Run a Free Virginia Parole Search (Find Out Anyone’s Status)

Free Virginia Parolee Lookup
Find out if someone you know or love was released from prison on parole in Virginia, free of charge.

Conduct a free Virginia parole search today for information such as release, specific charges and sentencing.

Probation is a type of sentencing that a convict can receive in lieu of jail time. Parole, on the other hand, is a type of early release that lets prisoners get out of incarceration before the end of their sentence.

While anyone can look up Virginia public records, obtaining the most up-to-date reports can be time-consuming. This resource assists the public by providing guidance for conducting a parolee search as well as covering how to find probationers.

How To Perform a Free Virginia Parole Search

The Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) maintains an inmate locator database that includes the names and information of criminals currently incarcerated at a facility in the state.1

A screenshot showing an inmate locator requiring to enter either the first letter of the inmate's first name and last name or the inmate's seven-digit ID number, and displaying additional search options such as alias, middle name, release date, location and others.
Source: Virginia Department of Corrections1

This database doesn’t include the names of those inmates who have already been released on parole.

However, it does provide the anticipated release date for each inmate. This might provide a better idea of when a current inmate could be freed.

Fortunately, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lets the public obtain information pertaining to a current or former inmate’s criminal record.2 To receive this information, the requester must contact the Warden, Superintendent or Chief of Probation & Parole of the specific district where the inmate was previously held or the district where they are serving their parole time.3

Interested parties can contact the facility or agency by phone or mail. If mailing a request, be sure to include as much information as possible, detail exactly what information is needed and the preferred contact method. Inquirers may be required to pay a nominal fee for these services, which will be due within 30 days of receipt of the requested information.

Alternatively, another way to conduct a parole search in Virginia is to send an FOIA request to the state’s Parole Board.

Remember that this board doesn’t provide any status updates on any pending cases. Therefore, if the person of interest is still in custody, this board cannot provide any information.

To request information pertaining to a former inmate, searchers can contact the Virginia Parole Board via mail, email, phone or fax.

Virginia Parole Board
6900 Atmore Dr.
Richmond, Virginia 23225

Phone: (804)-674-3081
Fax: (804)-674-3284 

Additionally, monthly decisions by the Virginia Parole Board are made public. Interested parties can view these decisions dating back to 2018 on the website. These reports provide various pieces of information, including the person’s name, decision, date of the decision, the reason for the decisions, jurisdiction, charges and sentence.

Victims of a crime can receive notifications regarding the status of their perpetrator. Interested victims can sign up for these services through the Notification & Assistance for Victims program.4

Find Parole Violators & Absconders in Virginia

Virginia doesn’t have a dedicated database for parole violators and absconders, but this doesn’t mean that these records aren’t available. The fastest way to identify people in the state who have violated their probation regulations or absconded is to check court records using the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System.5

After agreeing to the site’s terms and conditions, requestors can search the database using all or a portion of the person’s name.

A screenshot shows an online case information system search results displaying details such as the defendant's full name, charges, case number, hearing and offense date, code section and court information from the Virginia Supreme Court website.
Source: Virginia Supreme Court5

If the person violated any of the probation rules, including absconded, new charges or a warrant for their arrest, it should be reflected on the report.

Inquirers can also check the Virginia Department of Corrections’ Most Wanted List.6

A screenshot displaying the most wanted list from the Virginia Department of Corrections website showing information such as full name, race, hair, height, sex, eyes, weight, date of birth, alias and a photo preview.
Source: Virginia Department of Corrections6

While not everyone on this list has violated probation, the most egregious violations might be listed. This list changes frequently, so it’s important to check it regularly when seeking information regarding a specific parolee.

Information about parolees in Virginia is also available at the local level. Those with concerns about a specific parolee can contact their local parole and probation office or even their local police office.

Someone who knows the whereabouts of a person with a warrant out for their arrest can make an anonymous report at (877)-896-5764 or contact their local police department.7

How To Look Up Inmates in a Virginia State Prison

The Virginia Department of Corrections maintains an inmate search database that lets anyone see who is in jail.8 By entering the person’s last name and at least a few letters of their first name, users can see results for any inmates that match. Each record provides the inmate’s ID number, current location and release date.

Alternatively, searchers can contact the department directly or conduct a parole search in Virginia to determine if the inmate was released.

