Smyth County Jail – Abingdon, VA

Smyth County Jail is located in Smyth County and is the main jail for the area. Do you know somebody incarcerated at Smyth County Jail? This page tells you information about everything you might need to know about Smyth County Jail,like: How to do a jail inmate search. Find mugshots. The jail’s phone number and address. Bail and how to get out of jail. Intake procedures. Court records. And much, much more.

The prospect of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary situation, not only for whoever gets locked up, but also that person’s family and friends. The purpose of this guide is to offer info you need to make helping a friend or family member get out of jail a lot easier. If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask them, and any comments or feedback that would be a benefit to others would be much appreciated.

Do you have a friend or family member in jail and need to find them?

Has a family member or friend who has been arrested and you want to locate them?

To search who is in jail at Smyth County Jail you should navigate to their link and do an inmate search.

The Smyth County Jail Inmate Roster is an online list of persons who are in jail, which includes current status, bail amount, and schedule for visitation. You can also find information for anyone arrested and booked or released in the last 24 hours. Inmates are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You can locate their arrest information quicker if you have your friend or family member’s full name, date of birth, or inmate ID.

If your friend or loved one may be in another county jail you can check the other Virginia county jails in our Virginia County Jail Guide: List of all county jails in Virginia

A mugshot, also known as a jail intake photograph, is a photograph that the jail takes when you get processed at jail intake. A mugshot is actually two photos one face photo and one profile photo. Your name and intake number will be in the pictures, and they will be kept on file.

Mugshots are on the Smyth County Jail website, or you can see them in person at the Smyth County Jail. When viewing online you will need to put in the prisoner’s name, and an arrest date, if you have it.

Need to know how to get your mugshot erased from the Smyth County Jail website? This is difficult, because the mugshot is a matter of public record. To get your mugshot taken down you need to file a Petition to Expunge in court. Basically, this means that your arrest record will be sealed, so no one will be able to access them. Unfortunately, this happens very rarely.

For more information about removing your mugshot, the different mugshot websites, and the websites that offer to remove your mugshot for you: How To Get Your Mugshot Removed

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Obviously, if you are locked up, your only thought is about when and how you will get out. After you’ve gone through the booking process, bail will be decided either through a preset bail schedule or a magistrate. If you don’t get a bail set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you are kept in jail until your court date.

If you do bail out you must agree to be there for your court date, and you will not be permitted to leave the area.

In most cases, a prisoner at Smyth County Jail are given an early release in exchange for good behavior if they respect the rules and conduct themselves properly while in jail.

If you prove to be trustworthy, you may be allowed to participate in a work release program. You will have to go back to the jail every day after work, or you might be allowed to move to a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Your bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to get out of jail until your trial. The amount you will be required to pay depends on what crime you are charged with and how serious it is. You or someone you know will have to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total amount set before you can get out of jail. If you miss your scheduled court date, whoever paid your bail will lose all of the bail money.

You must call the jail or the county courthouse. If you have all the pertinent information, like name, address and date of birth, they will tell you how much their bail is. You can also find out how much their bail is online.

Having to bail someone out of jail is no fun, but thankfully, it’s really easy if you have the money. First, find out if they have a “Cash Bond Only” situation. If it is, you won’t be able to use a bail bondsman. They only accept cash at the jail, so you have to take cash – they can’t take a check. Once you have paid the bond, the person will be released into your care. If they don’t violate the terms of their bail, you’ll get your money back.

If the amount of bail set is large, or you can’t afford it yourself, you should try a bail bondsman. Bondsmen will generally charge a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the total bail amount, and in most cases have a minimum charge of $100. The money you pay to the bail bondsman will not be returned to you and has to be paid in cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman will in most cases ask to use assets as collateral for the bond in addition to their charges.

You can find a local bail bondsman click here: Bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a Bail Bondsman to bail someone out of jail? If you have, post a comment below and tell about it, and let us know how it worked out for you.

