What Happens If You Break Elkhart County Jail's Visitation Rules

The main rule at Elkhart County Jail is straightforward: follow all instructions from corrections officers. Refuse, and the jail can terminate your visitation privileges on the spot. This doesn't just end that day's visit - it can affect whether you're allowed back at all. Treat staff directions as non-negotiable, even if you disagree in the moment.

Visitors are subject to search when entering the facility, which is why officers give frequent directions. Clothing is another common sticking point. Corrections officers monitoring the visitation area decide what's acceptable - and their call is final. The jail specifically flags spandex, shorts, and shirts with logos endorsing alcohol, drugs, weapons, or gangs as clothing that can get you turned away.

Break the rules during a remote visit and the consequences are swift: the session gets canceled, and your visitor account can be terminated. Since remote visitation is tied to your login, losing the account cuts off your ability to schedule and connect - not just for that one session, but entirely. Take the rules seriously. Keep everything on-camera appropriate from start to finish.

• ✓ Use only your own approved visitor account (you must register and be approved, with a login and password)
• ✓ Don’t use an account that isn’t assigned to you
• ✓ Don’t let anyone else use an account assigned to you
• ✓ Don’t discuss or plan criminal activity during the visit
• ✓ Don’t visit under the influence of drugs
• ✓ Don’t show images of drugs during the visit

Common Pitfalls

• ✓ Don’t discuss or plan criminal activity during a visit
• ✓ Don’t show images of drugs during a visit
• ✓ Don’t visit while under the influence of drugs
• ✓ Don’t use an account that isn’t assigned to you (and don’t share your assigned account)
• ✓ Don’t show up in clothing the jail considers unacceptable, including spandex, shorts, or shirts with logos endorsing alcohol, drugs, weapons, or gangs
• ✓ Don’t try to schedule more than one on-site visit per day for the same inmate

Most canceled visits come down to logistics, not attitude. For on-site visits, you need to schedule your appointment at least 24 hours ahead of time. Once it's set, report to the jail and be at your assigned booth number right at the start time. Here's the catch: Elkhart County Jail doesn't have officers assigning booths or calling inmates out. The ward visitation system shows inmates their scheduled visits for the day, and it's on them to be at the right booth. Double-check your booth details and timing when you schedule - being in the wrong place at the start can cost you the visit.

If your visit gets canceled, stay calm. Ask a corrections officer at the front desk which rule triggered the cancellation and what you need to do next. Since visits are tied to registration and approval (with a login and password), you may need to go through the registration process again before scheduling another visit. The fastest way to protect your access going forward: follow staff instructions closely and keep your communication respectful while you sort things out.