How Middle River's Free Weekly Credits Work: Visits, Calls, and Messages Explained
Middle River Regional Jail gives each inmate free communication credits every week. Once you know what's included and when they reset, you can plan visits, calls, and messages without surprise charges.
Every week, each inmate at Middle River Regional Jail gets a bundle of free communication credits. The bundle includes one 15-minute on-site video visit and one remote video visit. Inmates also get one free phone call and two free message credits.
Weekly free credits (per inmate): One 15-minute on-site video visit, one free remote video visit, one free phone call, and two free message credits.
Messaging and photo-sharing have a couple of setup steps that trip people up. The inmate can only send and receive messages if funds have been deposited into their trust account through Access Corrections. On your end, you'll need a Friends & Family account in your own name through Smart Communications - that's how you send and receive messages and photos.
Free credits renew every Saturday. Use them or lose them - unused credits don't roll over to the next week.
Plan ahead: Unused free credits expire at the weekly Saturday renewal - you can’t “save them up” for a longer visit or extra calls later.
Middle River handles public visitation through video rather than traditional face-to-face visits. Your free 15-minute on-site visit uses the facility's video visitation setup. On-site video hours are Monday–Friday from 8:30am–10:30am, 1:30pm–3:45pm, and 7:00pm–8:30pm, plus Saturday–Sunday from 8:30am–10:30am and 1:30pm–3:45pm.
- Schedule at least 24 hours ahead - On-site video visitation is scheduled with a minimum 24-hour advance notice.
- Pick a time within the on-site video windows - Mon–Fri 8:30–10:30am, 1:30–3:45pm, 7:00–8:30pm; Sat–Sun 8:30–10:30am, 1:30–3:45pm.
- Show up ready for the full 15 minutes - The free on-site visit credit covers a 15-minute session, so plan to be checked in and on time.
Practical Tips
- ✓ Use the 15-minute on-site video visit for the conversation that matters most that week.
- ✓ Treat the free remote video visit as your “flex” option for staying connected when you can’t get to the jail.
- ✓ Save the free phone call for urgent or time-sensitive updates.
- ✓ Use the two free message credits for short check-ins, quick questions, or confirming plans.
- ✓ Keep the Saturday reset in mind so you don’t lose credits you meant to use.
A little planning goes a long way. On-site video visits require at least 24 hours' notice, so check the visitation windows and pick a slot that works for you. For messaging and photos, make sure the inmate has funds deposited through Access Corrections - messaging won't work without it. Set up your Smart Communications Friends & Family account ahead of time so you're ready to go.
Weekly routine tip: Since credits renew on Saturday and don’t carry over, choose a consistent day each week to use them so nothing gets wasted.
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