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• Get Time Off For Good Behavior
• Get Out on Work Release
• Get Out For Time Served
• Be Released on a Pre-Trial Release Program
• House Arrest
• Own Recognizance

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The jail intake procedure takes you through the following steps:

• They’ll put you in a holding cell. If the jail is really busy, it will take a while to get processed.
• The first thing you will have to is you must answer some basic questions, like your full name, address, birthdate and an emergency contact.
• They’ll also ask you about your medical and mental history.
• You will be issued an inmate number.
• You will be fingerprinted.
• You will have your mugshot taken.
• All personal property will get taken away from you and stored until you get discharged from jail.
• You will get to use the telephone in order to get in touch with a member of your family, friend, or bondsman to arrange bail.
• If you are expected to be released shortly, you will be allowed to wear your own clothes, if not you will be given a jail uniform.

Have you ever been booked into jail? If you have, you should tell us how it happened. How long did it take to get through intake? How did the guards treat you? Do you know any things that will help other people that get arrested make it through jail intake?

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Once bail has been posted, you will get released from jail. This process will take from 30 minutes to quite a few hours. In other words the faster you can post bail, the quicker you will get let go. How quickly you get discharged might depend on whether or not you’ve got a cash bond or if the magistrate still needs to figure out your bail amount. For lesser charges, you will be booked and get released without having to post bail. When you have served your sentence and have a date of your release, expect to be released in the morning.

If there is a, or if you have to report to start a sentence, it is highly advisable that you follow the rules and turn yourself in. If you have a warrant, report to the jail, and tell them that you think they might have a warrant for your arrest. They will do a check to find out if there is an arrest warrant for you, and if they find one, they will ask that you surrender yourself and you will be taken into custody. If it is for a jail sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order states. Be very careful that you are not late to report. Just bring necessary items when you turn yourself in, like your driver’s license or ID, prescription medication, as well as the sentencing order from court.

Inmates have to provide each visitor’s name to the jail in advance of the visit. Your visitor’s names will go into a Visiting log as an approved visitor. Every visitor will have to provide acceptable photo identification. Any visitors that arrives for visitation late or without a visiting order will not be able to attend visitation.
Visitation procedures at Smyth County Jail can change, so we suggest that you review the jail site before go to the jail to visit an inmate.

All phone calls from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . Phone calls made in jail are much more expensive than phone calls made at home. Inmates are able to make phone calls, with restrictions on when and how often you can use the phone, but bear in mind that you are just one of many people who want to talk to their loved ones. If you are disciplined for an infraction, an inmate’s ability to use the phone may be limited or eliminated altogether.

The Smyth County Jail phone number is: (276) 739-3520

Any mail that you send to an inmate must be sent via US Postal Service. You cannot use any other method of mail delivery. Clearly print the person’s name, inmate ID number, and the jail address on the envelope. Do not send anything in a box, envelope with padding, plastic or paper bag, or an envelope with metal inside. All mail that you send to inmates gets opened and reviewed by the officers at the jail, and will be returned to the sender if the jail decides it is inappropriate.

The address that you should use if you are sending a letter to an inmate at Smyth County Jail is:

Smyth County Jail
15205 Joe Derting Drive
Abingdon, VA 24210

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Smyth County Jail
15205 Joe Derting Drive
Abingdon, VA 24210

The Smyth County Jail mail policy is always changing, so you should double check the official website before you send a letter.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you need to be aware that you still have rights, and an important one is that you have the right to request a lawyer. You don’t get to make many phone calls when you get arrested, so it is a good idea to have a friend or family member find a lawyer for you. You might be asking yourself ‘but do I really need a lawyer’ You can represent yourself if you really want to, but, an attorney will make sure you know your rights, help protect your interests and help you navigate through the court system. The quicker you get an attorney working on your case, the better.

For more information on this, read our guide: Find a Lawyer

If you can’t afford a lawyer, a Public Defender will be assigned to you. The Public Defender Office has a number of staff such as private investigators, crime scene and forensics experts and social workers. Public Defenders are bona-fide attorneys, admitted to the State Bar and are fully licensed to practice law.

Have you ever had to use a court appointed attorney? Do you think that they did a good job of defending you?

Smyth County court records are public records and are available upon request. They contain a file with a docket sheet and all of the documents and motions filed in the course of your case. You are able to access your court case records via the Smyth County website, or at the Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is an official part of the court who manages the records. They also administer the oath for all court participants, and also read the verdict when decided by the jury. All records and documents associated with your case are kept and available to you at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees are the fees and charges associated with your case, such as filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you don’t have the money to pay these fees and have been assigned a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees.

