Penmate Inmate Support Guides
pamlico-video-vs-in-person-visits

Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Pamlico Correctional Institution: Which is best for your family?

Pamlico Correctional Institution offers both video and in-person visits, so you can choose what works best for your family's schedule and situation. Staying connected matters—visits can make a real difference during someone's time in prison.

• 3 min read • dac.nc.gov
Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Pamlico Correctional Institution: Which is best for your family?

You have two options for visiting at Pamlico Correctional Institution: in person or by video. The goal is straightforward - stay connected in whatever way works best for your life right now.

Video visits run through the Getting Out Visits system. You can use the Getting Out Visits app, or visit from home using a computer with an internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and an up-to-date web browser. Helping a child or older family member join the call? A quick test run on the device beforehand can save you a lot of stress.

Here's one thing to know upfront: video visits are only available to people on the incarcerated person's approved visitors list. If you're not approved yet, handle that first. Otherwise, you can set everything up on your end and still be unable to connect.

Video visits can be on-demand (when available) or scheduled for a specific date and time. If your family has unpredictable work hours or you're coordinating across time zones, scheduling ahead makes it easier to get everyone ready and logged in.

In-person visits at Pamlico are by appointment only. Call or email the prison to schedule before you make the trip.

Once you have an appointment, call the prison the day before to confirm visitation status. That quick check can save you from showing up only to find out plans changed.

Tradeoffs

  • ✓ If travel is hard (distance, work schedules, childcare), video visits usually take less planning.
  • ✓ If you want a more “real” feeling connection, an in-person visit may feel more grounding than a screen.
  • ✓ If privacy at home is limited, think about where you’ll take a video call so the conversation isn’t overheard.
  • ✓ If kids are visiting, consider their attention span - shorter, more frequent video visits can be easier than a long day of travel.
  • ✓ If your loved one values routine, scheduled video visits or scheduled in-person appointments can both help you keep a steady rhythm.
Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Pamlico Correctional Institution: Which is best for your family?

Choose Next

  • ✓ Use video if you can access the Getting Out Visits app, or you have a home computer setup with internet, a webcam, a microphone, and a modern browser.
  • ✓ Before planning a video visit, make sure you’re on your loved one’s approved visitors list (video visits are limited to approved visitors).
  • ✓ Decide whether you need flexibility (on-demand video visits) or predictability (video visits can also be scheduled for a future date/time).
  • ✓ Choose in-person if you’re able to plan ahead - Pamlico in-person visits are by appointment only.
  • ✓ To schedule an in-person visit, call or email the prison where your loved one is housed.
  • ✓ The day before an in-person appointment, call the prison to confirm the facility’s visitation status.

Going with video? Start with the Getting Out Visits app or set up your computer for a web-based visit. Prefer in-person? Call or email Pamlico to schedule an appointment, then call again the day before to make sure everything is still on.

Find an Inmate at Pamlico Correctional Institution, NC

Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.

Exact spelling helps find results faster

Free to search · Used by families nationwide
Woman using phone to connect with loved one

More from Pamlico Correctional Institution, NC

filing-a-grievance-nc-prisons

Filing a Grievance: The Three-Step Process (What Families Should Know)

If your loved one needs to file a grievance in a North Carolina prison, there's a set three-step process with strict time limits. Here's how each level works, what timelines to expect, and how you can help from the outside.

pamlico-visitor-application-checklist

Getting Approved to Visit: Visitor Application Checklist for Pamlico Correctional Institution

Getting approved to visit at Pamlico Correctional Institution starts with the NCDAC visitor application. Handle a few key details up front - where to send it, what to attach - and you'll avoid the most common holdups.

pamlico-visit-approval-and-scheduling

How to Get Approved and Schedule an In-Person Visit at Pamlico Correctional Institution

If you’re trying to visit someone at Pamlico Correctional Institution, two things drive the whole process: you must be approved as a visitor, and visits are by appointment only. Once your visitor application is approved by facility staff, you’ll schedule your in-person visit by contacting the prison directly.