Who Actually Books a 'Free Visit' at Mobile County Metro Jail (And Why It Matters)

At Mobile County Metro Jail, “free visit” refers to onsite video visitation. In other words, when you choose an onsite video visit (at the jail’s video visit stations), that onsite video option is free - so you shouldn’t expect to pay a visit fee just because it’s a video visit.

Even though onsite video is free, you still have to go through the same scheduling system. Metro Jail’s visits - onsite and remote - are handled through the GettingOut/Telmate visitation scheduling site, and scheduling happens there rather than by walking in and asking at the desk.

Here’s the part that trips people up: a “free visit” is treated as an inmate benefit. GettingOut explains that free visits are credited to the inmate’s account, and because of that, the inmate is the only one who can book a free visit. That means you may be fully registered and ready to schedule, but you still won’t be able to “claim” a free visit yourself if the system is expecting the inmate to use their credit.

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• ✓ Register for visitation through the GettingOut/Telmate scheduling system so you’re ready for scheduling either way
• ✓ Use the same scheduling site to set up visits (including paid remote visits, if that’s what you’re trying to do)
• ✓ If you’re stuck during registration, scheduling, or anything deposit-related, call GettingOut/Telmate Customer Care at 1-866-516-0115

1. Confirm you’re trying to use a “free” credit - At Metro Jail, free visit time is credited to the inmate’s account, so it won’t work the same way as a visitor-selected discount.
2. Ask the inmate to schedule the free visit from their side - Since the inmate is the only person who can book a free visit, they’ll need to book/authorize it using the credit on their account.
3. Watch for the scheduled time on your account - Once the inmate books it, you should be able to see the visit details through the same GettingOut/Telmate scheduling system.

If you expected a free visit and don’t see one available when you log in, it’s usually because the “free” part isn’t a visitor-side coupon or setting. Free visits are credited to the inmate’s account, so the free booking action happens with the inmate - not with you. You can still register and schedule through GettingOut/Telmate, but the system may only show you options you can personally book, which is why the free credit can feel invisible from the family side.