Video visitation cost reduced at Virginia Department of Corrections facilities

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The cost of video visitation within Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) facilities has been reduced by five cents. On Thursday, Jan. 2, Assisting Families of Inmates -- a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families and children impacted by the incarceration of a loved one -- announced that the cost of video visitation within the VADOC will be reduced to 15 cents per minute. Previously, video visitation cost 20 cents per minute. Officials said those using the system to visit within the VADOC will see the five-cent reduction in effect beginning on Monday, Jan. 13. According to officials, the cost of video visitation will decrease again from the 15-cent per minute rate to 12 cents per minute beginning on July 1, 2025. LIST: Central Virginia correctional facilities with video visitation access Assisting Families of Inmates has offered video visits from visitor centers throughout the Commonwealth since 2010. It expanded to offer video visitation from home in 2019. “Access to video visitation with friends and loved ones is a crucial component of successful reentry,” said VADOC director Chad Dotson. “We are very excited that these services will now be more affordable than ever and will continue to help our inmates strengthen and preserve their bonds with their families and support networks, which will hopefully continue to improve recidivism and public safety in Virginia." For more information, or for access to Assisting Families of Inmates' Visitation Assistance Fund for subsidy support with video visits, go here.