Video Visits vs In-Person Visits — Using the Getting Out Visits App for Hyde CI
Trying to stay connected with someone at Hyde Correctional Institution? You've got two main options: video visits or in-person visits. Here's how video visiting works in North Carolina prisons, what the Getting Out Visits app does, and how to decide which option makes sense for you.
In North Carolina prisons, video visiting is designed to let you talk face-to-face without traveling to the facility. During a video visit, your loved one speaks with you either from their electronic tablet or from a video kiosk inside the correctional facility.
One detail trips people up: video visits aren't open to everyone. You must be on the incarcerated person's approved visitors list. Not approved? The visit won't happen - no matter how prepared you are on your end. Confirm you're on that list before spending time setting up a video visit.
Video visits work two ways: on-demand (when available) or scheduled for a specific date and time. That flexibility is one of the biggest advantages over planning an in-person trip. You can also do video visits from home on a personal computer. You'll need an internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and a recent web browser.
For NC prisons - including Hyde CI - the department recommends the Getting Out Visits app. Use it to conduct video visits and schedule appointments.
- Download the Getting Out Visits app - This is the recommended tool for conducting a video visit or making a video visit appointment.
- Open the app and follow the prompts to start a visit - The app is where you’ll set up the video visit process from your side.
- Choose the visit type - Video visits can be on-demand or scheduled for a future time and date.
- Schedule the visit if you’re not doing on-demand - Pick a future time/date in the app when scheduling is required.
- Start the visit at the scheduled time (or when on-demand is available) - This is when you’ll conduct the video visit through the app.
Pros Cons
- ✓ Video visits let your loved one talk with you from an electronic tablet or a facility video kiosk.
- ✓ Video visits can be on-demand, which can be easier than planning far ahead.
- ✓ You can also schedule a video visit for a future time and date if you need a set plan.
- ✓ You may be able to visit from home on a personal computer, which saves travel time.
- ✓ Visiting from home requires workable tech: internet, a webcam, a microphone, and a recent web browser.
In-person visits at NCDAC prisons are by appointment only. To schedule, call or email the prison where the person is housed. Even after you've set it up, call the day before to confirm the facility's visitation status. That quick check can save you a long, stressful trip if something has changed.
- Use the Getting Out Visits app - The department recommends this app to conduct a video visit or make a video visit appointment.
- Decide between on-demand or scheduled - Video visits can be on-demand, or you can schedule for a future time and date.
- If you’re scheduling, set the future time/date in the app - This is your “appointment” for video visiting.
- Get your device ready if you’re visiting from home - You’ll need a personal computer with internet, a webcam, a microphone, and a recent web browser.
- Join and conduct the visit - At the scheduled time (or when on-demand is available), use the app to complete the video visit.
Note: Video visits are limited to people on the incarcerated person’s approved visitors list. If you’re not approved yet, you’ll need to get that in place before video visiting will work.
If you decide on an in-person visit instead, remember: NCDAC visits are by appointment only. Schedule by calling or emailing the prison where the person is housed. Before you leave home, call the prison the day before to confirm visitation status. It's a small step that can prevent a wasted drive.
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