Why Calls and Video Visits Are Recorded at Grant County Jail — And Why Three-Way Calls Are Blocked

At Grant County Jail, all communication through the dorm telephone/video kiosks is recorded. Voice calls, video calls, messages - if it goes through the kiosk, it's on the record. The jail's handbook spells it out: non-privileged kiosk use isn't just recorded, it can be monitored and retained. Assume your conversation may be reviewed later. Plan what you say accordingly.

One exception: privileged communication with an attorney. Outside of attorney calls and visits, the jail says there's no expectation of privacy for kiosk-based communication - video visits, email, phone calls, none of it. Need to discuss legal strategy or anything sensitive? Keep those conversations within privileged attorney communication, not regular kiosk calls or visits.

All communication happens through kiosks in each dorm's common area. From there, inmates can place voice calls, make video calls, and send video messages. There's a practical catch: kiosk calls and video communications only work if the recipient has a prepaid account through Homewav, or if the person in custody has purchased phone time through commissary. Without that setup, contact options are limited - even if the inmate is otherwise eligible to use the kiosk.

Three-way calls are not permitted. If someone tries to add a third person to the line, the call gets disconnected immediately. The consequences don't stop there. According to the handbook, an attempted three-way call can lead to an inmate sanction, and the outside phone numbers involved may be blocked by the facility. Even if you're just trying to loop in a relative, the result can be losing that number as a way to stay in contact.

Phone calls through the system are preset to a 30-minute duration. If you’re trying to cover a lot - kids, bills, court dates - plan for that limit so you can handle the most important topics first.

Telephone and video visit access is a privilege here, not a guaranteed right. Abuse it, and access can be revoked. This applies to visitors too. Video visits - whether from the lobby or from home - are recorded. If a visitor is disruptive, acting inappropriately, or not dressed properly, staff can end the visit and revoke future visitation privileges. Recording a video visit is also prohibited. If you record the session, the call can be terminated immediately and your telephone/video call or video visitation privileges may be ended permanently.

Practical Advice Families

• ✓ Don’t attempt a three-way call - it will be disconnected and can lead to sanctions and the outside phone number being blocked.

• ✓ Don’t record video visits for any reason - recording can end the visit immediately and may cost future visiting/calling privileges.
• ✓ Keep your side of the visit calm and appropriate, and show up properly dressed - disruptive or inappropriate behavior (including dress) can get the visit stopped and future visitation revoked.

• ✓ Don’t discuss privileged attorney topics or other highly sensitive details on regular kiosk calls, video visits, or messages - non-attorney kiosk communications have no expectation of privacy and are subject to recording, monitoring, and retention.

Calls or video contact not going through? Check the payment setup first. Grant County Jail's kiosk communications require either a prepaid Homewav account on your end or phone time purchased through facility commissary. Get this sorted ahead of time to avoid missed calls and last-minute scrambling.