Free On‑Site Video Visits vs. Paid Remote Visits at Cherokee County Jail: Which Should You Choose?

Both on-site and remote video visits are scheduled through iWebVisit. The real difference isn't how you sign up - it's what you get. On-site visits are free but more structured. Remote visits cost money but fit more easily into a busy schedule.

If cost is your main concern, on-site video visitation wins. Visits at the Visitation Center are free - a real advantage if you plan to visit regularly.

The tradeoff for free? Less flexibility. On-site visits must be scheduled one day in advance, so last-minute slots usually aren't an option. Each inmate gets one on-site visit per day on their assigned visitation day, meaning availability depends on when your loved one is actually eligible.

• ✓ On-site visits are limited to 30 minutes per visit.
• ✓ No more than two visitors are permitted at each on-site video visitation terminal.

Remote visits are built for flexibility. You can book same-day (up to one hour before the visit starts) or plan ahead - up to three weeks in advance. They're available seven days a week in morning, afternoon, and evening blocks. Hours differ depending on whether you're booking a standard visit or an approved confidential visit.

• ✓ Each remote visit is 15 minutes long.
• ✓ Each inmate may have up to three remote visits per day.

Remote visits aren't free. Standard visits cost $6.00 each. Approved confidential visitors - attorneys, for example - pay $7.00 per visit.

Since remote visits are paid, cancellation policies matter. If your visit gets canceled due to a scheduling conflict, lockdown, or inmate release/transfer, you may receive a credit voucher. You won't necessarily lose money for a visit that didn't happen through no fault of your own.

Privacy is another factor to consider. Remote visits come in two types: standard ($6.00) and approved confidential ($7.00). Each has different hours and pricing. If you need a confidential conversation - like an attorney visit - make sure you book under the "confidential" option so you're using the correct visit type and time window.

Practical

• ✓ Choose on-site if you want free visits at the Visitation Center (no per-visit fee).
• ✓ Choose remote if you need schedule flexibility: book the same day (up to 1 hour before start) or up to 3 weeks ahead.
• ✓ Pick on-site if you want a longer visit: on-site visits are 30 minutes.
• ✓ Pick remote if you can work with shorter, more frequent check-ins: remote visits are 15 minutes, up to three per day per inmate.
• ✓ Plan around capacity for on-site: only two visitors per terminal.
• ✓ Plan around eligibility for on-site: each inmate gets one on-site visit per day on the inmate’s assigned visitation day.
• ✓ Budget for remote pricing: $6.00 per standard remote visit, $7.00 per approved confidential remote visit.
• ✓ If a remote visit gets canceled due to scheduling conflicts, lockdown, or release/transfer, ask about a credit voucher.

1. Decide whether you can travel to the Visitation Center - if you can, the free on-site option is usually the most budget-friendly.
2. If you’re going on-site, schedule one day ahead - on-site visits must be booked one day in advance.
3. If you’re visiting remotely, pick a booking window that fits your life - schedule the same day (up to 1 hour before start) or reserve a time up to 3 weeks out.
4. Match your expectations to the time limits - remote visits are 15 minutes (up to three per day), while on-site visits run 30 minutes.
5. Confirm the cost before you book - standard remote visits are $6.00 each; approved confidential remote visits are $7.00 each.