Kankakee County Jail, IL

All visitation at Kankakee County Jail happens by video monitor—you'll need to book an appointment at least 24 hours ahead. On-site video visits are limited to one per inmate per week, but at-home (remote) visits are unlimited. The jail is closed for visitation on Sundays and Mondays. Thursday hours run from 12:30pm to 8:00pm, with a short break in the late afternoon. Plan ahead: the person who scheduled the visit must arrive at least 15 minutes early, and you'll need a valid photo ID. Each appointment allows up to three visitors (including children), and inmates can have up to ten approved visitors total. Everyone gets searched—no exceptions. Leave electronics, large bags, and weapons behind. Photography and recording are prohibited, and violations can end your visit and get you banned.

Kankakee County Jail uses Securus for inmate communication. You can send messages and photos through Securus smartphone services—the jail directs visitors to Securus resources for setup details. The facility also offers Securus SecureView tablets as a month-to-month paid service. These tablets include outbound phone access, educational content, a law library, and other inmate apps. Ordering information is available at SecurusTech.com. Calls placed through the tablet use the in-facility phone system, so standard rates apply. All calls are recorded and monitored. Ebooks from the tablet's network library can be downloaded and read for free. Before leasing or buying, review the vendor terms carefully—Securus materials note there are no refunds for tablet purchases or subscriptions in many situations.

A Sheriff's Department employee opens and searches all incoming and outgoing mail before delivery. Sending books? Only new (unused) copies are allowed, shipped directly from a bookstore, warehouse, or publisher. Hard cover books and calendars won't be accepted. Photos are allowed—up to five prints, 4 x 6 inches or smaller. Don't include blank stationery, blank envelopes, stamps, or blank stamped envelopes; those must be purchased through commissary. Mail with foreign substances (like lipstick or perfume) or stickers may be destroyed or returned, depending on when it's discovered. If someone is released or transferred, their mail is held for only 30 days. Some systems scan and upload mail digitally, so check with the facility if you need a physical copy delivered.

Two main options for adding funds at Kankakee County Jail (Jerome Combs Detention Center): use the lobby kiosk on-site or deposit online through the facility's inmate-search tool powered by SecurusTech. For the kiosk, you'll need the incarcerated person's date of birth and ID number. Money orders and cashier's checks are not accepted—the facility stopped taking those on August 1, 2015. These deposits go to commissary/trust accounts, so double-check the person's full name and booking/ID number (or date of birth) before submitting payment. The kiosk or online portal typically processes faster than mailed options.