Divisions

The Detention Center Security Division is commanded by a Major, and assisted by a Captain whom is the Assistant Chief Correctional Officer, and 5 Lieutenants. The detention center staff is divided into 4 watches of 29 deputies each. Each Watch includes a Lieutenant who serves as Watch Commander, and (2) Sergeants who serve as Assistant Watch Commanders. The Detention Center Division administers Programs such as the Records and Classification.

Detention Center Records Section This section is responsible to develop and maintain detention center and resident records such as Criminal History Record Information, Correctional Status Information and Conviction Data. They are also responsible for examining court documents, preparing sentence computation and correspondence with other institutions. This section disseminates only that information that is necessary and public based upon current legal authorities. The Records Clerk Supervisor is responsible to ensure that information is purged and stored and/or destroyed in accordance with legislative requirements. They maintain and control custody of inmate money housed in the records section and prepare financial reports related to inmates' accounts. Records personnel prepare court dockets and notify appropriate personnel for transportation of inmates to the appropriate court. This section also manages the collection of co-payment fees and the notification of the inmates of the seizure of funds for this collection. This section is currently staffed by 4 Detention Center records clerks (deputies) and a LIDS deputy. They are supervised by the records clerk supervisor (sergeant) who is also assigned to the daylight shift.

The Intake Section, which falls under the supervision of the Detention Center Security Division Commander, is responsible for all new intakes in the Roanoke City Detention Center. The intake section is comprised of a daylight Lieutenant, a daylight Sergeant, a permanent daylight deputy, and 4 different platoons (each which is comprised of a Sergeant, Master Deputy and three (3) Intake Specialist Deputies). All new intakes to the Roanoke City Detention Center must first come through the Intake Section for proper and consistent commitments, including photographs, fingerprinting, services needed and housing (Classification Section). The Mental Health Unit (refer under Inmate Programs) is another responsibility of the Intake Section.

A total of 31 full time and 15 part time staff members are divided into a division of support services. The division is commanded by the Chief Services Officer, who holds the rank of Major. The Chief Services Officer is assisted by the Assistant Chief Services Officer, who holds the rank of Captain. The services division administers Inmate Programs which include:

• Mental Health Unit
• Canteen Services
• GED Program
• Inmate Counseling
• Library Program
• Maintenance
• Medical Sections
• Property/Laundry
• Recreation
• Special Education

The medical section is operated by NaphCare and is staffed by 24 medical personnel including a part time jail physician, full time psychiatrist, part time dentist, Health Services Administrator and assistant administrator, registered nurses and licensed professional nurses, dental assistants, a secretary and records clerk. Nurses are assigned to the jail 24 hours a day.

The Jail Services Division also has the assistance of 3 full-time substance abuse counselors employed by Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.

The Intake Section, which falls under the supervision of the Support Services Division Commander, is responsible for all new intakes in the Roanoke City Jail. The intake section is comprised of a daylight Lieutenant, a daylight Sergeant, a permanent daylight deputy, and 4 different platoons (each which is comprised of a Sergeant, Master Deputy and three (3) Intake Specialist Deputies). All new intakes to the Roanoke City Jail must first come through the Intake Section for proper and consistent commitments, including photographs, fingerprinting, services needed and housing (Classification Section). The Mental Health Unit (refer under Inmate Programs) is another responsibility of the Intake Section.

In 1983, the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office also installed 3 walk-through metal detectors at the entrances to each level of the courtrooms. These walk-through detectors, supplemented by the hand held detectors, have prevented guns, knives and other dangerous weapons from entering the courtrooms.

Since 1983, we have added a 4th walk-through metal detector to screen people whose primary business was with the juvenile courts.

Despite the fact more judges have been added and our workload has increased considerably since moving into the present courthouse, we have still maintained the highest level of safety and security to all personnel using the Roanoke City Courthouse.

The Roanoke City Courthouse is located at 315 Church Avenue in downtown Roanoke. The current courthouse opened in January 1983, replacing a very antiquated building built in 1915.

When the courthouse was in the planning stages, the Sheriff's Office was involved in the designing of the various security aspects of the building. There is a large inmate holding area in the basement where inmates are kept until they are needed in court. The court holding area is connected to the jail by a secure hallway. This area is completely inaccessible to the public. The court holding area allows inmates to be transported by way of secure elevators to their particular court. Located behind each courtroom, there are temporary holding cells where inmates are kept when not in the courtroom. Because of these features, an inmate can be brought from the jail to court and back to jail without ever leaving a secure area.

One of the primary objectives of the Court Services Divisions is to serve all civil process papers in a timely manner. In the fiscal year 2019-2020, The Civil Process Servers served over 80,000 papers in the City of Roanoke that were issued by courts throughout the state, as well as out-of-state papers, and papers issued for service from citizens, businesses or firms. There are currently (6) Civil Process Servers working for the Sheriff's Office.

Hours

The Roanoke City Sheriff's Office Civil Division is open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Fees

Service fees for serving Civil Process are as follows:

• In-state service: $12 per paper served
• Out-of-state service: $75 per paper served

Fees for serving Civil Process must be paid in advance by business check or cash to the Sheriff's Office or to the appropriate Court of jurisdiction. Return of service will be forward to the appropriate Court of jurisdiction or citizen, business or firm requesting the service.

Helpful Resources

To determine if an address is located in the City of Roanoke go to Roanoke City's GIS Mapping Site or call the Civil Department at 540-853-2721.

Transportation Section The jail's transportation section is responsible for the transportation needs of approximately 18,000 inmates or other persons remanded to the custody of the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office each year. They also travel about 130,000 miles each year conducting these transports by both land and air. These transports include:

• Court appearances
• Extradition of fugitives
• Funeral attendance
• Medical appointments
• Service of temporary mental health detention orders (TDO's) and emergency custody orders (ECO's)
• Transportation between penal institutions
• Travel between mental hospitals and other psychiatric facilities
• Warrant service

There are currently 4 deputies assigned to this section who work a day/evening swing shift. They are supervised by 2 transportation supervisors who holds the rank of sergeant and works a day/evening swing shift.