VisNow Video Chats at Nebraska Correctional Center for Women: How the 15-Minute Tablet Visits Work

VisNow is the video chat option available through the ViaPath tablet system. It may feel like a private conversation, but all VisNow visits are monitored. Treat it the same way you'd treat any other recorded form of communication.

A VisNow session can only start when the incarcerated person attaches their ViaPath tablet to a mounted docking station in their assigned housing unit. Once the visit begins, the tablet has to stay docked until the session ends. Removing it mid-visit and continuing the call is not authorized.

1. Dock the tablet in the housing unit - The incarcerated person attaches the ViaPath tablet to a mounted docking station in their assigned housing unit to start the visit.
2. Start the VisNow session - The call begins while the tablet is attached to the docking station.
3. Stay docked until the visit ends - The tablet must remain attached for the full visit. Continuing the visit after removing the tablet is not authorized.

Each VisNow video chat lasts up to 15 minutes. The good news: there's no cap on how many 15-minute sessions an incarcerated individual can have in a single day.

• ✓ Be ready to talk as soon as the session connects, 15 minutes goes fast.
• ✓ Prioritize the most important updates first, then save lighter conversation for the end.
• ✓ If you have a lot to cover, plan on multiple 15-minute sessions rather than trying to rush one call.

VisNow isn't available to everyone at all times. If someone is on room restrictions or unit restrictions, they're not permitted to use VisNow video chats.

• ✓ Ask your loved one whether they are currently on room or unit restriction before you plan a VisNow session.
• ✓ If a VisNow session suddenly is not possible, restrictions can be one reason, so check their current status first.

Do not audio record or video record VisNow visits. You also cannot transmit a recording to other platforms (for example, social media or streaming services).

All VisNow visits are monitored. That's how rule violations get identified and enforced.

If an incarcerated individual breaks VisNow rules, they can receive a misconduct report and have their VisNow privileges immediately suspended while awaiting a disciplinary hearing. Additional restrictions may follow. Visitors aren't exempt, either. Visitor VisNow privileges can be suspended or terminated for violations.

Practical Tips Families

• ✓ Do not record the visit (audio or video), and do not share recordings to other platforms.
• ✓ Make sure only authorized individuals are visible during the visit.
• ✓ Confirm your loved one is not on room restriction or unit restriction before you plan a VisNow session.
• ✓ Plan for a 15-minute conversation. If you need more time, you can split updates across multiple 15-minute sessions in the same day.