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

Napa Corrections gives you two options for video visits: use the stations in the Corrections lobby, or register through SmartInmate and visit from your own computer (with a webcam) or smartphone. Planning to handle things in person? The lobby is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. That's your window for registration and scheduling, so don't count on getting it done over the weekend.

The lobby has six video stations available for visitors. You can register right there at the station, so there's no need to show up already set up if you're doing everything in person.

Going with the free lobby option? Plan around two practical limits: station availability and appointment timing. Napa Corrections has six lobby video stations, and the company handling the process won't give you an appointment sooner than 24 hours after you register. That 24-hour minimum is the part that catches people off guard. Even if you're standing at the lobby station today, your earliest available appointment will be at least a day out.

Here's where things get confusing: the county's visitation page says video visitation is available in the Corrections lobby at no charge, but it also says the video visitation company charges a fee for the service. In practice, think of "free in the lobby" and "paid from home" as two separate experiences, even though the same vendor runs the platform. What matters is knowing when you'll actually be charged: whether account setup triggers a fee, and whether the lobby visit truly stays free through scheduling and completion.

• ✓ Ask Corrections staff (or the lobby check-in) to confirm that lobby video visits are truly no charge from registration through the visit itself
• ✓ Ask the vendor/platform whether remote, at-home video visits cost money, and whether there are any setup or processing fees tied to your account
• ✓ Before you finalize anything, read the on-screen prompts during registration so you can catch any fee disclosures
• ✓ Save receipts, confirmation emails, or screenshots of any payment or “no charge” notices for your records

1. Choose where you will register: You can register at one of the six lobby video stations, or you can register using your own computer with a webcam or your smartphone through SmartInmate.
2. Register and submit your information: Complete the registration process fully, whether you are doing it in the lobby or on your own device.
3. Wait for appointment availability: The company handling the process will give you an appointment no sooner than 24 hours after registration.
4. Plan around the delay: If you need the earliest possible time, register as early as you can. If getting to the building is hard, using your own device can still make sense, but confirm fees first.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Call 707-253-4401 on the day of your visit to verify visitation hours before you arrive
• ✓ Confirm the lobby stations are available before you travel, especially if you are trying to register in person
• ✓ Ask, in plain language, which option is free (lobby) and which option is paid (remote), then keep any receipts or screenshots if you are charged

One more planning detail: each incarcerated person can receive two 30-minute visits per week. If you're coordinating with other family members, decide ahead of time who's using those slots. It's easy for someone to accidentally book over another person's visit.