inmate receives mail?
  

Inmate Money/Possessions

• How do I leave an inmate money and in what form?
  
  
• Where is the best place to get a cashier’s check/money order?
  
  
• What information do I have to put on the cashier's check/money order?
  
  
• Do I make the cashier's check/money order payable to the inmate or the Pre-Release Center?
  
  
• How long will it take to deposit the money into the inmate’s account?
  
  
• How long does it take before the inmate has access to his/her money?
  
  
• Is there a limit to the amount of money I can place into an inmate’s account?
  
  
• Can an inmate’s money be used to bond him/her out of the Pre-Release Center?
  
  
• Can I get information about an inmate’s account? (how much money does he/she have in their account, what have they purchased from the commissary, etc.).
  
  
• What can an inmate purchase with the money I leave in his/her account?
  
  
• Can inmates purchase tobacco products from the commissary?
  
  
• How can an inmate get his money after he or she is released?\

Inmate Privileges

• Are inmates allowed recreation?
  
  
• Are inmates allowed to wash their clothes?
  
  
• Are inmates allowed medical prescriptions?
  
  
• Are inmates allowed to go to a family member's funeral?
  
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Where is the PRC?
The facility is adjacent to the Adult Detention Center in downtown Fairfax, at 10520B Judicial Drive, just west of Chain Bridge Road.

What is the main phone number at the PRC?
703-246-4478

How do I find out information such as court dates and bond amounts?
Call the Inmate Records or Booking Desk staff at 703-246-2100. The hearing impaired TTY number is 711.

What programs are available to inmates in the PRC that are different from in the Adult Detention Center?
The PRC houses the Alternative Incarceration Program, which includes work release, community labor force and weekenders in jail.

Do I need to schedule an inmate visit?
No appointments are needed for visiting the PRC. However, all visitors must be listed on the inmate's visiting card prior to visiting. Visitors must bring proper identification: current/valid state residency ID, student ID or valid drivers license. The PRC no longer accepts passports as a form of identification for entry.

How do I find out if I am on the inmate's visiting list?
The inmate can let you know or you can go to the PRC and ask in person. The Sheriff's Office will not give this information out over the phone.

On what day can I visit the inmate, and how many people can I bring?
First you need to find out the unit to which the inmate has been assigned by calling the PRC. Visits may include no more than four people, including infants and children.

• A-Unit: Saturday 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• B-Unit
  • Non-Community Labor Force: Saturday 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
  • Community Labor Force only: Sunday: 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• C-Unit: Saturday 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

How long are the visits?
Visits are one hour.

What type of property can I leave for an inmate?

• You may leave one suit or set of clothing for appearances in Circuit and Federal Courts only. These clothes must be exchanged for those being held in the inmate’s property for safekeeping. The inmate must submit a release form for the clothes in his/her property to the property deputy at least 24 hours prior to the exchange.
• No other items can be left for the inmate. The inmate may purchase all other items such as socks, underwear, hygiene items, snacks, over the counter medications, and stationery from the inmate commissary twice per week. If a holiday occurs during the week, commissary is available once per week.
• Additional items for Work Release inmates only:
  • 3 business suits or work uniforms
  • 3 neckties
  • 5 shirts (plain)
  • 3 trousers (plain)
  • 2 belts (no metal or stone studs)
  • 2 pairs of shoes
  • 1 outer jacket/coat
  • 2 hats/caps/scarves
  • 1 hair dryer
  • 1 watch
  • 2 hair ties or similar accessories
  • 1 wallet
  • up to 10 cosmetic items (females only)
  • 1 curling iron (females only)

Can the inmate make phone calls?
Yes. Upon admission, inmates are allowed reasonable access to phones to make official and personal outgoing phone calls. Upon classification and transfer to an assigned housing area, inmates are allowed to make personal collect phone calls (local and long distance). Inmates are allowed to make free local official calls to their attorneys, probation and parole officers, bonding agent, and some community agencies.

Friends and family of inmates can establish a PRE-PAID COLLECT ACCOUNT online to receive calls from the Adult Detention Center and/or the Pre-Release Center. The addition of funds to existing accounts can also be done online. Copy and paste this Web site address into your browser to set up your account: www.icsolutions.com. For more information, call IC Solutions at 888-506-8407.

