How to Contact an Inmate at Facility

What to Know First

• ✓ Tobacco
• ✓ Lighters
• ✓ Electronic cigarettes
• ✓ Cameras
• ✓ Electronic recording devices
• ✓ Cell phones
• ✓ Smart watches
• ✓ Backpacks
• ✓ Bags
• ✓ Purses
• ✓ Unlabeled prescription medication

Video visitation at Dallas County Jail is a privilege, not a right. The Dallas County Sheriff's Department can deny, cancel, terminate, or restrict video visits if there's misconduct by either the visitor or the inmate. This includes restricting future visits. Keep privacy in mind when planning your conversation. All video visits are recorded and electronically monitored. By participating, you're consenting to that recording and monitoring.

In-person visits are limited. Each inmate can have one 20-minute visit per day, with a maximum of two visits per week. (Attorney, law enforcement, and professional visits don't count toward this limit.) Group size is restricted too. No more than four people can visit at once, and that group can include no more than two adults and two minor children. Children under 17 can visit on weekends only if accompanied by an adult parent or legal guardian who's listed on the visitor card.

1. Register through Smart Communications (SmartInmate): Video visits are scheduled in advance through Smart Communications.
2. Meet the registering-visitor requirement: The registering visitor must be at least 17 years old and present a valid government-issued photo ID during the initial registration/check-in.
3. Schedule at least 72 hours ahead: All video visits must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance.

1. Plan around the visit limits: Each inmate can have one 20-minute in-person visit per day and up to two visits per week, not counting attorney, law enforcement, or professional visits.
2. Keep your group within the allowed size: No more than four people can visit at a time, with a maximum of two adults and two minor children. Children under 17 can visit on weekends if accompanied by an adult parent or legal guardian on the visitor card.
3. Leave prohibited items behind: Do not bring tobacco, lighters, electronic cigarettes, cameras, electronic recording devices, cell phones, smart watches, backpacks, bags, purses, or unlabeled prescription medication into visitation areas.

What to Verify

• ✓ Confirm you are scheduling through Smart Communications (SmartInmate) for both on-site and off-site video visits
• ✓ Confirm you can meet the required 72-hour advance scheduling window for video visits
• ✓ Confirm the registering visitor is at least 17 and has a valid government-issued photo ID ready for initial registration/check-in

• ✓ Confirm the in-person visit limits: one 20-minute visit per day, and a maximum of two visits per week per inmate
• ✓ Confirm what counts as an exception to the weekly limit (attorney, law enforcement, or professional visits)
• ✓ Confirm your group meets the limit of four total visitors, with no more than two adults and two minor children
• ✓ If a minor is visiting, confirm weekend-only visiting for children under 17 and that the accompanying adult is on the visitor card

Before you go, check the current prohibited-items list so you don't get turned away at screening. The facility doesn't allow tobacco, lighters, electronic cigarettes, cameras, recording devices, cell phones, smart watches, backpacks, bags, purses, or unlabeled prescription medication in visitation areas. For video visits, make sure everyone joining understands two things: visits are recorded and monitored (participation counts as consent), and the Sheriff's Department can deny, cancel, or restrict visits for misconduct.