Virginia Department of Corrections
Correspondence Unit
PO Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261-6963

Phone: (804)-674-3000

Those who want to visit an inmate in a Virginia jail must first complete the online visitation application.9

A screenshot that displays a visitation online application showing the visitor questionnaire part with yes or no questions such as parole or probation supervision information, juvenile or adult felony conviction details and others.
Source: Virginia Department of Corrections, Commonwealth of Virginia9

Once the department approves the application, visitors must schedule a visitation appointment online. Appointments can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance.

Most facilities in Virginia accept visits on Saturdays, Sundays and major holidays. Before scheduling an appointment, visitors should check with the specific Virginia DOC facility to verify visiting hours. All visitors must show a government-issued ID before entering.

Most inmates have the right to contact friends and family members from an approved list. Inmates can call friends and family members collect or use funds from their personal phone accounts. Funds can be added to this prepaid plan through the ConnectNetwork website.

Friends and family members can also send money to an inmate through their commissary account. Keep in mind that if the inmate owes any type of costs, fines or restitution, a portion of these funds may go toward these bills. There are several ways to add money to a commissary account, including:

  • Online through the JPay portal
  • Using the JPay mobile app
  • By phone at (800) 574-5729
  • By MoneyGram or sending a money order to:

JPay
P.O. Box 278170
Miramar, FL 33027

How To Verify When a Virginia Parole Hearing Will Be & Find Supervision Officer Details

Inmates in any jail or prison in Virginia can apply for parole as soon as they become eligible. Once the Virginia Parole Board schedules an interview, the inmate is notified as to the date and time of the hearing.10

The board also notifies victims, upon request. However, there is no public notification of parole hearings in Virginia. Requesters can contact the State’s Parole Board for more information about monthly hearings and decisions.11

Virginia Parole Board
6900 Atmore Dr.
Richmond, Virginia 23225

Phone: (804)-674-3081
Fax: (804)-674-3284

There are other ways to find out about hearings when conducting a parole search in Virginia. The best way to acquire this information is through a FOIA request. These requests can be made by mail through the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Virginia Department of Corrections
Correspondence Unit
P.O. Box 26963
Richmond, VA 23261

Phone: 804-674-3000
Email: [email protected]

How To Verify if Someone Is on Probation in Virginia at No Cost

Probation is a type of sentencing courts use for lesser and non-violent offenses. A judge can sentence offenders to probation, jail time or a combination of both. On the other hand, parole allows inmates sent to prison for more serious offenses to be released early, usually for good behavior.

Inmates must qualify for early release and receive approval from the Virginia Parole Board before being granted more freedom.12 In exchange for early release, parolees must agree to follow certain rules and regulations set by the courts and their probation officers.

The fastest way to determine if someone is on probation is through the state’s court records portal. Inquirers can search this database using the person’s first and last names. In addition to information about the crime committed and sentencing, these records also provide information about probation – including the type of probation, length of sentence, and start date.

Anyone interested can also find out if someone is on probation by contacting the local corrections department. For example, those in Fairfax County can contact the local probation office by phone, mail or in person; their contact information and address can be found below:

Fairfax County Adult Probation
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 202
Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-246-3040

This resource provides multiple methods for performing a free record search throughout the state; refer to the guidance laid out here for the best ways to gain free Virginia parole search results.


References

1Virginia Department of Corrections. (2024). Inmate Locator. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/inmate-locator/>

2Virginia Law Library. (2024). Code of Virginia: Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-freedom-of-information-act/>

3Virginia Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Facilities & Offices. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities-and-offices/>

4Virginia Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Victim Notifications. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vadoc.virginia.gov/victim-services/notifications/>

5Virginia Supreme Court. (2024). Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System 2.0. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis/landing>

6Virginia Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Most Wanted. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/most-wanted/>

7Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. (2024). Criminal Justice Directory. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/law-enforcement/programs/criminal-justice-directory>

8Virginia Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vadoc.virginia.gov/contact-us/>

9Virginia Department of Corrections, Commonwealth of Virginia. (n.d.). Visitation Application. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://visitationform.vadoc.virginia.gov/#/>

10Virginia Parole Board. (2024). Parole Decisions. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vpb.virginia.gov/parole-decisions/>

11Virginia Parole Board. (2024). Contact. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vpb.virginia.gov/contact/>

12Virginia Parole Board. (2024). About the Parole Board. Retrieved February 26, 2024, from <https://vpb.virginia.gov/about-the-parole-board/>