District of Columbia state prisons: visiting, mail, money and status
2 DC DOC prisons from the official DC DOC facility list, checked 2026-10-20.
DC DOC FAQ: finding someone (Records Office) (official) (opens in new tab) District of Columbia facility status
How to search: enter the person's legal last and first name, or their DC DOC ID number if you have it. Nicknames and misspellings usually return nothing; try fewer letters or a different spelling of the name. DC DOC says to call its Records Office at (202) 523-7060 for general information. Victims can register with VINE at 1-877-329-7894. People convicted of DC felonies are moved to the federal Bureau of Prisons.
What the dates mean: any dates shown, such as admission, sentence or projected release dates, come from DC DOC's own records. Projected dates can change (for example with earned credits, discipline or parole decisions) and are not a guarantee. Ask DC DOC or the facility before making plans around a date.
Release and transfer alerts: District of Columbia takes part in VINE (official source (opens in new tab)). Families can sign up free on VINELink (opens in new tab) for release, transfer and court-date alerts. It's built mainly for crime victims.
OutSooner does not store or list anyone's name, date of birth or ID number. The search runs on the official site.
| Facility | City | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Central Detention Facility (DC Jail) | Washington | |
| Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) | Washington |
Family guide: money, calls, visits and mail
From official DC DOC pages. Vendors are named only as the state's approved provider. OutSooner has no affiliate or sponsor links. Our promise and how we check facts.
Sending money
- Send money through Western Union (online fees from $3.95; phone and walk-in from $5.95). For phone or walk-in, use Pay To: DCDOC, Code City: DCGOV, State: DC, plus the DCDC number and last name.
- You can also mail a money order (never cash), use OffenderConnect online, or use the kiosk in the CTF lobby or the Video Visitation Center.
Source: DC DOC (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
Phone calls and video visits
- People get a personal call at intake, then use housing-unit phones. Families can add money to a prepaid phone account through OffenderConnect or the visiting-center kiosk.
- DC DOC's pages don't name a phone vendor clearly, so we don't name one here.
Source: DC DOC (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
In-person visiting
- Most DC Jail visits are video visits at the Video Visitation Center next to the jail or at some DC public libraries. Each person gets two free 45-minute visits a week, Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
- Arrive 15 minutes early; late visits are cancelled. One adult plus up to two minors per session. Face-to-face visits are an incentive for eligible people only.
Source: DC DOC (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
Becoming an approved visitor
- All visits are by appointment. Book online or call 1-888-906-6394 or (202) 442-6155 (Tue–Sat, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.). Library video visits must be booked between 24 hours and one week ahead.
- Only the people scheduled may take part. No phones, screenshots or recordings; breaking the rules can suspend visits.
Source: DC DOC (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
- Address mail with the person's name, DCDC number and the DC Jail address: 1901 D Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.
- All incoming mail is opened and searched. There's no limit on how much mail someone can send or receive.
Source: DC DOC (official) (opens in new tab) · Last checked · Report an error
First 72 hours after release in District of Columbia: checklist · District of Columbia sentence credit law
Facility list from DC DOC (opens in new tab).
Sources: DC DOC facilities (opens in new tab) · Last verified: · Corrections