How to Visit Facility
Video visitation with someone in Maricopa County Sheriff's Office custody runs through ViaPath's GettingOut system. Set up your account correctly from the start, and the rest of the process gets much smoother.
You'll need a validated ViaPath account to visit remotely. MCSO uses this same account for both receiving remote video visits and scheduling onsite video visits. Stick to one account only. ViaPath allows "Friends and Family" to create a single account, and duplicates can get suspended and blocked. Use a valid email address when you sign up so you can confirm the account and receive visit updates.
You must be at least 18 to hold an approved MCSO/ViaPath "Friends and Family" account for remote video visitation. Anyone under 18 can still appear on-screen, but an adult must be present with them for the entire visit. These rules can change, so confirm the current requirements before you plan around a specific visit.
Cost and who can start a visit: Remote video visits cost $0.25 per minute, and you're only charged for the time you actually use. On-demand "Visit Now" sessions can only be initiated by the incarcerated person. Friends and family cannot pre-schedule video visits from outside the facility.
Rule violations have consequences: Breaking visitation rules can get your visit canceled, your visitor account restricted for 30 days, and potentially bar you from future visits entirely. The incarcerated person may face disciplinary action as well.
- Create your ViaPath/GettingOut account with a valid email - You need a working email address to confirm your account and receive visit updates.
- Validate (confirm) the account - MCSO requires a validated ViaPath account before you can receive a remote visit or schedule an onsite video visit.
- Stick to one account - Only one “Friends and Family” account is allowed per user. Duplicate accounts can be suspended and blocked.
- ✓ If you need an approved “Friends and Family” account, make sure the account holder is 18 or older.
- ✓ If a visitor is under 18, have an adult appear on-screen with them for the entire remote visit.
Remote video visits run $0.25 per minute, and you're only charged for the time you actually use. One thing to plan around: the on-demand "Visit Now" option can only be started by your incarcerated loved one. Friends and family cannot set up a pre-scheduled video visit from outside the facility.
- ✓ Follow all visitation rules, violations can cancel the visit.
- ✓ Protect your account access, rule violations can trigger a 30-day restriction on the visitor account.
- ✓ Know the stakes, MCSO staff can bar a visitor from future visits.
- ✓ Keep in mind the inmate can also face disciplinary action if rules are broken.
Before you plan around a visit, confirm the current ViaPath account requirements with MCSO. Check whether a validated account is still required for remote visits and for scheduling onsite video visits. Double-check the one-account-per-user rule too, since duplicate account enforcement can lock you out entirely. Finally, make sure the email confirmation process is working on your end so you don't miss visit updates.
Check the current per-minute price for remote visits and whether billing is still based only on time used. Also confirm which visit options are available to you, including whether "Visit Now" is still on-demand and still requires your incarcerated loved one to start the session.
Confirm age rules before a first visit, especially if a teen will be joining. MCSO requires visitors to be 18 or older to hold an approved "Friends and Family" account, and anyone under 18 must have an adult on-screen at all times. It's also worth reviewing current enforcement and penalties. Violations can lead to visit cancellation, account restrictions, being barred from future visits, and disciplinary action for the inmate.
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