Security Levels 3 and 4 (men) · State Prison · VADOC

Keen Mountain Correctional Center

Oakwood, Buchanan County, Virginia

Visiting schedules change without notice. Always call before traveling.

Call Visiting Office: (276) 498-7411 Info last verified: June 2026

A men's prison in the far-southwest coalfields of Buchanan County, holding medium and close custody — one of the most remote VADOC prisons.

Statewide rules that apply at every Virginia state prison

These rules are set by VADOC and apply at every unit. The full list — including all permitted and prohibited items and the approval process — is in Visiting in Virginia.

Dress code

Clothing must cover from the neck to the kneecaps. Underwear is required, and footwear is required — bare feet are not allowed.
No form-fitting clothing — leggings, spandex, jeggings, or leotards — unless worn under clothing that meets the code; no tube, tank, or halter tops unless covered.
Nothing that exposes the midriff, side, back, or cleavage, nothing see-through, and no mini-skirts, dresses, shorts, skorts, or culottes at or above the kneecap.
Nothing resembling what incarcerated people wear, and nothing with gang, racist, or inappropriate symbols. No watches or wearable technology; umbrellas stay in the vehicle.

ID: Every approved adult visitor shows a valid government-issued photo ID, held until the visit ends, with the name matching the application. A minor is vouched for by the approved adult they come with (plus a notarized parental statement if that adult is not the parent or guardian).
What to bring: No food, drinks, or vending money — visitors bring little beyond ID, and coats and bags go in a storage area. Medication a visitor must keep on them needs a doctor's note and approval at least a week ahead. What else may be brought in varies by facility.
Scheduling: Every visitor applies online and clears a background check through the Central Visitation Unit (the incarcerated person no longer keeps a list); approval lasts three years. Visits are booked through the online scheduler up to 14 days ahead — one visit per weekend — and a newly arrived person cannot have visits for their first 60 days.

Full statewide rules: Visiting in Virginia

Overview

Keen Mountain Correctional Center, in Buchanan County, is a prison for men in the far-southwest coalfields of Virginia. Opened in 1990, the facility’s main compound holds medium and close custody (Security Levels 3 and 4), with a lower-level dorm. Keen Mountain offers education, vocational training, and re-entry programming.

What Makes Keen Mountain Different

A coalfields location. Keen Mountain is in Buchanan County, in the far-southwest corner of the state — one of the most remote VADOC prisons.
A mixed-custody compound. The main compound holds medium and close custody, with a lower-level dorm.
Expanded video visitation. On April 30, 2024, VADOC expanded video visitation at Keen Mountain, equipping every living area so that visits can be taken from the housing units.

Visiting

The statewide VADOC rules above — the online application and background check, the dress code, ID, and search rules — apply at Keen Mountain. The facility’s own arrangements:

The full approval process is in Visiting in Virginia.

Getting There and Parking

The prison is on Kennel Gap Road in Oakwood, in Buchanan County.

Distances are approximate, based on map routing. Visitor parking is on site.

Nearby Services

Oakwood is small. Grundy, the Buchanan County seat, and Tazewell are the nearest regional towns with gas, food, and lodging. The nearest 24/7 emergency room is Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy.

Mail

Personal letters go to the facility at P.O. Box 860, Oakwood, VA 24631, with the person’s name and seven-digit DOC number — where they are photocopied and the copies delivered. Books, photos, and legal mail go instead to the Central Mail Distribution Center in State Farm. Full rules are in Mail & Packages.

Learn More

For detailed information about visiting and communicating with someone in a Virginia state prison:

Visiting in Virginia — the online application, dress code, and search rules
Mail & Packages — the two mailing addresses and what can be sent
Phone & Video Calls — the phone system, video visits, and tablets
Sending Money — depositing through JPay
Medical & Mental Health — health care, the grievance process, and the Corrections Ombudsman
Transfers & Finding Someone — intake, the one-year line, and the locator

Sources

This page is compiled from the following publicly available sources. Policies change without notice — confirm current details with the facility before relying on them.