Can I call or leave a message for an inmate in the PRC?
Inmates may not receive incoming phone calls. Only verified emergency messages will be delivered to inmates.

What items can an inmate receive in the mail?
Inmates can receive personal and legal correspondence. There is no restriction on the number of letters sent or received. Inmates are not allowed to have books or magazines as part of their personal property in the cell, so they may not receive these items in the mail. C.O.D. and postage due mail will not be accepted. Money sent in the form of a cashier’s check or money order will be held and deposited into the inmate’s financial account. Cash and personal checks will not be accepted. Incoming mail will be opened and checked for contraband. Sexually explicit items may not be received. Illegal items discovered in the inmate’s incoming mail will be seized. The inmate and the sender will be notified if the item is seized. Both parties are subject to criminal charges for any illegal items discovered in the inmate’s incoming mail. Any item sent to an inmate that is not accepted in the PRC and is not illegal will be returned to sender. If a letter has one item enclosed that is considered contraband, the entire envelope and contents will be returned. A notification of mail return will be sent to both the sender and the inmate if an item is not allowed into the PRC.

Items commonly RETURNED by the PRC include:

• letters or envelopes with lipstick or any type of stain or liquid mark on them
• blank stationery, envelopes, post cards or greeting cards
• musical or oversized cards
• plastic cards or book markers
• money orders not filled out
• personal checks, travelers checks or cash
• gang-related material
• photographs of nude or partially clothed individuals
• stickers on letters
• stamp(s) or self-addressed stamped envelopes
• items taped or glued to letters or cards
• magazine pages, newspaper clippings or book pages (original or copies)
• more than five Internet printouts
• more than 10 pictures in an envelope (photos no larger than 4" X 6")
• bank statements, credit card information or identifying documents

What information do I have to write on the envelope to ensure that an inmate receives mail?
Inmate’s full name (first name, middle name or initial, and last name)
Fairfax County Pre-Release Center
10520 Judicial Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030 

How do I leave an inmate money and in what form?
Only money orders and cashier’s checks are accepted (no personal checks or cash). The money order or cashier’s check must be made out to the inmate's full name and include the inmate’s number. Include your name and address, and place it in the money safe located in the Pre-Release Center lobby. There are two safes in the lobby. The money safe is the one on the left. Cash and personal checks will not be accepted. Please do not enclose any correspondence to the inmate with the money order or cashier’s check; it will be disposed of and not delivered to the inmate. Please do not enclose the money order in an envelope. It could be mistaken for correspondence and discarded.

Where is the best place to get a cashier’s check/money order?
Most banking facilities and convenience stores will issue cashier’s check/money order.

What information do I have to put on the money order?
Include the inmate's full name, inmate number, and your name and address.

Do I make the money order out to the inmate or the Pre-Release Center?
Make it payable to the inmate, not the Pre-Release Center.

How long will it take to deposit the money into the inmate’s account?
The money will be deposited into the inmate’s account on the next business day after it is received. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

How long does it take before the inmate has access to his/her money?
The inmate has access to the money the day after it is deposited. Please note that inmates are charged $1 per day of incarceration to offset the cost of their housing. An inmate who does not have funds to cover this fee will have his or her account debited each day until a deposit is made. Then the account is reconciled, and the inmate has access to the account balance.

Is there a limit to the amount of money I can place into an inmate’s account?
No, there is no limit.

Can an inmate’s money be used to bond him/her out of jail?
The inmate can release the money to anyone he/she wishes, including a bonding company or the magistrate’s office, by completing and signing a release of funds form.

Can I get information about an inmate’s account? For example, how much money does he/she have in the account, what has he/she purchased from the commissary, etc.?
Information about an inmate’s account cannot be released to anyone but the inmate, even if the person asking for the information is the one placing the money into the inmate’s account.

What can an inmate purchase with the money I leave in his/her account?
An inmate may purchase commissary items such as snacks, toiletries, and over the counter medications; medical and dental services; haircuts and beard trims; and notary services. Note: Inmates will still receive medical and dental services even if they have no money in their accounts.

Can inmates purchase tobacco products from the commissary?
No. The Pre-Release Center is a smoke-free facility. 

How can an inmate get his money after he or she is released?
Call 703-246-2100, press option 4, then option 4 (again), and you will be connected to the Finance Office. You will be asked to provide an address so that your funds (in the form of a check) can be mailed to you.