How to Visit Facility

Right now, the Branch County Sheriff's online jail pages aren't working. The pages for Inmate Visitation, Inmate Account Deposit, Inmate Mail, and Forms & Resources all return a "403 Forbidden" message. That means the information you'd normally look up online just isn't available. This affects everything: confirming the visiting schedule, figuring out how to add money to an inmate account, checking mail rules, and downloading any forms you might need before showing up.

Steps to Follow

• ✓ Call Branch County Jail and ask for the current visitation schedule, sign-in rules, and any visitor limits.
• ✓ Ask what identification visitors must bring, and whether you need to be pre-approved.
• ✓ Confirm how to send money to an inmate account, including the approved method(s) and any fees involved.
• ✓ Confirm the current inmate mail rules, including what is allowed, what is not allowed, and any special restrictions.
• ✓ Ask how to get any required forms or instructions since the Forms & Resources page is also blocked.
• ✓ If you are hearing different answers from different people, ask for the rule in writing (or ask who can confirm it) before you travel.

1. Ask what forms you need: Tell staff what you are trying to do (schedule a visit, send mail, add funds) and ask if any form is required.
2. Request the form directly: Ask whether they can provide it by email, by pickup, or by mail.
3. Confirm how it must be submitted: Ask whether they accept paper forms only, whether digital copies are allowed, and where the completed form should go.
4. Double-check any prerequisites: Before you leave the call, confirm any required ID, approval steps, or timing requirements so you do not get turned away.

Since the Sheriff's pages for visitation, deposits, mail, and forms are all returning 403 Forbidden errors, your best bet is to call the jail directly and ask about the details. Here's what to cover: Start with eligibility and scheduling. Find out whether you're approved to visit and what the current hours are, since these can change. Ask what ID you'll need at check-in and whether first-time visitors need prior approval. Then ask about inmate accounts. Confirm the approved methods for adding money, which service they use, and any processing fees. For mail, ask what types of items are accepted, what gets rejected, and whether any temporary restrictions are in effect. Finally, ask how to get any forms or written instructions you might need, since the Forms & Resources page is blocked too. If there are short-term policy changes, ask what's currently in effect so you're not working off outdated information.