Maximum security (men) · State Prison · VADOC

Sussex I State Prison

Waverly, Sussex County, Virginia

Visiting schedules change without notice. Always call before traveling.

Call Visiting Office: (804) 834-9967 Info last verified: June 2026

A maximum-security men's prison near Waverly that held Virginia's former men's death row — with an identical, now-closed Sussex II next door, so families should confirm they are headed to Sussex I.

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

Sussex I State Prison, near Waverly, is a maximum-security prison for men, opened in 1998. It held Virginia’s men’s death row from 1998 until the state abolished the death penalty in 2021; the few men who had been condemned were resentenced to life, and there is no death row in Virginia now. The prison offers a high-security intensive re-entry program among its services.

The neighboring Sussex II State Prison — an identical building on the same road — closed on July 1, 2024, and its staff were reassigned mainly to Sussex I. Because the two prisons look alike and share Musselwhite Drive, families should make sure they are going to Sussex I (24414 Musselwhite Drive).

What Makes Sussex I Different

It is a maximum-security men’s prison. Most men here are at higher custody levels.
The former men’s death row. Virginia’s death row was here until 2021; the death penalty has since been abolished.
The closed prison next door. The identical Sussex II closed in 2024 — confirm the address so a visit isn’t planned to the wrong building.

Visiting

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

The full approval process is in Visiting in Virginia.

Getting There and Parking

The prison is on Musselwhite Drive near Waverly, off the US-460 corridor in Sussex County.

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

Nearby Services

Waverly is a small town on US-460 with limited services; the fuller range of gas, food, and lodging is in Petersburg, about 30 minutes north. The nearest 24/7 emergency room is Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg.

Mail

Personal letters go to the facility at 24414 Musselwhite Drive, Waverly, VA 23891, 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, co-pays, and raising a concern
Transfers & Finding Someone — the one-year line, jails, 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.