Staunton Inmate Population
Staunton is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and runs its own sheriff's office and jail with no connection to Augusta County. The Staunton inmate population is held at the city jail operated by the Staunton Sheriff's Office. You can search for current inmates, register for VINE custody alerts, and access criminal case records through the Staunton Circuit Court. This page covers each tool so you know where to go for current custody information and records requests.
Staunton Quick Facts
Staunton Sheriff and City Jail
The Staunton Sheriff's Office is the legal custodian of the Staunton inmate population. As an independent city, Staunton does not share jail facilities with Augusta County, even though the two jurisdictions are geographically adjacent. The city jail holds people awaiting trial on Staunton charges, people serving misdemeanor sentences up to twelve months, and inmates waiting on VADOC transfers. Under Virginia Code § 53.1-31, the sheriff is the official keeper of custody records for all people held in the city jail.
For current custody status, contact the Staunton Sheriff's Office directly. The office manages booking records, visitation scheduling, inmate mail, and records requests. Staunton may route some inmates to the Middle River Regional Jail, which serves multiple jurisdictions in the Shenandoah Valley area. If someone is not found at the Staunton city jail, check the VADOC Offender Locator for state-sentenced inmates or contact the regional jail if the person is serving a local sentence and the city jail is at capacity.
The state VADOC Offender Locator is the right tool for anyone who has transferred from Staunton to a state prison.
The VADOC offender locator covers state-sentenced inmates from Staunton and shows current facility location and projected release date.
Note: Staunton is an independent city. Its inmate population is held by the Staunton Sheriff's Office, not by Augusta County, even though the two share borders.
Virginia VINE for Staunton Inmate Population
The Staunton City Jail participates in Virginia VINE. Search for an inmate and register for free alerts at vavine.org or at vinelink.com. Select Virginia and then choose the Staunton facility. The system shows current custody status and allows registration for notifications by phone, email, text, or TTY. The VINE line is 1-800-467-4943 and operates all day, every day.
VINE alerts are sent for release, transfer, escape, recapture, and death in custody. It does not explain the reason for a change or give a new location. For location after a VADOC transfer, use the VADOC Offender Locator. VINE is free and anonymous. Once a Staunton inmate transfers to a state prison, VINE stops tracking them. For federal charges, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. Federal inmates are not part of the city or state system.
Staunton Court Records and Inmate Population
Court records tell you the legal reason someone is in custody. The Staunton Circuit Court Clerk holds the official case file for every criminal case in the city, including charges, plea, verdict, and sentencing order. For a free online search, use the Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System, which covers Staunton Circuit and District Court records across the state at no cost.
The jail and the court are separate systems. The jail tracks current location. The Clerk tracks court orders. If someone appears sentenced in the court system but is absent from the jail search, they may have already moved to VADOC or been released. For your own criminal history, the Virginia State Police runs the Central Criminal Records Exchange under § 19.2-389. Request through the Virginia State Police records page or mail to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076. VADOC Central Records for state-sentenced Staunton inmates is at 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225, phone (804) 674-3000.
Requesting Staunton Inmate Population Records
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act, § 2.2-3700 et seq., gives residents the right to request public records. Jail logs, booking sheets, mug shots, charges, and custody status are all public. Submit a written FOIA request to the Staunton Sheriff's Office. Include the inmate's full name, approximate booking date, and the specific records you need. Keep the request short.
Agencies have five business days to respond, with up to seven more for complex requests. Exempt categories include active investigation files, personnel records, and attorney-client privileged materials. Inmates cannot use FOIA to get their own records under § 2.2-3703(C). If a request is denied or delayed, the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council can help at foiacouncil@dls.virginia.gov or (804) 698-1810, toll-free 1-866-448-4100.
Note: Staunton state-sentenced inmates typically appear in the VADOC database within about 60 days of a final sentencing order being entered by the court.
Victim Services and Staunton Inmate Alerts
For victims connected to the Staunton inmate population, two systems cover the full custody timeline. While someone is at the Staunton City Jail, register with VINE at vavine.org or call 1-800-467-4943 for free, anonymous alerts covering release, transfer, escape, recapture, and death. Once the person transfers to a VADOC state prison, contact the VADOC Victim Services unit at 1-804-674-3243 to register for NAAVI notifications. NAAVI provides 30-day advance release notice and tracks parole, work release, name changes, escape, and recapture. Many victims register with both systems to avoid gaps in coverage between custody stages.
State Prison Transfers from Staunton
When a Staunton resident receives a sentence over twelve months, VADOC takes custody. State inmates from Staunton typically transfer to VADOC Western Region facilities, though actual placement depends on security classification and available space. Track a transferred inmate through the VADOC Offender Locator. You need the full last name and at least the first initial. Results include the inmate ID, current facility, and projected release date. The locator is free and requires no login.
- VADOC Offender Locator: vadoc.virginia.gov/general-public/offender-locator/
- VADOC Central Records: 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225, (804) 674-3000
- Virginia VINE: vavine.org or 1-800-467-4943
- Virginia State Police Records: vsp.virginia.gov/CJIS_Criminal_Record_Check.shtm
- Federal BOP Locator: bop.gov/inmateloc/
Staunton Sex Offender Registry
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry is governed by §§ 9.1-900 et seq. of the Virginia Code and maintained by the Virginia State Police. It covers registered offenders in Staunton and across the state. Search by name at sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov. Results include name, photo, conviction details, and compliance status. If an offender is in custody, the registry shows it. Registry records and inmate population records are separate. Always check VINE or the VADOC Offender Locator for current custody status on any individual.
Nearby Virginia Cities
Staunton is in the Shenandoah Valley, near Waynesboro and other independent cities in the region. These pages cover inmate population searches and custody records for nearby areas.