The Real Cost of Staying Connected: Phone Calls and Video Visits at Daviess County Jail

Each inmate at Daviess County Jail gets one free 15-minute video visit per week. If you're watching your budget, treat that free slot as your guaranteed weekly check-in - especially when paying for extras isn't always an option.

Beyond the free visit, inmates can have up to four paid video visits per week. That cap matters for planning. Even if you're willing to pay, you'll need to decide which days and conversations are worth using a limited slot.

Adding money for phone calls? Don't assume it's available right away. Newly purchased phone time can take up to two hours to post to an inmate's account - so that call you expected immediately might not go through until the funds clear.

Budgeting Tips

• ✓ Save the one free 15-minute video visit for the conversation you don’t want to miss that week.
• ✓ Use paid visits ($5.70 each) for shorter check-ins or when something time-sensitive comes up.
• ✓ If you’re trying to keep costs predictable, decide in advance how many of the four paid weekly visits you can afford and stick to that number.

Start with the weekly maximum to budget video visits: up to four paid visits at $5.70 each for 15 minutes. Max out all four paid slots and you're looking at $22.80 per week - plus the one free 15-minute visit.

1. Add phone time early - plan for up to a two-hour delay before the minutes show up on the inmate’s phone account.
2. Set expectations for call timing - if you just purchased minutes, a call might not work right away.
3. Schedule around the buffer when it matters - for urgent updates, aim for calls after that two-hour window so you’re not waiting and wondering.

A simple weekly plan: use your free 15-minute video visit as the guaranteed check-in, then add one or two paid visits ($5.70 each) when you need more face time. Planning to fund phone calls too? Remember that new phone money can take up to two hours to post - don't top up right before you expect them to call.