How to Schedule a Visit at Dawson County Detention Center (on-site vs. remote)

Dawson County Detention Center offers both on-site and remote video visits. Each inmate gets 1 free on-site visit per week lasting 30 minutes. Remote visits run through Smart Communications - they're 15 minutes each, cost money, and inmates can have up to 2 per week.

Before scheduling, figure out which type works best for you this week. On-site visits are the better deal if you can make it to the facility: 30 minutes, free, but limited to one per inmate per week. Remote visits are shorter at 15 minutes and cost money through Smart Communications, but inmates can have two per week.

Planning to bring kids? Visitors under 18 can only attend on-site visits, and they must be accompanied by an approved adult (18 or older with an approved application).

1. Create your Smart Communications account - This is the system Dawson County Detention Center uses for video visitation services.
2. Submit your visitor application through Smart Communications - You’ll need an approved application to use the visitation system.
3. Set up payment for remote visits (if you plan to visit by video) - Remote visits incur a cost through Smart Communications, so make sure your account is ready before you try to book a time.

Whichever visit type you choose, you can't book last-minute. All visits - on-site and remote - must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.

• ✓ All visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance (on-site and remote)
• ✓ On-site visits: 30 minutes, free to the inmate, 1 per week (per inmate)
• ✓ Remote (video) visits: 15 minutes, paid through Smart Communications, 2 per week (per inmate)

Remote visits cost money through Smart Communications. Rates can change, so check the current price in the system before picking a time slot. Since Smart Communications also handles your visitor application, set up your account early - that way you're not juggling registration and payment when you're trying to book.

For on-site visits, keep things simple and follow the booth rules. No electronic devices - including cell phones - are allowed at the visitation booths, so leave them behind. Dress code matters too: tank tops and revealing clothing aren't permitted. Getting turned away for what you're wearing means losing your visit.

1. Double-check your Smart Communications account and application status - Since applications are submitted through Smart Communications, start there if you can’t schedule.
2. Gather your details before you reach out - Have any confirmation information from your Smart Communications application ready so staff can help faster.
3. Contact Dawson County Detention Center staff for help - The detention center publishes contact emails and phone extensions for detention staff (including contacts such as ADavis, TKirby, ZSmith, and JCzajkoski), which can be useful if you need to resolve a booking problem or a cancellation.