Roanoke County Inmate Population Lookup
Roanoke County wraps around the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem in western Virginia. The county's inmate population is managed by the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office, which runs the local jail and holds custody records. This is a separate jurisdiction from the City of Roanoke, which has its own sheriff and jail. You can search for Roanoke County inmates through Virginia VINE, contact the Sheriff's Office by phone, or look up state-sentenced offenders through the VADOC locator. This page covers how to check on someone held in Roanoke County, what records are public, and where to send FOIA requests.
Roanoke County Quick Facts
Roanoke County Jail and Inmate Records
The Roanoke County Sheriff's Office is the custodian of all jail records under Virginia Code § 53.1-31. The jail holds pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates doing twelve months or less. Under § 53.1-116, the sheriff must keep a record of every person in custody. That includes booking date, charges, bond amount, and release info.
Don't confuse Roanoke County with the City of Roanoke. They are different jurisdictions. The county surrounds the city but has a separate sheriff, a separate jail, and separate records. If someone was arrested in the City of Roanoke, go to the City of Roanoke page instead. Salem, the county seat, is also an independent city with its own system. Check the Salem page if the arrest happened within Salem city limits.
The area around Roanoke County has a lot of overlapping jurisdictions. That is common in Virginia. Always verify the exact arrest location before searching a particular jail.
Note: Roanoke County, City of Roanoke, and City of Salem are three separate jurisdictions with three separate jails.
Search Roanoke County Inmate Population on VINE
VINE is the free public tool for checking on someone in the Roanoke County jail. Go to vinelink.com and select Virginia, then Roanoke County. The search shows current custody status: in, out, transferred, or escaped. You can sign up for automatic alerts by phone, text, or email. It is anonymous and runs 24/7.
You can also use the state VINE portal at vavine.org or call 1-800-467-4943. The phone line gives custody status by automated voice. If you are not sure whether the person is in the county jail or a state prison, check both VINE and the VADOC Offender Locator.
VADOC Western Region and Roanoke County
Roanoke County falls in the VADOC Western Region. Inmates sentenced to more than twelve months transfer to a Western Region state facility. Options include Augusta Correctional Center at (540) 997-7000, Bland Correctional Center at (276) 688-3341, Green Rock at (434) 797-2000, Keen Mountain at (276) 498-7411, Marion Correctional Treatment Center at (276) 783-7154, Red Onion State Prison at (276) 796-7510, River North at (276) 773-2518, and Wallens Ridge at (276) 523-3310. The assignment depends on security level and available space.
The transfer takes up to sixty days after sentencing. During that window, the inmate stays in the county jail and shows up on VINE. Once the person enters the state system, they appear in the VADOC offender locator with a facility name and projected release date. The full list of VADOC facilities is on the facilities page.
Roanoke County Court Records and Inmate Files
The Clerk of the Circuit Court holds the legal case file. That is the charges, pleas, trial records, and sentencing order. The Virginia courts portal lets you search case records online for free. Roanoke County sits in the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit.
For a broader criminal history, the Virginia State Police Central Criminal Records Exchange provides statewide records under § 19.2-389. Mail your request to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076. Court records and jail records are kept by different offices, so pull both if you want the full picture of someone in the Roanoke County inmate population.
Note: The Clerk of Circuit Court holds case files, while the Sheriff's Office holds custody and booking records for Roanoke County.
FOIA Requests for Roanoke County Inmate Population
Virginia's Freedom of Information Act at § 2.2-3700 et seq. gives residents the right to request inmate records. Booking logs, charge sheets, and custody status are public. Write to the Roanoke County Sheriff's Office with the records you need and the time period. The office has five business days to respond, plus up to seven more for complex requests.
Some records are exempt. Investigation files, personnel records, and attorney-client material may be withheld. Incarcerated people cannot use FOIA for their own requests under § 2.2-3703(C). The Virginia FOIA Advisory Council handles questions about denied or delayed requests. Reach them at (804) 698-1810 or 1-866-448-4100.
Victim Services for Roanoke County Inmates
VINE handles jail-level custody alerts. For state prison inmates, the VADOC Victim Services NAAVI system provides 30-day advance release notice plus updates on transfers, parole, and work release. Register for both if the person may move from county to state custody. Call VADOC Victim Services at 1-804-674-3243.
The VADOC facilities map shows where Western Region prisons are located relative to Roanoke County.
Use this page to find the address and phone number of the specific state prison where an offender from Roanoke County is held.
Cities Near Roanoke County
Roanoke County borders two independent cities. Each has its own sheriff and jail.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Roanoke County in western Virginia.