A Magistrate acts as the judge that will preside on your case. Magistrates are judges that do several different things, such as setting bail, issuing warrants for arrest, and presiding over preliminary court appearances and detention hearings.

A defendant’s pre-sentencing report is prepared to include information about the defendant’s background and details of the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate will take into account when determining a sentence. Information and personal details will be solicited from the person on trial, his or her family members, and, if applicable, the victim. Be sure to remember that you should request to get a copy of your pre-sentencing report before sentencing, and go over it and correct any mistakes in it.

After being convicted of a crime, you will then get sentenced. The presiding judge in your case will weigh several options when determining your sentence, which include community service to probation, to even prison or jail time. Depending on how serious your crime was, you may be taken into custody, right there in court, or you could receive a date that you are supposed to turn yourself into jail to serve your jail time according to your sentence.

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Do you need to find out if somebody you know is locked up, or has ever been in jail?

This is pretty simple to do, just you will have to go to the Smyth County jail website and do an inmate search lookup, and do a search using:

• Name.
• Birthdate.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you’re not sure if this person is in jail or not, you can also call the jail to find out.

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, you can find out by checking the arrest warrants inquiry on the Smyth County jail website or you are able to call the jail directly. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go the jail in person and ask them. Keep in mind that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, you will be taken into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, as well as their arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, go there in person, or check online. Records of arrests are public record and the information is accessible by the public.

A Civil Process is when you are served with legal papers, like warrants. You can find these by going to the Smyth County Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All people registered as sex offenders are listed and registered on a sex offender database. Those listed on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You are able to see these offenders on the website, but remember that you will not see the exact address, rather the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. These records include a case file containing a court docket and any of the filings and documents filed in your case. You are able to access your court records online, or at the clerk’s office of the court in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Every state keeps a record of a person’s criminal history. These online databases are connected so you are able to track criminal convictions from other states. You are able to go to county courthouse and make an inquiry, or check the website. It is helpful to know the county, and if the crime was in a different state entirely, you may have to pay a fee for a more comprehensive search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you are able to get a report detailing any arrests, charges, or convictions that may be on a person’s record for crimes, which include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
• Drug crimes like possession or trafficking.
• Kidnapping.
• Sex offenses which could include rape, and sexual assault.
• Violent crimes like assault or murder.
• Theft.

When you do a criminal history search, you won’t see if someone has had:

• Tickets for speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Any accidents.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find this information, you have to do a driving records search.

Have you ever had to look for criminal records online? How easy was it? Did you do your search online or did you have to call the local courthouse? Was the information you received correct? There are lots of reasons that people look up criminal records, and your account might make it easier for others.

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Most Wanted

The FBI has their list of the Ten Most Wanted Criminals. In Smyth County, the Smyth County Sheriff maintains their own list of the top most wanted criminals in the county.

FBI Ten Most Wanted List


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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

While the prospect of getting locked up in the Smyth County jail is no fun, you will soon settle into the routine that is set for you in jail. You should expect an alarm to wake up each morning at 6am, and next you’ll have roll call. After roll call you will have breakfast. When you finish eating breakfast you will have to work in the work program that you’ve been assigned to. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Smyth County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Smyth County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The rules for sending money to inmates is always changing, so it would be best to visit the site when you send money to an inmate there.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Smyth County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Smyth County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Smyth County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to tell about all about it


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• The right to protection from the accused.
• The right to notification.
• The right to attend proceedings.
• The right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• The right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• The right to restitution.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• The right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever spent any time at Smyth County Jail? Do you know anybody that is an inmate there? Have you ever been to visit an inmate there?

If yes, then we would like you to write your review about it. Write about your jail experience so others will know what to expect.

Things you can put in your comment:

• Jail conditions.
• Jail and pod layout and facility
• Jail staff and Guards
• Jail food and commissary
• Visitation
• The other inmates – what are they like?
• Prisoner safety
• Gangs
• Prisoner programs and activities


Write a Review

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has a story about it. Why’d you get arrested? Were you fairly treated? What was it like in jail? What about the other inmates? How did going to jail affect your life?

Click here to leave a comment

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Make some good friends in jail? Are you trying to reconnect with a person you met in jail? Post a message to them below.

Send a message to people still locked up at Smyth County Jail


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