Washington DC Correctional Facilities

By Chris Smith, 9 March, 2024
Name of Warden:
CTF-Kelly Vick CDF-Manuel Williams
Description of Facility

The Central Detention Facility and DC Jail are both located in Southeast Washington DC. The Central Detention Facility currently can house a maximum of 2,164 inmates. Those incarcerated here have either been sentenced for a misdemeanor, or are currently in the pre-trial phase. The Central Detention Facility only houses males, females are housed at the CTF. Inmates at the Central Detention Facility can range in custody levels from low and medium to high security levels.

The Correctional Treatment Facility houses low and medium security offenders. It is considered a medium security institution, and is made up of five distinctive buildings. Housing units have a maximum capacity of 96 inmates per unit.

Facility Telephone Number
202-673-7316
Facility Address

Central Detention Facility 1901 D Street SE
Correctional Treatment Facility 1901 E Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
United States

Inmate Mailing Address

Inmate Name, DCDC Number, Housing Unit
DC Jail
1901 D Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
United States

What you can send an inmate

 Inmates at the Central Detention Facility, the Correctional Treatment Facility are allowed the following through the mail:

  • Letters
  • Photos 4x6 (no Polaroids, no nudity)
  • Soft cover books sent new directly from a publisher like Barnes and Noble
  • Money orders for deposit into the inmate's account

All mail sent to an inmate must contain the following:

  • Inmate's Full Name and DCDC Number
  • Mail to:
    DC Jail
    1901 D Street, SE
    Washington, DC 20003

Read District of Columbia Department of Corrections policy on inmate mail here.

How Inmate Calls Work

Inmates incarcerated in Washington DC are allowed to make outgoing phone calls.  The Department of Corrections utilizes GTL Offender Connect to manage inmate phone calls.  This allows friends and family members to add money to an offenders telephone and commissary accounts.
A few things to know:

  • inmates are allowed to have 21 numbers on their phone account
  • inmates are issued a TID or telephone identification number to make calls
  • telephone are available everyday from 8:00am-10:00pm (phones are off during count times and thirty minutes before and after count)
  • Newly admitted inmates get a free 5 minute phone call during reception
  • legal calls do not fall under the same rules

Read the Department of Corrections Policy on inmate phone calls.

How to send money to an inmate

   District of Columbia Department of Corrections allows inmates to access money through a trust account.  Friends and family members can send money to an inmate that can be used to purchase an assortment of items from the commissary including food, stamps, and hygiene items, these funds can also be used to purchase telephone minutes.

To send money you will need the inmate's full name, and DCDC number.

You can send money to inmates incarcerated in Washington D.C. facilities using the following methods:

  • In person: Using cash or money order by utilizing the Inmate Connector Kiosk in the Correctional Treatment Facility lobby located at 1901 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003.  You can also visit any Western Union location, you will need the blue quick collection form and the following: Pay to: DCDOC Code City: DCGOV State: DC Senders Account number is the inmates ID number and last name.
  • By Mail: Send a money order to the inmate's mailing address.  On the money order include the following:
    • Inmate's full name and DCDC number
    • Assigned facility
    • Your full name
  • By Telephone:  Call 1-800-634-3422 (fee starts at $5.95)

Read the departments policy on inmate funds here.

How to do an Inmate Search

 Find an inmate incarcerated in Washington D.C., get their DCDC number, current location, and sentencing information by searching the VINE inmate database.  You can also call the Records office at 202-523-7060.

Visiting Information/FAQs

All visits at the Correctional Treatment Center, the Central Detention Facility (DC Jail), and Video Visitation Center are by appointment only.

Schedule an appointment to visit by calling 1-888-906-6394 or 202-442-6155 Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm.  You can also schedule a visit online here.  Inmates are allowed two 45 minute visits each week and up to one adult and two children per visit.  Most visits are by video but an incentive program at this facility provides contact visits to select inmates.

Visiting Hours:

Video Visitation:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
11:00am-10:00pm (last session is at 9:00pm)
Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visit, if you arrive late your visit is cancelled.

Face to Face visits:
Inmates who have met eligibility to have in person visits (incarcerated over 60 days, no disciplinary violations for at least 30 days) are allowed a single 30 minute in person visit each month.  These occur on the first Monday and Tuesday of each month from 10:00am-3:00pm, and from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Bring a valid government issued photo ID with you to visitation.

Read the DOC policy on visiting an inmate in Washington D.C.

Dress Code
The following clothing is not allowed:

  • No halter, tank or tube tops
  • No backless or bare midriff tops
  • No skirts of dresses that are more than 3" above the knee when standing
  • No see through or fish net woven clothing
  • No Shorts (Children 12 and under are excluded from this policy)
  • No spandex/lycra, tight knit, or excessively tight clothing is allowed
  • No clothing with obscene language, messages, or pictures.
  • No clothing with signs or symbols of gangs or groups that are a threat to security
  • No bare feet, flip flops, or shower shoes
  • No orange top or bottom clothes (inmate colors)

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