Frequently Asked Questions

If you wish to make a commendation recognizing the actions of a deputy or about any aspect of law enforcement, correctional, or court service operations provided by the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office, you can:

• Come to the office and tell any employee that you want to make a commendation
• Call the office and tell the person answering the phone that you want to make a commendation
• Write your commendation letter and mail it to the Sheriff at the address listed below:

Sheriff, City of Roanoke
Professional Standards Unit
340 Campbell Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

Submitting a Form

The PSU Lieutenant or other supervisory deputy can assist you in filling out a commendation form (PDF), if necessary. This form asks you to identify yourself and give specific details about your commendation request. You may be contacted at a later date and asked to provide additional information regarding the commendation request.

Your commendation request will then be forwarded to the Sheriff or designee for review.

If you wish to make a complaint about the actions of a deputy or about any aspect of law enforcement, correctional, or court services operations, you can:

• Come to the office and tell any employee that you want to make a complaint
• Call the office and tell the person answering the phone that you want to make a complaint
• Write your complaint and mail it to the Sheriff at the address listed below:

Sheriff, City of Roanoke
Professional Standards Unit
340 Campbell Avenue, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

Submitting a Form

The PSU Lieutenant or other supervisory deputy will assist you in filling out a complaint form (PDF). This form asks you to identify yourself and then to give specific details about your complaint. Your complaint will then be investigated. You may be contacted and asked additional questions about your complaint.

If it is going to take a long time to investigate your complaint, you will receive a letter telling you approximately when you may expect a reply. When your complaint has been investigated, the sheriff or designee will review the investigation and will write you a letter explaining the results of the investigation.

Any electronic devices (i.e., phones, cameras, laptops, tablets, MP3 players,smart watches, etc.) and anything that may be considered a weapon and/or considered a security risk (i.e., guns, knives, stun devices, handcuff keys, pepper spray, etc.).

The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yes. All persons entering any courtroom must dress and act in a respectful and appropriate manner indicative of the dignity of court proceedings. Each court determines appropriate dress and action for that court.

Court Dress Code Restrictions
Please be aware that some courts do not permit:

• Short/Tank Tops
• Hat, headbands or kerchiefs, except for religious or medical needs
• Excessive or inappropriate body exposure
• Sunglasses except for medical needs
• Bare feet, flip-flops, slippers
• Clothing with wording or picture that is obscene, offensive or vulgar
• Exposed underwear
• Chewing gum, tobacco, drinks or food

Adult visitors are admitted Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 7:30PM-11 PM. Children ages 13 and under are permitted on Saturdays from 8AM-11 AM. Approved visitors will be permitted to visit for approximately 20 minutes and visit only once during a 7 day period.

Cash, certified checks or money orders may be mailed to the individual in care of the Roanoke City Jail. Also, secure drop boxes are located in the visitation lobby at 324 Campbell Avenue, the Jail Annex lobby and also in the Roanoke City Jail Administrative Office lobby at 317 Church Avenue.

Certified checks and money orders must be made out to the order of the Roanoke City Jail Inmate Fund and put the inmate’s name in the memo section. There is also a kiosk in the main jail lobby that accepts cash ($5 or more) or credit/debit cards. Money posted to an inmate's account using the kiosk will be available for use immediately. There is a fee to use this service which is deducted at the time of the deposit. In order for someone to leave money on an inmate's account using this system, the person must have either the inmate's ID number or the inmate's NAME and DATE OF BIRTH. The person must also have a valid government issued ID with a 2D bar code or magnetic strip. Money may also be deposited via the internet. Persons may visit the following: govpaynow.com, mycropay.com or MoneyGram (Walmart) to make online deposits.

The mailing address for inmates is:

Smart Communications - Roanoke City Jail
Inmate Name - ID Number
3735 Franklin RD SW #275
Roanoke, Va 24016

The inmate's name and ID number must be clearly printed on the outside of the envelope or postcard to ensure the mail is posted correctly. Mail not containing the inmate ID Number and name will be "Return to Sender."

Cash is no longer accepted through postal mail. Please mail envelopes containing a money order and a blank cover page to the following address:

Roanoke City Jail
Attention: Inmate Accounts
324 Campbell Ave SW
Roanoke, VA 24016

Make Money orders payable to:

Roanoke City Jail Inmate Fund c/o "Inmate's Full Legal Name"
* In the memo line: Inmate ID Number

Please include your contact information if there is a discrepancy.

No. Inmates are only permitted to make outgoing calls. They are not limited as to the number of calls made during normal operating hours, however, the phone system will only limit calls to approximately 30 minutes in length. There is a charge to the person receiving the collect call from the inmate.

If someone does not wish to receive calls from an inmate or inmates, they can contact Securus Technologies directly at 1-800-844-6541

Yes. The Roanoke City Jail operates a Medical Co-Payment Program under the authority of the Code of Virginia. Inmates pay a co-payment for various medical services such as dental visits, sick call, jail/other doctor visits and prescription handling fees.

However, medical care is never refused to an inmate because of inability to pay. These co-payments are utilized as a source to help off-set the rising costs of medical care.

Inmates are charged $1 per day for each day they serve at the Roanoke City Jail to help offset the cost of their incarceration. Different rules apply for those inmates serving weekends, work release program participants, federal prisoners and those inmates who work as trustees.

Only cash and prescription medication in original packaging (subject to approval from the medical staff) are allowed. No other items will be permitted