Sussex I State Prison
Find messaging, video, and phone options for Sussex I State Prison. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Close / Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 1,200 approx.
- Established
- 1995
- Operated By
- Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC)
Sussex I State Prison Inmate Communication Overview
Sussex I State Prison is a close-security state correctional facility operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections, located in Sussex County in the southeastern part of Virginia, roughly 40 miles south of Richmond and about 60 miles west of the Hampton Roads area. The facility was opened in the early 1990s and operates alongside Sussex II State Prison on the same grounds, with both institutions sharing administrative infrastructure. Sussex I houses adult male inmates at close-security classification, which is the designation in the Virginia system for inmates requiring a high level of supervision short of supermax-style restriction.
Communication at Sussex I follows Virginia DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and link the inmate using their Virginia DOC number to begin correspondence. GTL manages phone calls and video visitation under the VADOC statewide contract. As with other Virginia state facilities, the two-platform setup applies: JPay for messaging and money, GTL for phone and video. Both platforms serve the Virginia DOC system statewide, so accounts created for Sussex I carry over if an inmate transfers within the system.
Sussex County is rural, located between Richmond and Hampton Roads along a stretch of US-460. For families in Richmond, the facility is about 40 miles away, a straightforward drive. For Northern Virginia families, the distance is greater. Because JPay and GTL cover the entire VADOC system, families who have already set up accounts for other Virginia DOC facilities do not need to start over when dealing with Sussex I. Confirm current housing using the VADOC offender search at vadoc.virginia.gov before setting up or funding any account.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
24414 Musselwhite Drive, Waverly, VA 23891
Main Phone
(804) 834-2678
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Visiting Hours
Video visitation for the general population: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and weekends 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schedule in the VADOC Visitation Scheduler. Video visits are not available when the facility is on lockdown.
Communication Options
Available communication services at Sussex I State Prison.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Full JPay messaging available. Requires Virginia DOC number.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: GTL
Remote video visits available. Schedule in advance through GTL.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay. Subject to VADOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: GTL
Inmate-initiated calls via GTL. Fund AdvancePay account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary and personal purchases.
Communication Providers at Sussex I State Prison
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Electronic messaging, photo sharing, and trust account deposits. Uses Virginia DOC number.
View JPay ServicesGTL
Phone calls and video visitation under the Virginia DOC statewide contract.
View GTL ServicesCommunication Rules at Sussex I State Prison
- Sussex I and Sussex II are on the same grounds but operate independently. Confirm the specific facility.
- JPay and GTL are separate platforms. Messaging and phone funds do not transfer between them.
- Messages are reviewed by VADOC staff before delivery.
- VADOC system-wide accounts carry over if the inmate transfers to another Virginia facility.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sussex I State Prison
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I message someone at Sussex I State Prison?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Virginia DOC number. Purchase stamps and send your message. VADOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from Sussex I?
- Phone calls use GTL. Create an account at telmate.com or through the GTL Connect app. Set up a prepaid AdvancePay account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate calls you directly from facility phones.
- What is the difference between Sussex I and Sussex II?
- Sussex I and Sussex II are two separate state prison facilities on the same grounds in Sussex County. They have different inmate populations and classifications. Confirm which facility your loved one is assigned to using the VADOC offender search at vadoc.virginia.gov before scheduling visits or sending messages.
- How far is Sussex I from Richmond?
- Sussex I is in Waverly in Sussex County, about 40 miles south of Richmond via US-460, roughly a 45-minute drive. For Hampton Roads families, the facility is about 60 miles west. In-person visits are feasible for families in both areas.
- How do I send money to a Sussex I inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select Sussex I State Prison. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing takes one to two business days.
- How do I find someone at Sussex I?
- Use the VADOC Offender Locator at vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/offender-locator/ and search by name or the 7-digit offender ID. Confirm whether the person is at Sussex I or Sussex II, since the two facilities share grounds but operate separately.
- What are the video visitation hours at Sussex I?
- For the general population, video visits run Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and weekends 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schedule in the VADOC Visitation Scheduler. Video visits are not available during lockdowns, and a previously scheduled visit outside those hours must be rescheduled.
- How do I get approved for in-person visits at Sussex I?
- Submit a VADOC visitor application and be approved before visiting. Visits are scheduled in advance, and you must be on the inmate approved visiting list. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and follow VADOC visiting rules.
- What if my loved one is in restrictive housing at Sussex I?
- Communication and visiting privileges may be limited in restrictive housing. Confirm the housing status in the Offender Locator and check with the facility about current privileges before booking a visit or funding an account.
Troubleshooting at Sussex I State Prison
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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