Why Sarasota County Jail Eliminated In‑Person Visits (And What That Means for Your Family)
Planning a visit to Sarasota County Jail? Here's the biggest change you need to know: in-person visits are no longer available. Everything now happens through online video visitation. Below, you'll find the hours, how to sign up, and what you need to connect from home.
Sarasota County Jail no longer offers on-site visits. All visitation now happens through online video. Video visits are available seven days a week during posted hours - but not around the clock. The jail occasionally pauses video visitation for safety and security reasons, so build in some flexibility when scheduling.
The jail offers three daily windows for video visitation: 0830–1100, 1200–1800, and 2000–2200 hours. Outside those times, video visits aren't available. There's an overnight blackout from 2200 to 0830, and sessions may also be paused periodically for safety and security.
Note: Video visitation runs seven days a week during posted hours, but the jail can suspend it temporarily for safety reasons. If your first choice doesn't work out, try a different time window.
If you used to visit in person, here's the shift: everything now runs through GTL's video visitation system. You'll schedule visits online - and cancel them the same way - using either GTL's website or their mobile app. Before booking anything, you need to create a video visitation account. Have a valid email address ready; the system uses it to set up and manage your visitor profile.
- ✓ An internet-enabled device that has a camera, speakers, and a microphone (or a headset)
- ✓ A debit or credit card to pay for online visitation
- ✓ Budgeting for the advertised online video visitation rate of $0.18 per minute
- ✓ Planning with the “no refunds” rule in mind (refunds for internet visits will not be issued)
- ✓ A valid photo ID for visitor check-in (as listed in the facility’s visitation requirements)
Tip: Schedule during one of the posted time blocks and avoid the nightly blackout (2200–0830). Keep in mind that sessions can be paused for safety or security at any time.
- Create your GTL visitor account - You’ll register through the GTL website or the GTL VisMobile Android app.
- Use a valid email address - Account creation requires an email address you can access.
- Check your device setup - Make sure your phone, tablet, or computer has internet access plus a camera, speakers, and a microphone (or a headset).
- Get your payment method ready - Online video visitation requires a debit or credit card.
Before scheduling, match your timing to the posted video visitation hours: 0830–1100, 1200–1800, and 2000–2200. Video visits aren't available overnight from 2200 to 0830. Even during normal windows, the jail may pause video visitation for security reasons. If a session doesn't connect, try a different time slot - it's not necessarily something you did wrong.
Payment reminder: Online video visits cost $0.18 per minute. Refunds aren't issued for internet visits, so double-check your payment method before starting.
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