Set Up Video Visits with ICSolutions: Registration, Scheduling & Rules for Illinois DOC
Setting up video visitation with Illinois DOC is straightforward once you know the vendor, scheduling timeline, and rules that can get a visit cut short.
Illinois DOC switched video visitation from GTL to ICSolutions. To schedule a video visit as a friend or family member, you'll need to register with ICSolutions and book through that account.
- Create your ICSolutions account - This is the account you’ll use to schedule video visits.
- Download and install the ICSolutions app - Install it on the device you’ll use for visits (Android, Apple, or Windows).
Note: You must be on the incarcerated person's approved visitation list to schedule video visits (unless you're a government official or legal visitor). Not sure if you're approved? You'll need to write to the incarcerated person directly - IDOC staff won't confirm list status over the phone.
Plan ahead. Illinois DOC requires video visits to be scheduled at least 7 days in advance. Trying to book for tomorrow or later this week? It won't work. Check the calendar first and pick a date at least a week out.
Count-time blackout: No video visits are scheduled between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm due to institutional count procedures.
There are limits on video visit frequency. An incarcerated person can receive only one video visit per day and two per week. If they're in restrictive housing, those visits still count toward the same two-per-week limit - coordinate with other visitors so you don't use up the weekly allotment too fast.
- ✓ For general population or protective custody, no more than three approved visitors may appear per video visit.
Treat a video visit like an in-person visit. Illinois DOC monitors all video visits live and records them. Rule violations can end the visit immediately - and depending on what happens, you could lose future visiting privileges. Keep the conversation and setting appropriate from the start.
Zero-tolerance example: Any display of nudity is prohibited and can result in the visit being terminated.
Practical Checklist
- ✓ Create your ICSolutions account.
- ✓ Download and install the ICSolutions app (Android, Apple, or Windows).
- ✓ Schedule your video visit at least 7 days in advance.
- ✓ Make sure you’re on the incarcerated person’s approved visitation list (non-legal/non-official visitors) by writing to the incarcerated person to confirm - facilities won’t verify by phone.
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