Video Visits at Napa Corrections: Free in the Lobby, or Paid from Home?

According to the county's visitation information, video visits are available in the Corrections lobby at no charge. The same page also directs visitors to Smartinmate.com, where you can register and visit using your own computer with a webcam or your smartphone.

For lobby video visits, Napa Corrections has six video stations available for registration. Since stations are limited, plan ahead - don't count on walking in at the last minute.

Timing trips people up. The company handling lobby video registration won't give you an appointment sooner than 24 hours after you register. For in-person sign-ups, you must complete registration at least half an hour before your scheduled visit time. Build in enough time to register, wait for your appointment, and arrive early to finish the sign-up process.

For remote visits from home, the county directs you to Smartinmate.com - but notes that the company charges a fee. This explains the "free in the lobby" language alongside a separate "paid service" statement: lobby stations are free, while remote access costs money. Check the current pricing in the vendor's system before you book so you know exactly what you'll pay.

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• ✓ Use the lobby video stations if you want a no-charge option for video visitation at Napa Corrections.
• ✓ Plan for limited capacity: Napa Corrections says there are six lobby video stations where you can register.
• ✓ Don’t expect a same-day appointment after you register - according to the county, the company gives appointments no sooner than 24 hours.
• ✓ If you’re signing up in person, finish your sign-up 30 minutes before the scheduled visit time so you don’t miss it.
• ✓ Use remote video from your own computer (with webcam) or smartphone through Smartinmate.com when you can’t make it to the lobby.
• ✓ Budget for remote costs: the county also says the company charges a fee for this service, so confirm the amount before you commit.

Before you travel, confirm two things in the vendor's video-registration system: the current fee for remote visits and how appointment timing works (the county states appointments are no sooner than 24 hours after registering). The county's wording can feel contradictory - free lobby access and vendor fees are both mentioned - so verifying details upfront saves you a wasted trip or surprise charge.