How Holmes County Jail's '30 Minutes Per Week' Visitation Rule Actually Works

At Holmes County Jail, the “30 minutes per week” rule is about the inmate’s total visiting time for the week - not 30 minutes for each visitor. In other words, the inmate gets 30 minutes during scheduled visitation time to see up to four visitors, and that time is shared. This matters most when multiple people want to come the same day. If four family members show up expecting four separate 30-minute visits, they’ll be disappointed. The jail’s standard is one weekly 30-minute allotment for the inmate, and the group of visitors present will be working within that same limit. If you’re coordinating a visit, treat it like a shared appointment. Decide ahead of time who is going, who really needs to be there that week, and how you want to use the time so it doesn’t get eaten up by confusion at the door.

Even if you’ve planned everything perfectly, visits don’t always happen. At Holmes County Jail, visitation can be suspended for disciplinary purposes. That means an inmate can lose visiting privileges based on conduct or rule violations. Visitation may also be suspended or canceled due to emergencies. When something urgent is happening at the facility, regular routines - including visitation - can be paused with little or no notice. If you’re traveling from out of town or arranging childcare and time off work, that uncertainty is frustrating, but it’s part of how jail operations work when safety and staffing needs change quickly.

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• ✓ Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled visitation time ends so you can receive your full visit.
• ✓ Bring a photo ID for check-in.
• ✓ Dress appropriately and keep behavior/language respectful; you can be turned away for inappropriate dress, behavior/language, or being under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
• ✓ Plan around age rules: anyone under 18 will not be permitted to visit, and children must be accompanied/supervised by an adult in the lobby waiting area.
• ✓ Leave prohibited items behind: no cell phones, cameras, electronic devices, purses, or bags are permitted in the visitation area.

That “arrive at least 30 minutes before the end” rule is a big deal when the total visit time is already limited. Check-in takes time, and if you show up too late in the visitation window, you can lose the chance to get the full visit. With only 30 minutes per week on the table, every minute counts. Build in extra time for parking, getting through the lobby, and any delays so the time you do get is spent visiting - not scrambling.

1. Confirm the visit is still happening - Because visitation may be suspended or canceled due to emergencies, verify status before you travel.
2. Use video visitation if in-person visits aren’t available - Schedule through InmateSales by creating/logging into your account, selecting “New Purchase,” choosing the facility and the product, entering your information, purchasing minutes, and then scheduling the visit.
3. Make sure your device can handle the call - You’ll need a computer or an internet-enabled mobile device with a camera, speaker, and high-speed internet to do a video visit from home or outside the jail.