Setting Up Video Visits at Pinellas County Jail: Step-by-Step

Pinellas County Jail uses Smart Communications (SmartInmate) for inmate kiosks and tablets. To connect with someone in custody through video visits, you'll need a Smart Communications account. The same account handles messaging and sending photos, so it's worth setting up early, even if you're not planning a visit right away.

Account Checklist

• ✓ Go to the Smart Communications/SmartInmate website and create your account.
• ✓ Follow the prompts to confirm any required information so your account is ready to use.
• ✓ Use that account to connect with the inmate, then schedule video visits.
• ✓ If you’re a professional visitor (like an attorney), you’ll still use SmartInmate, but you’ll have additional approval requirements.

Pre-scheduled remote video visits at Pinellas County Jail are set up in 30-minute increments. When you pick a slot, you’re reserving a half-hour session.

You can schedule a remote video visit up to seven days in advance, but no less than 24 hours before the visit time. Same-day booking won't work for pre-scheduled slots.

Pre-scheduled remote sessions begin on the hour or the half-hour. If you schedule a 30-minute visit, expect start times like 2:00 or 2:30, not 2:10.

Remote video visitation hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. Just make sure your chosen time falls inside that daily window.

Each inmate gets four video visitation sessions per week, 30 minutes each. Those sessions can be used for either pre-scheduled remote visits or on-demand (inmate-initiated) video visits.

Need more time than the weekly sessions cover? Additional video visitation sessions cost $0.16 per minute. Good to know if you're working around a busy week or missed a call and want another chance to connect.

On-demand video visits (inmate-initiated) move fast. When the call comes in, you have three minutes to answer on your end. Miss that window and the call is gone.

• ✓ Sign in to your Smart Communications/SmartInmate account ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when a call comes through.
• ✓ Keep your phone or computer nearby during visitation hours (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.).
• ✓ Turn on notifications for the SmartInmate service/app so you see an incoming on-demand call.
• ✓ Check your camera, microphone, and internet connection before you expect a call.
• ✓ Answer immediately. You only have three minutes to pick up on-demand video visits.
• ✓ If you’re trying to conserve the weekly allowance (four 30-minute sessions), coordinate timing so calls are less likely to be missed.

All remote professional visitation at Pinellas County Jail goes through Smart Communications (SmartInmate). Professionals need to sign up through SmartInmate to access remote visits. Approval requires a government-issued ID and a Bar Card. Get that step done before you need to schedule anything time-sensitive.

In-person attorney visitation is available Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Florida attorneys must present a Florida driver license and a valid Florida Bar card for admittance. During regular business hours, no prior approval is needed for in-person visits.