How to Contact an Inmate at Alexandria Adult Detention Center
Communication at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center happens through video visitation. Once you understand the system and scheduling rules, planning time together gets much easier.
The Alexandria Adult Detention Center uses SmartInmate.com for all visitation. You'll set up and attend video visits through that platform, not in-person contact visits.
You'll need to register on SmartInmate and get approved by Alexandria Sheriff's Office (ASO) staff before you can schedule anything. Handle this step first, since you can't book a visit until approval comes through.
Video visits are available seven days a week, including holidays, from 7 a.m. to midnight (Eastern Time). Two scheduling rules to know: you must book at least the day before your visit, and you can't schedule more than seven days ahead.
Each inmate gets two free 20-minute video visits per week. If multiple family members want to visit, coordinate ahead so those two weekly sessions go where your loved one wants them.
Note: All video visits with family and friends are monitored and recorded.
Having login problems or account questions? Smart Communications handles all technical support for remote video visitation. The Alexandria Sheriff's Office won't be able to help with those issues.
You have options for where to take your video visit. Connect remotely from anywhere with internet access, use the free terminal in the Detention Center lobby, or come to the Public Safety Center for your scheduled session.
- Register on SmartInmate and wait for approval: Create your account and complete the registration process, then wait to be approved by ASO staff before you try to schedule a visit.
- Pick a time within the daily window: Visits are offered 7 a.m. to midnight (Eastern Time), seven days a week (including holidays).
- Schedule at the right time: Book the visit the day before, and do not schedule more than seven days in advance.
- Decide how you will connect: You can attend remotely wherever you have internet access.
- Use an on-site option if you need it: Visitors can use the free terminal in the Detention Center lobby, or go to the Public Safety Center for a scheduled video visit.
Reminder: All video visits with family and friends are monitored and recorded.
- Contact Smart Communications for tech help: For account access or technical support with remote video visitation, the vendor (Smart Communications) is the support channel, not ASO.
- Plan around the weekly visit limit: Inmates receive two free 20-minute video visits each week, so coordinate times with your loved one when you can.
What to Verify
- ✓ Whether SmartInmate registration is still required before scheduling
- ✓ Whether ASO approval is still required, and any current approval timelines or restrictions
- ✓ Current video visitation hours (listed as 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, seven days a week, including holidays)
- ✓ Current scheduling rules (schedule the day before, and no more than seven days ahead)
- ✓ Current weekly allotment (listed as two free 20-minute video visits per inmate, per week)
- ✓ The current technical support process for remote video visitation
- ✓ Confirmation that Smart Communications is still the vendor handling account and technical questions (and that ASO still does not provide tech support)
- ✓ Whether the free terminal in the Detention Center lobby is currently available
- ✓ Whether the Public Safety Center option for scheduled video visits is currently available
- ✓ Any updated access requirements tied to those on-site options
- ✓ Confirmation that video visits are monitored and recorded
- ✓ Any current content limits or enforcement that could affect your visit
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