Reviewed: July 2026In-Prison · Video Visitation12 min read · 2,800 words
How to Set Up a Video Visit with an Inmate (2026)
AllRecentArrests.us
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· Updated
Distance, work schedules, childcare, and travel costs keep a lot of families from making every in-person visit. Video visitation fills that gap — a scheduled face-to-face session through a facility kiosk or tablet on their end and your phone, tablet, or computer on yours.
The catch: every jail and prison contracts with a different vendor, approval rules differ, and tech setup is easy to get wrong the first time. This guide walks through the full path — finding the right provider, getting cleared, creating an account, scheduling, and joining without getting cut off mid-visit.
(1) Confirm the facility and which vendor it uses — Securus, ViaPath/GettingOut, ICSolutions, or another. (2) Get on the inmate’s approved visiting list and clear any background check. (3) Create a matching provider account and add funds if remote visits are paid. (4) Schedule remote or onsite video. (5) Install the app, test your connection, and log in 10–15 minutes early. Use our inmate locator if you need the facility name first.
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How Video Visits Work
Correctional video visits are not FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp. They run on closed vendor systems the facility monitors and records (except attorney sessions where the facility allows confidential video). Two common formats:
Remote / Offsite Video
You join from home on a phone, tablet, or computer. The inmate uses a tablet or kiosk inside. Usually fee-based; slots open on a calendar and fill fast on evenings and weekends.
Onsite / Lobby Video
You travel to the facility (or a designated public visit station) and sit at a video terminal while the inmate connects from their housing unit. Sometimes free or cheaper than remote; still usually requires advance booking.
Inmate-Initiated Video Calls
At some sites (for example certain Securus AdvanceConnect setups), the incarcerated person places a video call to your app — similar to a phone call. You must already be registered and set to allow video calls.
Session Length
Common blocks are 15, 20, or 30 minutes. Facilities cap weekly or monthly visits per inmate. Always check current limits before you book back-to-back slots.
Why video matters: Pennsylvania DOC reported nearly a million combined video and in-person visits in 2024, with video making up the large majority — and research consistently links regular family contact to better reentry outcomes.
Before you download any app, lock in where your loved one is held and which company that facility actually uses.
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Run a full public records searchArrest records, criminal history, court filings, addresses and known relatives.
Signing up for the wrong vendor wastes time — accounts do not transfer between Securus, ViaPath, and ICSolutions.
Confirm the facility.
Search by name on the AllRecentArrests.us Inmate Locator or the state DOC / county sheriff site. Transfers happen; verify before you schedule.
Check the official visitation page.
Look for “video visitation,” “remote visits,” or a vendor logo. Jail and DOC pages usually name Securus, GettingOut, ConnectNetwork, or ICSolutions explicitly.
Call the visitation desk if it’s unclear.
Ask: which company handles video, whether remote visits are offered, whether you must be on the approved list first, and current session prices.
Match federal vs state vs county rules.
Federal BOP in-person visits follow bop.gov visiting policy (inmate list + Visitor Information Form). Video availability still depends on the institution’s contracted vendor — confirm with that facility.
Most systems will not let you book until clearance is complete.
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Approval
Get Approved First
Vendor accounts and facility visitor lists are separate. Creating a Securus or GettingOut login does not replace facility approval.
Ask the inmate to add your full legal name, date of birth, and relationship to their visiting list through their case manager or unit officer.
Expect a background check. County jails can clear in days; state and federal clearance often takes 1–6 weeks.
Use the same legal name on the facility form and the vendor account. Mismatches cause scheduling blocks.
Wait for confirmation that you are approved before paying for a remote session when the portal shows “pending.”
Tip: If you already visit in person, you may already be cleared for video — but many facilities still require a separate vendor registration and photo ID upload.
Securus, ViaPath/GettingOut & ICSolutions
These three cover a large share of U.S. jails and prisons. Always follow the facility’s linked portal — brand names and apps can overlap after mergers.
Create account → Register for Visitation → wait for facility approval if required → Schedule Visit (onsite or offsite) → run network test for offsite
Securus Video Connect
Per Securus help docs, log in at securustech.net, open the Video Connect tile, and choose Schedule Session. You can search by inmate name or ID, pick duration/date/time, accept terms, and confirm. Onsite public visits and remote Video Connect options depend on what that facility enables. Some systems also let the incarcerated person place video calls once you have added them as a contact and tapped Allow Video Calls in the app.
ViaPath / GettingOut
GettingOut supports onsite lobby terminals and remote visits from a personal computer (and supported Android apps at select facilities). After you have an account, you typically suggest a time for the inmate to confirm, or book directly if the facility allows it. Free visits, when offered, are usually controlled by the inmate’s free-visit allowance — read the facility rules in the portal carefully.
