What to Do When Branch County Jail's Visitation, Mail, or Deposit Pages Are Inaccessible

Several key pages on the Branch County Sheriff's site are currently returning the same error: "Access to this page is forbidden" (a 403 error). The affected pages include the inmate visitation page, the inmate account deposit page, and the inmate mail page. The Sheriff's "forms and resources" page is also blocked, which is especially frustrating if you were looking for a printable form or official handout.

Those pages are usually where you'd find the basics that matter most: visiting schedules, ID requirements, mail formatting rules, restricted items, and deposit options for inmate accounts. Without access, you risk showing up with the wrong information or missing a deadline. If you need answers quickly, treat the website as temporarily unreliable and go straight to official staff for confirmation.

1. Reload the page: A quick refresh sometimes clears a temporary hiccup.
2. Try a different browser or device: If it fails on your phone, test on a computer (or switch browsers) to rule out a local issue.
3. Double-check the address you’re using: Make sure you didn’t land on an old bookmark or a mistyped page.
4. Take a screenshot of the error: Capture the “forbidden” message so you can reference it later.
5. Write down the page name, date, and time: Having a timestamp and a clear description helps if you need to report the problem or explain what you’re seeing when you call.

Step2 Alternate Contacts

• ✓ Check the main Branch County government website for a phone directory or department listings
• ✓ Look for a Branch County government staff directory (often listed under “Contact,” “Departments,” or “Directory”)
• ✓ Use the county switchboard or main contact number to ask to be transferred to the jail or corrections staff
• ✓ Check the Branch County Sheriff’s main page (not the jail subpages) for general contact options
• ✓ If you plan to go in person, confirm hours and where to check in before you drive over

Step3 Call Script

• ✓ What are the current visitation days and times, and do visits require scheduling in advance?
• ✓ What ID is required for visitors, and are there any visitor restrictions I should know about?
• ✓ What is the current dress code or any common reasons a visit gets denied?
• ✓ What is the correct way to address inmate mail, and what items are not allowed?
• ✓ Are photos, greeting cards, or printed pages allowed, and are there limits?
• ✓ What are the approved ways to deposit funds to an inmate account, and what payment methods are accepted?
• ✓ Are there any forms required for visits, mail, or deposits, and how can I get them if the forms page is blocked?
• ✓ Have there been any recent temporary policy changes I should follow right now?

If you can't get through to the right person right away, a few other options may help while you keep trying official channels. Check any official county or sheriff social media pages for recent announcements, especially about policy changes or system outages. You can also ask at the local courthouse or clerk's office for the correct sheriff or jail contact line. Some people look up cached or archived versions of web pages (through the Wayback Machine, for example) to see what used to be posted. That can be a useful reference, but don't rely on it for anything current. For anything that affects a visit, mail delivery, or money being credited, verify details with the sheriff's office or jail staff before you act.

1. Confirm the schedule: Call to verify visitation hours and whether you must be on an approved list.
2. Confirm what to bring: Ask what ID is required and any check-in rules that could turn you away.
3. Confirm any temporary changes: Website errors sometimes happen during policy updates or system issues.
4. Repeat back key details: Before you hang up, restate the hours, requirements, and next steps to make sure you heard correctly.