Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Video Visits
What is a video visit, and how do they work?
Who are the companies that facilitate video visits?
What is a video visit, and how do they work?
Video visitation, also known as remote visitation, is quickly becoming the preferred method for visiting an inmate in jail or prison for the following reasons:
• It requires little to no staff, versus the staff required to move inmates to and from the visit and watch over the visit. It saves the Van Buren County Jail money.
• It removes any opportunity for contraband (drugs) to enter the facility.
• It can become a profit center for the facility, given that the revenue generated by visits is shared with the jail.
• While inmates prefer to see family and friends in person, video visitation allows them to visit with them more often, and on a whim.
• Video visitation gives the inmates and their visitors the feeling of more privacy.
Video visitation from the perspective of the visitor allows them to visit from their home, their car, at work, and even allows them to take their device to a family or religious gathering. It allows them to give their inmate the feeling of belonging and not being forgotten.
Video visitation can take place on a computer, a tablet or a phone.
Video visitation saves time. Instead of spending hours driving to the jail, checking in, filling out paperwork, potentially being searched, waiting, and then having a 15–30-minute visit, if it isn’t cancelled at the last minute, the visit can be done from anywhere during a short break in the visitor’s day.
If the visitor does not have access to a phone or computer, they can make an appointment ahead of time and use terminals in the lobby of the jail.
You must also be on the inmate's approved list, even for a video visit.
Who are the companies that facilitate video visits?
There are several different companies that contract with all the jails and prisons that allow video visitation:
These are the companiesin alphabetical order:
CIDNET
City Tele Coin
Correct Solutions Group
Correct Pay
Ctel
Gettingout
GTL
Homewav
IC Solutions
Inmate Canteen
Inmate Sales
iwebvisits
JailATM
Jpay
Gettingintouch (netvisit)
NCIC
Prodigy Sales
Reliance
Securus
Smart Communications
Tiger Services
Visitel
In addition, some jails use Microsoft Meeting and Zoom.
Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?
For inmates receiving mail in the Van Buren County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon. Due to drug smuggling, not all inmates are even allowed to receive mail in envelopes, as only certain types of postcards are allowed.
For complete information on mail policies and addresses, check out our Inmate Mail page.
Van Buren County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's commissary account.
By creating an account with Express Account you can send money and purchase commissary to an inmate:
- Online 24/7
- By calling866-422-6833 24/7
- By using the Van Buren County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.
Express Account and TIGGS Canteen Service allowsfriends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility. Items such as snacks (healthy or non-healthy, clothes, hygeine products, etc.)
Van Buren County Jail uses a third party service called Express Account, affiliated with TIGGS Canteen Service to deposit money in an inmate's account.
By creating an account with Express Account you can send money:
- Online 24/7
- By calling866-422-6833 24/7
- By using the Van Buren County Jail Kiosk which takes cash, debit and credit cards.
Express Account also serves Van Buren County Jail inmates by allowing friends and family to purchase commissary items for them and having them shipped directly to the facility.
How to Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in Van Buren County Jail
To rent a tablet for an inmate in Van Buren County follow these instructions:
- Register here. It is recommended you use Chrome orFirefox.
- Pay for the subscription using Paypal.
- You get charged the 1st of each month.
- You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
- No activation or early termination fees.
- Your Van Buren County inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days, after you pay.
If you have any questions:
- Call -800-844-6591 or 972-734-1111.
- Email -tablets@securustech.net
For all Van Buren County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out ourTablet RentalPage.
How an Inmate Makes a Phone Call to You or Others from Van Buren County Jail
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Van Buren County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, SecurusDebit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Van Buren County inmate, check out ourInmate PhonePage.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
How to Send a Text or Email Message to an Inmate in Van Buren County Jail
To send a text or email message to a Van Buren County inmate, do the following:
Van Buren County Jail uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.
Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Van Buren County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps:
1. Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Van Buren County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.
For all Van Buren County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Van Buren County Jail, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out outText/Email an InmatePage.
How to Schedule and Visit an Inmate in Van Buren County Jail
To schedule and set up a visit, either at-the-jail or remotely from your home, follow these instructions:
- Register and/or log in.
- Select Van Buren County Jail, then your inmate.
- Review the days, available hours and the cost of remote and on-site visits in Van Buren County.
- Schedule your visit.
To get more complete instructions, and understand visit lengths, times, locations, fees and all the other rules including children, dress codes and more, check out orVisit InmatePage.
NOTE: All visits are recorded and whatever you say and do will be monitored. It is best to never discuss sensitive information regarding your inmate's pending case.
