Penmate Inmate Support Guides
Visitation

Free vs. Paid Visits at Garland County Detention: On-Site and Remote Options

Garland County Detention offers two ways to visit: free on-site video visits on limited days, and paid remote visits you can do from home every day. Which one works best usually comes down to your schedule, how far you live from the facility, and whether you need the flexibility of daily visiting.

• 3 min read Verified from official sources

You can't just show up at Garland County Detention for a free on-site visit. You need a scheduled appointment through the video visitation vendor. Plan ahead. On-site visits must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and you won't get in without that confirmed appointment.

Free on-site visits are available Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 8:40 p.m. That gives you a decent range of afternoon and evening time slots to choose from when booking.

Note: Both you and the inmate need accounts on Smart.JailMail.com. Your loved one will send a connection request, and you have to approve it before any visit can be scheduled.

Paid remote visits are also scheduled through the video visitation vendor. Unlike the free on-site option, remote visits come with a fee. Pricing is listed on the vendor's website. The big advantage? Remote visits are available every day, Monday through Sunday, from noon to 8:40 p.m. If you work weekends, live out of town, or just need more scheduling flexibility than the on-site days allow, this is where remote visits really help.

  • ✓ Remote visits are offered in 20-minute intervals.
  • ✓ Remote visits are offered in 40-minute intervals.
  • ✓ Multiple visitors are allowed to join the same remote visit.

Reminder: All visits run through Smart.JailMail.com, and you'll need to approve the inmate's connection request before scheduling. On-site visits also require booking at least 24 hours ahead.

If you're local and can get to the facility Thursday through Sunday, the free on-site option is the simplest way to visit without paying a remote visit fee. Hours run from noon to 8:40 p.m. Live farther away? Juggling childcare or coordinating multiple family members? Remote visits may be a better fit. They're available every day from noon to 8:40 p.m., which makes it much easier to find a time that works for everyone.

  1. Create your Smart.JailMail.com account(s): Both visitors and inmates use Smart.JailMail.com to set up visitation.
  2. Approve the connection request: Your loved one sends a connection request after setting up their account. You must approve it before a visit can be scheduled.
  3. Pick the option that fits your life: Choose free on-site visits if you can get to the facility on the available days, or choose remote if you need daily availability from home.
  4. Schedule through the vendor: Book your time slot through the video visitation vendor. Remote visits have a charge (check the vendor’s site for current pricing).

Garland County Detention directs families to the video visitation vendor's website for remote visit pricing. Before you confirm a visit, check the vendor's site so you know the current cost.

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