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Department of Corrections
 

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DOC Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Department of Corrections located?

The administrative headquarters is located at 3924 Minnesota Ave, NE, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20019. The main telephone number is (202) 673-7316. The Central Detention Facility (CDF) is located at 1901 D Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. The telephone number for the Command Center at CDF is (202) 698-4932. Manuel Williams currently serves as the CDF Deputy Warden.

The DC Department of Corrections (DOC) operates the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF). It is located at 1901 E St. SE, Washington, DC 20003. The telephone number for the CTF Command Center is (202) 790-6601. Major Kelly Vick Interim or Acting Deputy Warden, CTF.

Central Cellblock (CCB) is located at 300 Indiana Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001. The telephone number for the CCB is (202) 727-4222.

Who is the Director of the Department of Corrections?
Thomas N. Faust currently serves as Director of the D.C. Department of Corrections.

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 CDF. Female offenders, males and juveniles being adjudicated as adults are housed at the CTF.  

How can I obtain information on an inmate housed in the DC Jail, the Correctional Treatment Facility or a contract halfway house?
General inmate information may be obtained by contacting the Department’s Records Office at (202) 523-7060.  If you are a victim and 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 registering with VINE (Victim Information & Notification Everyday) at 1(877) 329-7894.

How is an inmate’s housing location determined?
The DOC uses an Inmate Classification System to determine where an inmate is housed. 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. Low, Medium and High custody inmates are housed at CDF

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:
Online - Fees are as low as $3.95.* Visit Western Union.
Walk-in cash payments - Fees are as low as $5.95. Call 1(800) 325-6000 or visit Western Union for agent locations.

For phone or walk-in payments, please use this guide when filling in the blue Quick Collect form.

Pay To: DCDOC
Code City: DCGOV
State: DC
Sender's Account #: Include Inmate # and Inmate Last Name

Attention

*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 a $3400 limit.

Deposits for commissary accounts may also be mailed in the form of a money order. Do not send cash.

While visiting family/friends via the Department’s Video Visitation Center, you may also make deposits to the inmate’s commissary fund or prepaid telephone account using the Offender Connect kiosk in the waiting area. Deposits can be easily made using cash ($5, $10, $20, $50, and $100), Master Card and Visa credit/debit cards.

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.

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.  An inmate may authorize the pick-up of his/her property by an outside person.  Before the property is released, the authorized person must present current photo identification. 

An inmate’s personal identification documents, (i.e., driver’s license, non-driver’s license, other identification cards, social security card, birth certificate, credit cards) shall be closely safeguarded and only released to the person authorized by the inmate after positive identification has been established. If items containing personal identification information become eligible for destruction, they shall be shredded or destroyed in a manner that prevents identity theft or other unauthorized use of the information.
 
Are inmates provided with hygiene kits and clean clothes?
Inmates entering into the custody of the DC Department of Corrections receive a gender-specific hygiene kit that contains soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, lotion and shampoo. Additional kits may be provided upon request. Inmates also receive two jumpsuits, 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.  Inmates are also allowed to purchase personal hygiene and hair care products and underclothing in limited quantities from Canteen Services.

How often can an inmate visit the Law Library?
There is a schedule for inmates, by housing unit, to visit the Law Library for ninety minutes per week. Inmates must sign-up to visit the Law Library on the day designated for their particular housing unit. Those in protective custody and on special management units submit written requests through their Case Managers. Requests are researched by Law Library staff with the findings then forwarded to the inmate. Inmates are also permitted to receive and keep legal material provided by their attorneys.

Do inmates have access to medical care?
DOC currently contracts with Unity Health Care, Inc., to provide medical services to individuals housed at the CDF and CTF. During intake, prior to their housing assignment, inmates receive a complete health assessment which includes medical history, physical examination, mental health evaluation, oral screening, infectious disease screening and, if deemed necessary, laboratory and radiology services. All inmates have access to routine primary care, urgent and emergency medical care twenty-four hours a day. For non-emergencies, inmates may access a sick call system to request an appointment with an onsite medical provider. Those requiring emergency or specialty services may be seen in the Urgent Care Clinic and if services are not available onsite, the inmate will be transported to the appropriate local hospital by Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) or DOC Special Conveyance.

What is the visitation schedule for inmates at the CDF/CTF?
Social visits are conducted at the Department’s Video Visitation Center (VVC), the VVC is located behind the Correctional Treatment Facility (1901 E St. SE, Washington, DC 20003), on the ground level of The READY Center. Visits may be scheduled by calling 1(888) 906-6394 (Tuesday through Saturday from (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) or via the web(online).

Visits will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays starting at 11 am until 10 pm. The last session will begin at 9 pm. Effective Wednesday, September 12, 2012, each inmate will be allowed two 45 minute visits each week--please note that visits are no longer scheduled by the inmate's last name. Visits are free and by appointment only.
 

What are the dress code guidelines for visiting the VVC?
Appropriate dress is required for all visitors.

What happens if visitors require reasonable accommodations?
A Visitors in need of a reasonable accommodation (such as sign language, etc), should contact Ms. Genester Powell at (202) 523-7020 or via e-mail at [email protected]  Please provide no less than five (5) business days for reasonable accommodations to be arranged.

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 DC Jail Chaplain, Office of Religious and Volunteer Services at (202) 523-7079/76.

How do I locate an inmate now housed in the federal system?
A federal inmate can be contacting the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator at (202) 307-3126.

How can I find out more information about the Department of Corrections including their policies and procedures?
Visit the DOC website or call the Office of Communications at (202) 671-2135. Departmental policies and procedures may be accessed by clicking on the Program Statements link under the Information section of the DOC website.