How to Schedule a Video Visit at Multnomah County Jails (what it costs and what to verify)

Multnomah County uses Securus Technologies (SVV) for video visits. Depending on your loved one's housing assignment, you might be able to schedule a remote visit from home - or you can use a lobby kiosk in person.

Not everyone in Multnomah County jails has access to Securus video visiting yet. According to the county's visitor guide, SVV is currently only available for people housed in Dorms 6 or 7 at Inverness Jail. First step: confirm where your person is assigned.

Video visits are offered seven days a week, excluding holidays. Appointment slots fill up, so check for openings early rather than waiting until the last minute.

You have two options: visit from home (remote) or use a lobby kiosk. Remote visits require a Securus online account. Lobby kiosk visits don't - handy if you need to get scheduled quickly.

Before counting on the kiosk option, confirm that SVV is actually available for your loved one. Right now, video visitation is limited to inmates in Dorms 6 or 7 at Inverness Jail - though the county plans to expand later.

1. Start with Securus - Multnomah County video visits run through Securus Technologies, so that’s the system you’ll use to find the facility and look for available time slots.
2. Plan for advance scheduling - You can’t book these same-day; video visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.

1. Decide where you’ll take the visit - SVV can be done remotely (from home) or from a lobby kiosk.
2. Match the option to your person’s housing - Currently, SVV is only available to inmates in Dorms 6 or 7 at Inverness Jail, so confirm eligibility before you build your plan around kiosk vs. remote.

1. Book at least a day ahead - Schedule your video visit at least 24 hours in advance.
2. Don’t miss the signup window - You must sign up at least 30 minutes before the visiting session you’re requesting.

Here's the frustrating part: Multnomah County's own materials contradict each other on cost. The visitor guide says on-site lobby kiosk visits are free "at this time" and remote visits are $5 each. The county's visitation web page says every video visit costs $5 (and notes that visits are recorded and electronically monitored). Before entering payment info, verify what Securus shows for the specific visit type you're booking.

• ✓ Confirm whether you’re booking a remote (at-home) visit or a lobby kiosk visit through Securus.
• ✓ Check the price shown in the Securus scheduling flow before you submit payment.
• ✓ If the price you see doesn’t match what you expected, contact the jail to confirm current SVV pricing before you pay.

Time limits are also inconsistent across official sources. One part of the visitor guide says video visits are 20 minutes; the county's visitation page repeats that. But another section of the visitor guide says social visits max out at 30 minutes. Treat the visit length as something to confirm when you book.

Kiosk Tips and Rules

• ✓ Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled SVV kiosk visit in the Inverness lobby.
• ✓ If you can, show up 30–60 minutes before the session you want - visiting is first come, first served, and lines can happen.
• ✓ Sign up at least 30 minutes before the visiting session you’re requesting.
• ✓ Check in at the Facility Security Officer desk and bring a valid government-issued photo ID.

Plan your group size ahead of time. An inmate can have up to three social visitors per visit, and children count toward that limit. A parent plus two kids? You're already at the max.

If you need to confirm details before you go, here are the main jail contacts listed by the county: Multnomah County Detention Center, 1120 SW Third Ave, Portland, OR 97204 (503-988-3689); and Inverness Jail, 11540 NE Inverness Drive, Portland, OR 97220 (503-988-5060).

Verify Checklist

• ✓ Confirm the inmate is eligible for SVV right now (currently limited to Dorms 6 or 7 at Inverness).
• ✓ Schedule your visit at least 24 hours in advance.
• ✓ Confirm the visit length shown at booking (official sources mention both 20 minutes and a 30-minute maximum).
• ✓ Confirm the cost shown in Securus before paying (official sources disagree on whether lobby kiosk visits are free vs. $5).
• ✓ If you’re using the Inverness lobby kiosks, arrive early, sign up at least 30 minutes before the session, and bring a valid government-issued photo ID for check-in.