How to Visit an Inmate in Person or Through Video Visitation

There are two ways to see your incarcerated loved one. In-person visitation and video visitation. Both require preparation and both are governed by the rules of the specific facility where your inmate is housed.

In-person visitation

In-person visits take place at the correctional facility itself. Before you can visit you must be on your inmate's approved visitor list. Your inmate submits your name to their case manager who initiates a background check and approval process. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the facility.

Once approved you must follow the facility's specific visitation schedule. Most facilities designate specific days and times for social visits and require visits to be scheduled in advance. Walk in visits are rarely permitted.

What you can wear, what you can bring, and how long you can stay are all governed by the facility's visitation rules. These vary significantly between federal, state, and county facilities. Always check the specific facility's visitation guidelines before making the trip. InmateAid's facility pages include visitation information and direct links to official visitation schedules for over 2,500 facilities nationwide.

The visitation room experience varies by facility. Some allow contact visits where you can hug and sit close to your loved one. Others are non contact with a glass partition and phone communication only. Security classification of the facility and your inmate's specific housing unit determines which applies.

Video visitation

Video visitation allows you to see your loved one through a screen without traveling to the facility. Not every facility offers it but availability has expanded significantly in recent years.

Where video visits are available the facility contracts with a technology provider such as Securus, GTL, or JPay. Think of it as a monitored video call similar to Zoom but operated through the provider's platform. You create an account with the provider, schedule a visit in advance, and connect at the designated time. Your inmate is brought to a video terminal inside the facility.

There is typically a cost per session which varies by facility and provider. Sessions are time limited and all video visits are monitored and recorded.

To find out whether video visitation is available at your loved one's facility check the facility's official website or contact them directly. InmateAid's facility directory has contact information for facilities nationwide so you can find the right number quickly.

One thing that applies to both

Your inmate must be in good standing with the facility for visits to be permitted. Disciplinary restrictions can suspend visitation privileges temporarily or indefinitely. If a planned visit is suddenly denied contact the facility to understand what restriction is in place and what steps are required before visits can resume.