Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Sampson Correctional: How to Choose
Trying to decide between a video visit and an in-person visit? Here's the good news: North Carolina DAC facilities allow both. The best choice usually comes down to what you can realistically manage—travel, timing, and what your loved one's current visitation setup allows.
North Carolina DAC facilities offer two official ways to visit: in-person and video. You're not locked into one option. Choose whichever fits your schedule, your budget, and what feels most realistic for staying connected.
Video visits happen through a video visiting app. Your loved one connects from inside the facility using an electronic tablet or video kiosk. You join from home - all you need is a personal computer with an internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and a recent web browser. Some video visits can happen on-demand; others need to be scheduled in advance.
One rule applies no matter how convenient video visits seem: you must already be on your loved one's approved visitors list. If you're not approved yet, that's the first step before video visiting becomes an option.
When comparing your options, pay attention to the limits on how often you can connect and who can be there. Under normal circumstances, an incarcerated person gets one visiting session per week, lasting up to two hours. Group size matters too - the normal maximum is three approved visitors per session. If you want to include multiple family members, you may need to plan who attends each time.
Note: The facility warden can adjust visiting times, frequency, duration, and group size based on security or operational needs.
When Choose Video
- ✓ You can’t easily travel to the facility but still want face-to-face time - video visits can be done from home with the right computer setup.
- ✓ You want a visit option that can happen through a video visiting app, with your loved one joining from a facility tablet or kiosk.
- ✓ You’re looking for flexibility: video visits may be available on-demand or scheduled ahead.
- ✓ You’re already on your loved one’s approved visitors list (video visits are limited to approved visitors).
- Confirm you’re eligible - video visits are limited to people on the incarcerated person’s approved visitors list.
- Choose your setup - your loved one will connect from a facility tablet or video kiosk, and you can connect from home.
- Get your tech ready - use a personal computer with internet access, a webcam, a microphone, and a recent web browser.
- Decide on timing - video visits can be on-demand or scheduled for a future time/date, depending on what’s available when you book.
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