Understanding Berks County Jail's Monthly Visit Limit and Video-Call Rules

Each inmate at Berks County Jail gets four 30-minute in-person visits per calendar month. That limit is firm. Think of it as a monthly budget - schedule and protect those slots, especially if multiple people want to visit in person.

Up to three visitors can attend each in-person visit. If more than three people want to see your loved one, you'll need to rotate who attends across the month so you don't burn through all four slots.

• ✓ Schedule the visit by 3:00pm the day before - same-day appointments are not permitted.
• ✓ You can make appointments up to three weeks in advance.

Beyond in-person visits, each inmate gets two free 15-minute video calls per week. These are great for day-to-day check-ins while you stretch the four-visit monthly limit.

• ✓ Use the two free 15-minute video calls each week for quick updates and “face time” between in-person visits.
• ✓ Save the four 30-minute in-person visits for conversations that feel harder to do on a short call (family decisions, important updates, big milestones).

Video calls come with strict conduct rules. Nudity, gang signs, gang-related activity, or vulgarity can cost you real access - the inmate may lose tablet privileges, and you could lose visitation rights entirely. If you're calling from home, keep your surroundings and everything on camera appropriate the whole time.

Privacy is limited. All phone calls, video visitations, electronic messages, and photo messages are recorded and may be monitored or shared. The one exception: identified attorney phone calls, which are handled differently than regular personal communication.

1. Book your in-person visits early - you can schedule up to three weeks in advance, which helps you lock in the times you want.
2. Meet the day-before deadline - schedule by 3:00pm the day prior; there are no same-day appointments.
3. Spread out the four monthly visits - since each inmate gets four 30-minute in-person visits per calendar month, plan them across the month instead of using them up quickly.
4. Use video calls to fill the gaps - the two free 15-minute video calls each week are a good way to stay connected between those limited in-person visits.

• ✓ Decide who will attend each in-person visit (up to three visitors per visit) so nobody shows up expecting to be added last minute.
• ✓ Plan which conversations belong on the weekly free video calls versus the four monthly in-person visits.