Video Visits at Cherokee County Jail: On-Site vs. Remote — which should you choose?
Cherokee County Adult Detention Center offers two video visit options: free on-site visits at the Visitation Center, or paid remote visits from home. Which one works best depends on your distance from the jail, how often you want to connect, and how much flexibility you need.
The jail offers both on-site and remote video visitation. On-site visits happen at the jail's Visitation Center using their video stations. Remote visits let you connect over the internet from anywhere. When choosing between them, consider three things: travel distance, visit length, and scheduling flexibility.
On-site video visits require more planning - you need to schedule at least one day in advance. The upside? Longer visits. On-site sessions run up to 30 minutes. There's a catch: each inmate gets one on-site visit per day, and only on their assigned visitation day. Miss that window, and you're waiting until the next assigned day. If you're driving in, book early so you don't waste the trip.
- ✓ On-site video visitation at the Visitation Center is free.
- ✓ No more than two visitors are permitted at each on-site video visitation terminal.
Remote visits offer more flexibility. You can book same-day (up to one hour before start time) or schedule up to three weeks ahead. They're available seven days a week, which makes fitting visits around work, school, or childcare much easier. Coordinating with multiple family members? That wider availability can make all the difference.
- ✓ Each inmate is allowed three remote visits per day.
- ✓ Each remote visit lasts 15 minutes.
Remote visits cost money. Standard visitors pay $6.00 per visit. Approved confidential visitors (attorneys, for example) pay $7.00 per visit if they use the remote service.
Remote visits require the right setup: a computer with webcam, mic, and speakers, plus a strong internet connection. Apple or Android mobile devices work too, but mobile data isn't ideal - stable Wi‑Fi gives you much better video quality. Spotty connections mean frozen screens and missed words. Since you're paying per visit, take a minute beforehand to get on solid Wi‑Fi and test your camera and audio.
Note: Except for attorneys and other approved confidential visitors, all video visitations are monitored and recorded.
On-site visits work best when you can get to the Visitation Center and want more time in one sitting. They're free, and you get up to 30 minutes. The tradeoff: you must book one day ahead, and inmates only get one on-site visit per day on their assigned day. Last-minute schedule changes can make on-site visits harder to pull off.
Remote visits make sense when travel is difficult - or when shorter, more frequent check-ins help you stay connected. Each inmate can have three remote visits per day, at 15 minutes each. That works well for parents checking in with kids, family coordinating around court dates, or anyone who prefers smaller, regular conversations. The downside is cost: $6.00 per visit for standard visitors, $7.00 for approved confidential visitors like attorneys. If money is tight and you can make the trip, the free on-site option stretches your budget further.
Tip: If you choose remote, use a strong Wi‑Fi connection and a device that can handle video (computer with webcam/mic/speakers, or an Apple/Android phone). And remember: video visits are monitored and recorded unless you’re an approved confidential visitor.
Sometimes remote visits get canceled despite your best efforts - scheduling conflicts, lockdowns, or the inmate being released or transferred. When that happens, a credit voucher may be issued. Since the jail offers both options, having a backup plan helps - especially when you're trying to connect around court dates or other time-sensitive moments.
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