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Run a full public records searchArrest records, criminal history, court filings, addresses and known relatives.
Register at icsolutions.com, choose Register for Visitation for the correct facility, then Schedule Visit. Select onsite or offsite, inmate, date, and time. Offsite visits require downloading The Visitor (Windows) or ICS Mobile (iOS/Android). ICSolutions notes that Apple Macs can often schedule online but may not run the offsite visitor client — plan on Windows or a phone if you need remote video.
Important: Never use unofficial “prison video” apps from random stores. Stick to the vendor named by the facility. Sharing login credentials can get accounts banned.
Scheduling
Schedule and Fund a Visit
Add the inmate to your account.
Search by full name, booking/DOC number, state, and facility. Double-check the match — common names produce wrong results.
Fund the wallet when required.
Remote visits are often charged at booking. Add funds by card through the official portal. Some onsite lobby visits are free; remote almost always shows a price before you confirm.
Pick an open slot.
Calendars reflect housing-unit availability and facility hours. Evening and weekend slots disappear first. Book as soon as new times open.
Confirm and save the code.
Screenshot or print the confirmation (date, time, confirmation ID). For onsite video, you may need that code at the lobby terminal.
Know the cancel policy.
Cancellation windows and refunds differ by facility. Connectivity failures on offsite visits are often non-refundable unless the vendor’s rules say otherwise — cancel early if your connection test fails.
Phone accounts are separate. Money on a phone prepaid account does not automatically cover video. See how to call an inmate for voice setup.
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Tech Requirements & Visit-Day Checklist
Official provider app or desktop client installed and updated
Working front camera and microphone; grant permissions in phone settings
Stable Wi-Fi or strong cellular data — run the vendor’s network test when offered
Charged device and a backup charger nearby
Quiet, well-lit room with a plain background; no other adults on camera unless approved
Log in 10–15 minutes early; some systems lock you out if you are late
Valid photo ID ready if the facility or app prompts for re-verification
Do
Dress as you would for an in-person visit (modest, no inmate-uniform colors)
Keep kids supervised and within facility rules
Speak clearly and stay in frame
End on time so the next visitor’s slot is not delayed
Don’t
Screen-record, photograph, or live-stream the visit
Display weapons, drugs, alcohol, or gang signs
Three-way the call with unauthorized people
Argue with staff if the session is cut for a lockdown
Rules, Costs & Common Problems
Pricing is facility-specific. Industry reporting often puts remote rates in a per-minute or flat-session range (commonly several dollars for a short visit), while some DOCs — Pennsylvania is a public example — provide video at no cost. Always read the price on the booking screen before you confirm.
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Visits can be cancelled for lockdowns, medical moves, discipline status, transfers, insufficient funds, failed connection tests, or conduct violations. If a visit drops mid-session, note the time and confirmation ID, then contact the vendor’s support chat/phone listed in the app — and the facility visitation desk if the inmate was unavailable.
Usually yes. Most facilities require you on the inmate’s approved list with a completed background check before Securus, GettingOut, or ICSolutions will let you book. Some county jails are faster than state or federal sites.
Which app do I use for a prison video visit?
Whatever the facility contracts — commonly Securus Mobile / Video Connect, GettingOut (ViaPath), or ICSolutions The Visitor / ICS Mobile. Confirm on the jail or DOC visitation page before downloading anything.
How much does a video visit cost?
It varies. Many remote visits are paid per minute or per session; some systems offer free video. The exact amount appears in the provider portal for your facility when you schedule.
What tech do I need for a remote video visit?
A camera-equipped phone, tablet, or computer; stable internet; and the official vendor app. Run any built-in network test. ICSolutions offsite visits typically need The Visitor or ICS Mobile — Macs may schedule but not always join.
Can I do a video visit from home?
If the facility enables remote/offsite video, yes. Some locations only offer onsite lobby video. Availability is a facility policy decision.
Why was my video visit cancelled or denied?
Common reasons: pending approval, wrong vendor account, low funds, inmate unavailable (transfer, lockdown, discipline), connection failure, or a rules violation during a prior visit.
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Run a full public records searchArrest records, criminal history, court filings, addresses and known relatives.
Video visits are one of the most practical ways to keep a relationship steady when travel is hard. Confirm the vendor, finish facility approval, set up the right app, and treat every session with the same care you would an in-person visit.
Find your loved one, pull the visitor forms for your state, and keep phone and in-person options ready as backups.
The AllRecentArrests.us editorial team reviews this guide periodically. Video providers, rates, and facility policies change often — always confirm current rules with the facility and the official vendor portal before you book.
This page is informational only and is not legal advice. Official federal visiting information: BOP.gov.
Last updated: July 2026.
