Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Sampson County Detention Center: Which One Is Right for You?

NCDAC facilities offer two ways to visit: in person or by video. Both help family and friends stay connected - and that connection matters while your loved one is incarcerated. Live far from the facility or have trouble getting there? Video visits keep you in touch. Need to be physically present? An in-person visit might feel more meaningful.

Video visits run through the Getting Out Visits app, or you can use the web version on a computer. Your loved one will talk to you from a tablet or video kiosk inside the facility. One thing to know: you must be on their approved visitors list before you can video visit. Get approved first - don't count on video as your main option until you're on that list.

Video visits work two ways: on-demand or scheduled. On-demand is great when you have a short window and want to try connecting without planning ahead. Scheduled visits give you certainty - helpful if you're juggling work, childcare, or trying to catch your loved one at a specific time.

1. Schedule your visit in advance - In-person visits are by appointment only, so you’ll need to call or email to set it up.
2. Plan for the appointment like a timed commitment - Show up with your ID and arrive on time so you don’t lose your slot.
3. Confirm the day before - Call or email the day before your scheduled visit to confirm the facility’s visitation status.

Visits are limited. Under normal circumstances, an incarcerated person can have one visiting session per week, lasting up to two hours. This matters when choosing between video and in-person - you can't make up missed time later in the week.

Group size is capped too. A typical session allows up to three approved visitors. Legal, law enforcement, and clergy visits follow different rules, so don't assume they work the same as family and friend visits.

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• ✓ If travel is hard, choose video visits - you can use the Getting Out Visits app (or a computer setup) instead of driving to the facility.
• ✓ If being face-to-face matters most, choose in-person - just remember it’s appointment-only, and you’ll schedule by phone or email.
• ✓ If you need flexibility, compare on-demand vs. scheduled video - on-demand can fit last-minute openings, while scheduled visits give you a set time to plan around.
• ✓ If you’re not on the approved list yet, handle that first - video visits are limited to people on the incarcerated person’s approved visitors list.
• ✓ If you’re going in person, confirm the day before - call or email to confirm the facility’s visitation status before you make the trip.
• ✓ If distance or time off work is your biggest barrier, try a video visit first - it’s often the fastest way to get a visit in without rearranging your whole day.