Video Visits vs. In‑Person Visits at Green River: Which Should You Choose?

You're choosing between one in-person visiting day per week and video visits available daily through Securus. Video visits run 25 minutes each - easier to fit into a packed schedule if Saturday trips aren't realistic.

If you’re planning to visit in person, the visiting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on visitation days. Don’t cut it close: you must arrive before 11:30 a.m. to be allowed entry, even though the visiting window runs into the afternoon.

Video visits require some advance planning. At Green River, you need to schedule at least 48 hours ahead, and each session runs exactly 25 minutes. That predictability helps if you need a clear start and end time.

In-person visits work differently. They're only available on Saturdays during visiting hours (8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Instead of a fixed 25-minute slot, you can stay for the full visiting window - which feels less rushed if you're able to be there the whole time.

Physical contact matters to a lot of people. In-person visits are the only option that allows it. In the regular visiting area, brief contact - holding hands, a kiss, a hug - is permitted at the beginning and end of the visit, as long as it stays within the bounds of good taste.

Video visits mean no physical contact, even though you're seeing each other face-to-face on screen. What you get is a structured 25-minute session - often the better fit when travel or Saturday schedules make in-person visits tough.

Practical Factors

• ✓ Choose in-person if Saturday is realistic for you (in-person visitation is Saturdays only)
• ✓ Choose video if you need more flexibility (video visits are available daily through Securus)
• ✓ Plan ahead for video (you must schedule at least 48 hours in advance)
• ✓ Expect a set video session (each video visit is 25 minutes)

• ✓ Block off the right window for in-person visits (8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• ✓ Arrive early enough to get in (you must arrive before 11:30 a.m. to be allowed entry)
• ✓ Know that the visit length can change if it’s crowded (if the visiting area reaches capacity and people are waiting, the Shift Supervisor may shorten visits on a first-in, first-out basis so everyone gets a chance to visit)

Weighing connection against convenience? Physical contact is often what tips the scale. In-person visits allow brief contact - a quick hug, holding hands - at the start and end of your visit, within the bounds of good taste. If that matters to you or your loved one, it's worth planning around Saturday's schedule.

Before booking a video visit, check Securus for fees and scheduling steps. One firm rule: video visits must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Last-minute requests won't work.