Sussex County Inmate Population Search
The Sussex County inmate population is managed by the Sussex County Sheriff's Office, a rural county in southeastern Virginia that sits between Greensville and Prince George counties. Sussex is notable because the VADOC operates two state prisons within its borders: Sussex I State Prison and Sussex II State Prison. Local custody for people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences is handled at the county jail. This page covers how to find someone in county or state custody, how VINE works for this area, and how to get records through FOIA.
Sussex County Overview
Sussex County Jail and Sheriff's Office
The Sussex County Sheriff's Office handles local inmate custody and maintains all booking records for the county jail. Under Virginia Code § 53.1-31, the sheriff is the legal custodian of all records on people held in the county facility. If someone was arrested in Sussex County and is still awaiting trial or serving a sentence of twelve months or less, they are most likely in the county jail under sheriff's custody.
Sussex County also happens to be home to two major VADOC facilities. Sussex I State Prison and Sussex II State Prison both sit within the county, but those are state prisons, not the county jail. People at the county jail are under the sheriff's authority. People at Sussex I or Sussex II are in state custody under VADOC. These are entirely separate systems. Do not confuse them when you are searching for someone.
Under Virginia Code § 53.1-116, the sheriff must record the name, charges, and date of confinement for every person booked into custody. Those records can be requested by Virginia residents through a FOIA request.
Note: Sussex I State Prison and Sussex II State Prison are VADOC facilities, separate from the county jail. Search VADOC for state inmates.
Search Sussex County Inmate Population with VINE
Virginia VINE connects to the Sussex County Jail and lets you search the local inmate population online without calling. Go to vavine.org or vinelink.com and search by last name. The system runs around the clock and is completely free. You can register for custody alerts that notify you by phone, text, email, or TTY. The toll-free VINE hotline is 1-800-467-4943.
VINE alerts cover release, transfer, escape, recapture, and death. The search is anonymous. No account is needed to look someone up. To get alerts, you just need to provide a contact method such as a phone number or email address. If you are looking for someone in Sussex I or Sussex II State Prison, use the VADOC Offender Locator instead, since those are state facilities and not covered by the local VINE search.
VADOC Facilities in Sussex County
Sussex County is home to two VADOC Eastern Region prisons. Sussex I State Prison is at 24414 Musselwhite Drive, Waverly, VA 23891, phone (804) 834-9967. Sussex II State Prison is at 24427 Musselwhite Drive, Waverly, VA 23891, phone (804) 834-2678. These are medium to high security state facilities that hold inmates from across Virginia, not just Sussex County residents. Both are part of the VADOC Eastern Region.
To search for someone at either of these facilities, use the VADOC Offender Locator. Enter the full last name and first initial. The search returns the inmate's current facility, inmate ID, and projected release date. Because Sussex County hosts two large state prisons, you may find that someone you are looking for from outside the county is housed here even though they were sentenced elsewhere in Virginia.
The full directory of Eastern Region facilities is available at the VADOC facilities and offices page. Other nearby Eastern Region facilities include Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, phone (434) 535-7000, and Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake, phone (757) 421-0095.
Note: VADOC updates its database within 60 days of sentencing. A person may not appear in the system immediately after court.
Court Records and Sussex County Inmates
The Sussex County Circuit Court Clerk holds the paper case files for every criminal matter processed through the local courts. The Virginia Judicial System provides free online access to Circuit and General District Court case records statewide. Search by name or case number to see charges, court dates, and sentencing information. Most searches are free. Certified copies of documents cost a small fee.
Court records and correctional records are maintained by different offices. The Clerk holds the legal case file. The Sheriff or VADOC holds the inmate file. For a complete picture you need both. For personal criminal history, the Virginia State Police manages the Central Criminal Records Exchange under § 19.2-389. Mail requests to P.O. Box 85076, Richmond, VA 23261-5076. See the State Police records page for forms.
Sussex County Inmate Records and FOIA
Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, § 2.2-3700 et seq., Virginia residents can request public records from the Sussex County Sheriff's Office and other county agencies. Jail logs, booking records, charge lists, and custody status are generally available. You do not need a reason. Agencies have five business days to respond.
Some records are exempt. Active investigation files can be withheld. Medical and mental health records on inmates are protected. Inmates cannot file Virginia FOIA requests under § 2.2-3703(C). Personnel records and attorney-client material are also off limits. For disputes or questions, contact the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council at (804) 698-1810 or toll-free 1-866-448-4100.
For state inmate records at Sussex I or Sussex II, submit requests to VADOC Central Records at 6900 Atmore Drive, Richmond, VA 23225, phone (804) 674-3000. State inmate records follow a different process than county records.
Victim Notification for Sussex County Inmates
Victims in Sussex County can track custody status through VINE for county jail inmates or through VADOC for state prison inmates. For anyone held in the Sussex County Jail, register at vavine.org for free alerts. For anyone held at Sussex I or Sussex II State Prison under VADOC, the agency's Victim Services program called NAAVI handles notifications. Call 1-804-674-3243 or visit the VADOC Victim Services page to enroll. VADOC typically provides 30 days advance notice before a planned release.
VINE and VADOC operate separately. One covers local jails. The other covers state prisons. If an inmate is held at one of the VADOC facilities in Sussex County, use the VADOC system, not VINE, for notifications.
The VADOC offender locator is essential for finding anyone held at Sussex I or Sussex II State Prison or any other VADOC facility.
The VADOC homepage connects to the offender locator tool, which covers both Sussex I and Sussex II State Prison in Sussex County.
Cities in Sussex County
Sussex County has no independent cities within its borders that meet the qualifying population threshold. The county seat is the town of Sussex. Nearby independent cities outside the county, such as Emporia, operate their own sheriff's offices and detention facilities. Sussex County residents are served by the county sheriff for local inmate custody.
Nearby Counties
If the person you are looking for may have been booked in a neighboring county, check these nearby sheriff's offices.