Joining a Video Visit at RJ Donovan: The 5‑Minute Window and How to Connect via Zoom
Video visits go smoother when you know exactly when to join and where to click. Here's how the 5-minute window works and how to connect through Zoom without running into problems.
For PA DOC video visits, the link only lets you in starting 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Not a minute earlier. So don't bother clicking before then - just wait until you hit that 5-minute mark, then join right away so you're ready when the visit starts.
Heads up: Try to join earlier than 5 minutes before your scheduled time? You'll get blocked and may see an error message.
Check the confirmation email you got when the visit was scheduled. It has your video visit URL. Pull it up a few minutes early so you're not scrambling at the last second.
Can't find the email? Log into your Inmate Visitation System (IVS) account. The same video visit URL is listed under your upcoming visits. This is also handy if you're joining from a different device than the one you used to schedule.
- ✓ Open the automated confirmation email and find the video visit URL
- ✓ Log into your IVS visitor account
- ✓ Go to Upcoming Visits and click the Video Call URL
- Click the visit URL - use the link from your confirmation email or from your IVS account.
- Let it open the Zoom website - the link will take you to Zoom’s video conferencing page.
- Select “Launch Meeting” - this is the button you’ll use to enter the visit.
- Confirm the Meeting ID is filled in - the Meeting ID will auto-populate for you.
- Enter your name or email address - this is required before you can join.
Required: Enter your name or email address when prompted. Leave it blank and you won't get in.
Joining from a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer? You can connect through the Zoom Meeting app or your web browser - either works. Just make sure you're using the correct visit link and joining within that 5-minute window.
- ✓ Use the Zoom Meeting app if you prefer joining through the installed client
- ✓ Use your web browser if you don’t want to download or install the app
Link not working? You have backup options: click the "Video Call URL" under upcoming visits in your IVS account, use the URL from your confirmation email, or open the Zoom Meeting app and enter the Meeting ID and Password from that email. Same rule applies no matter which method you use - you still can't join earlier than 5 minutes before the scheduled start.
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