Free Video Visits at 500 E. Adams Street: How the Onsite Visitation Center Works

This facility handles visits differently than most jails - there's no face-to-face visitation at all. Everything happens by video. Remote video visits from home cost $0.25 per minute, but the onsite Video Visitation Center at 500 E. Adams Street is completely free. If you're able to go in person, that's the way to avoid the fee.

Here's how it works: the inmate initiates the video call to you. Before that can happen, you'll need to sign up through GettingOut. Once your account is set up and approved, you're ready to receive calls.

The Video Visitation Center is located at 500 E. Adams St. Enter through the west side of the Pretrial Detention Facility - the same entrance used for 1st Appearance court. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, including holidays.

1. Create your GettingOut access - the visitor needs to be signed up on GettingOut, because the inmate initiates the video visit by calling a signed-up visitor.
2. Schedule at least a day ahead - all visits must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance through the GettingOut scheduling page.

1. Pick a day and time within the open window - visits can be scheduled up to 14 days in advance.
2. Plan ahead for weekends and holidays - since you can’t schedule same-day, locking in a time early helps if slots fill up.

Two limits to know before you plan: each inmate can only receive one visitor per week, and visits at the Video Visitation Center max out at two hours. If multiple family members want to visit, coordinate ahead of time to decide who gets that week's slot.

Checkin and Items

• ✓ Government-issued photo ID
• ✓ Proof of your GettingOut reservation/scheduled visit details
• ✓ A plan to use the onsite Video Visitation Center at 500 E. Adams Street (this option is free, but you still must schedule through GettingOut)

If your visit gets cut off unexpectedly, it usually means a rule was broken - and the facility treats that cutoff as your only warning. Common reasons for immediate termination include being in a moving vehicle, poor lighting, your face not being visible on camera, or any visitor not being fully clothed.

Repeat the same mistake, and you could face a seven-day suspension. If you're not sure what went wrong, take it seriously. Fix your setup before trying again: better lighting, face centered on camera, and definitely don't call from a car.

1. Go back to GettingOut to schedule a new visit - visits are scheduled through GettingOut.
2. Choose a time that meets the timing rules - you must schedule at least 24 hours in advance, and you can schedule up to 14 days out.