Free vs. Paid Visits at Dubuque County Jail: How to Make the Most of Your Two Weekly On‑Site Visits
Staying connected with someone at Dubuque County Jail means understanding the difference between free on-site visits and paid off-site visits. Here's how the jail's two free 25-minute on-site visits each week stack up against the paid 15-minute off-site option—and the scheduling rules you need to know.
Each inmate at Dubuque County Jail gets two free on-site visits per week, 25 minutes each. There's also a paid option: one off-site visit per day for 15 minutes, with the visitor covering the cost. One rule shapes everything - only one visitor can see an inmate at a time. Coordinate with family ahead of time to decide who's going when.
Note: The visiting week resets on Monday. Keep that in mind when spacing out those two free on-site visits.
On-site visits happen Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you want to use the free visits, those weekday hours are your only window.
Visiting times can vary by housing unit, even within those weekday hours. A slot that works for one person might not be available for someone in a different part of the jail. Confirm the time options for your loved one's unit before you finalize your plan.
Paid off-site visits fill the gaps when on-site hours don't work. You can schedule them for evenings, weekends, and holidays - a real option if weekday business hours aren't realistic for you.
All scheduling goes through JAIL ATM. Log in to your account at least 24 hours before your desired visit time. Before you can book anything, you'll need to complete visitor registration using the link on the jail's visitation page.
Plan ahead: Same-day scheduling isn't an option. Register early and book at least 24 hours in advance.
Visitor Rules
- ✓ Bring picture identification that includes your address.
- ✓ Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed.
Warning: Cell phones and cameras aren’t permitted in the visitation area. If you bring them in, the visit can be terminated.
Don't skip registration. You have to register before visiting - use the link on the jail's visitation page. Handle this before you try to schedule anything.
- Map your week from Monday - since the visiting week starts on Monday, decide early where your two free on-site visits fit so you don’t accidentally bunch them too late.
- Aim for the weekday on-site window - free on-site visits happen Monday–Friday (excluding holidays) between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so build your schedule around that block.
- Confirm the housing-unit timing - visiting hours can vary by housing unit, so check the available times connected to your loved one’s unit before you commit to travel time.
Paid off-site visits make sense when weekdays aren't realistic or you need more flexibility. Each inmate can have one 15-minute off-site visit per day, and the visitor pays the fee. Since you can schedule these for evenings, weekends, and holidays, they're often the better fit if on-site hours don't work for your schedule.
- ✓ Register as a visitor first, then schedule through JAIL ATM at least 24 hours ahead.
- ✓ Bring picture ID that includes your address.
- ✓ Leave cell phones and cameras out of the visitation area.
- ✓ Make sure everyone visiting is 18 or older.
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