Video Visits vs. In‑Person Visits: What’s Different in Michigan Prisons
Trying to decide between a video visit and an in-person visit at a Michigan prison? The differences come down to time, cost, how many people can join, scheduling limits, and privacy rules.
Michigan DOC video visits are short and predictable: up to 20 minutes, $3.20 per visit. You pay the fee in advance, so you always know exactly what it'll cost.
In-person visits give you significantly more time. Visiting blocks run 3 hours on weekdays and 2 hours on weekends, a big jump from a 20-minute video session.
Contact difference: In-person visits allow a brief hug and kiss at the beginning and end of the visit. Other personal contact is not permitted during the visit.
For in-person visits, Michigan DOC allows a maximum of 5 visitors at a time. If your group is larger, you'll need to decide who's going to that particular visit.
Video visits also cap participation at five people. One helpful exception for families: children under two years old don't count toward the limit.
Privacy works differently on video. Michigan DOC records all video visits, with one exception: attorney visits (or visits with a representative acting on behalf of an attorney) are not recorded.
Facilities are required to post the Video Visiting Standards memorandum in a prominent spot where visitors can review it. Those standards apply uniformly across facilities. Deviations aren't allowed unless the CFA Deputy Director authorizes an exception.
Video visits make sense when getting to the facility is difficult or expensive. Each session is up to 20 minutes and costs $3.20 paid in advance, so you can plan around a known time slot and a known fee. No travel time, no gas money, no surprises.
- ✓ In-person visits allow a brief hug and kiss at the beginning and end of the visit (no other personal contact during the visit).
- ✓ In the visiting room, vending machines are available for snacks and beverages. Items have to be removed from packaging right away, placed on a plate, and the packaging discarded before you return to your seat.
Quarantine heads-up: A facility or unit can be placed under medical quarantine, which shuts down in-person visits. Check quarantine status before you travel.
Both visit types start in the same place: the Michigan DOC Visitation Scheduling website, hosted by ViaPath. You'll register there whether you're booking an in-person or video visit.
Before you can get on the calendar, your visiting application needs to be approved. You can't schedule anything until that goes through.
- Schedule within the booking window: Visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance but not more than 7 days in advance.
- Know the monthly video limit: The maximum number of video visits per month depends on custody level (Level I: 5; Level II: 4; Level IV: 3; Level V and STG I: 2; Segregation and STG II: 1).
- Use the in-person option of two visits in one day when it helps: Visitors may schedule up to two separate in-person visits on the same day with the same prisoner.
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