Frequently Asked Questions
1) Where is the Department of Corrections located?
The administrative headquarters is located at 1923 Vermont Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001; the telephone number is (202) 673-7316. The Central Detention Facility (DC Jail) is located at 1901 D Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. The telephone number is (202) 673-8136.
2) Who is the Director of the Department of Corrections?
Devon Brown serves as the Director of the Department of Corrections (January 2006).Patricia Britton serves as the Deputy Director. Other senior staff at the department includes a General Counsel, Health Services Administrator, Human Resources Administrator, Information Services Director, and a Training Administrator.
3) Who operates the Correctional Treatment Facility and where is it located?
The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) operates the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) as an annex to the DC Jail under an exclusive contract to the DC Department of Corrections (DOC). It is located at 1901 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. The CTF Command Center can be reached at (202) 547-7822.
4) What types of inmates are currently housed at the DC Jail?
The DC Jail is a correctional facility that houses pre-trial offenders, sentenced misdemeanants and convicted felons awaiting transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Only male offenders are housed at the DC Jail. Female offenders (and males) are housed at the CTF.
5) How can I obtain information on an inmate housed in the DC Jail, the Correctional Treatment Facility or a contract halfway house?
If you have a DC Department of Corrections’ (DCDC) inmate ID Number, Metropolitan Police Department identification number (PDID), inmate’s full name or the court case number, you can receive automated updates on inmate movements by calling VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) at 1-877-329-7894. If you do not have any of the above information, you can contact the DC Jail Records Office at (202) 673-8257.
6) How is an inmate’s housing location determined?
The DOC uses an Inmate Classification System. An inmate’s custody category is determined by a number of factors that include the nature of their current criminal charges, prior criminal history and prior incarceration history. The system classifies inmates in the categories of Low, Medium and High. Only Low and Medium custody inmates can be housed in the CTF.
7) How do I send mail to an inmate or make a deposit into an inmate’s commissary account?
To send mail to an inmate, include the inmate’s name, DCDC Number and the address of the DC Jail. You can now send money to an inmate through Western Union. There are three easy ways to send money:
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Walk-in cash payments - Fees are as low as $5.95. Call 1(800) 325-6000 or visit westernunion.com for agent locations.
| Pay To: |
DCDOC |
| Code City: |
DCGOV |
| State: |
DC |
| Sender's Account # |
Include Inmate # and Inmate Last Name |
| Attention |
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*If you use a credit card, you may be charged an additional cash advance fee by your credit card company for this service.
**For telephone payments sent from CT, MA, ME, MN or NY, fees are the same as cash with $3400 limit.
Deposits for commissary accounts may also be mailed in the form of a money order. Do not send cash.
8) When and how often can inmates make telephone calls?
Inmates are given personal call privileges upon their request during the intake process. Subsequent calls are made on inmate telephones located in the housing units. Legal calls are given on a regular basis and upon the inmate’s request.
9) How long does the Department of Corrections maintain an inmate's personal property?
Due to the lack of storage space in the facility, the storage of personal property is limited to fifteen (15) days; however, personal documents such as social security cards and government issued identifications are retained for as long as the inmate remains in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Personal documents are returned to the inmate upon release.
10) Are inmates provided with hygiene kits and clean clothes?
All inmates entering into the custody of the DC Department of Corrections receive a gender-specific hygiene kit that contains soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, lotion and shampoo. An inmate can get additional kits upon request.Inmates also receive one jumpsuit, two tee shirts, two pair of underwear, two sets of socks and a bedroll (blanket, washcloth, towel, and sheets). These items are exchanged on a regular basis or upon request.
11) How often are inmates permitted to shave and get haircuts?
Inmates are allowed to shave at their own discretion; however, they must request a safety razor from the Housing Unit Officer. The inmate must sign for the razor and return it to the Housing Unit Officer after use. The department provides haircuts. Each housing unit is scheduled for a haircut session every two to three weeks.
12) How often can an inmate visit the Law Library?
There is a schedule for inmates, by housing unit, to visit the Law Library one hour per week. Inmates must sign-up to visit the Law Library on the day designated for their housing unit.Inmates in protective custody and special management units submit written requests that are researched and the librarian provides the results to them. All inmates are also permitted to receive and keep legal material provided to them by their attorneys.
13) How often do inmates have access to medical care?
The department instituted an innovative model of community-oriented healthcare services for inmates. Under this model, one entity is responsible for managing District inmates through the full healthcare continuum, including primary care, specialty care, emergency care, and hospital care. Unity Health Care, the District’s largest federally qualified health center, provides this service to individuals housed at the DC Jail and CTF. Upon intake, all inmates receive a comprehensive health evaluation (including medical history, physical examination, mental health evaluation, oral screening and infectious disease screening) prior to receiving their housing assignments. All inmates have access to a medical care review on a daily basis in their housing units. Inmates in need of non-urgent health care are treated in their respective facility DC Fire and EMS transport inmates to local hospitals in need of urgent care.
14) What is the visitation schedule for inmates?
The DC Department of Corrections encourages inmates to maintain family and community ties by allowing visits. Inmates are allowed two (2) thirty-minute social visits per week. Visitations are based on the first letter of the inmate’s last name: letters A-H (Tuesday and Thursday); letters I-P (Wednesday and Friday); and letters Q-Z (Monday only; two visits). Visitation hours are from 12 noon to 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 7 pm. Legal visits are permitted 24 hours per day, seven days a week. For additional information call the DC Jail’s automated information line at (202) 673-8136, select option 3. Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted to visit without a parent or legal guardian. All visitors are subject to search and persons 18 years and older must present a current government issued photo identification.
15) What are the dress code guidelines for visiting the DC Jail?
Visitors will not be permitted to visit with see through, skintight, spandex or multi-layered clothing that could be removed and passed on to an inmate. Halter tops, shorts, swim wear, sweat suits, warm-up suits, gym suits, wrap around clothing, mini skirts and dresses in excess of three inches above the knee and/or have splits three inches above the knee are also prohibited. Visitors will not be permitted to visit wearing flip flops and shower shoes. Undergarments must be worn (i.e. bra, underwear, slips).
16) How do you notify the Department of Corrections about a death or serious injury of a member of an inmate’s family?
Notifications of serious occurrences should be directed to the Chaplain, DC Jail, Office of Religious and Volunteer Services at (202) 698-5991/5992.
17) How do I locate an inmate now housed in the federal system?
A federal inmate can be located by contacting the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at (202) 307-3126.
18) How can I find out more information about the Department of Corrections?
Visit the website at doc.dc.gov or call the Office of Public Affairs and Communications at (202) 671-2135.
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