Free Video Visits at Shelby County Jail: What to expect in the lobby
Your first visit to Shelby County Jail can feel overwhelming, especially when it's a video visit in the lobby. Here's what
Shelby County’s on-site video visits in the lobby are provided at no cost to you or to the inmate. That means you can come to the Sheriff’s Office lobby and have a video visit without paying a visitation fee.
Note: The “free” policy applies to on-site lobby video visits. It doesn’t automatically mean other services are free.
In the lobby, visits are done through video visitation equipment in the visitation area rather than face-to-face across a table. Treat it like a live conversation that’s being supervised: all visits are subject to recording and monitoring, with the exception of privileged attorney visits.
Before you can visit, you have to be approved as a visitor. When you check in for the visit, you’ll also need to show a valid, government-issued photo ID before the visit can start. Planning matters here too: visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, so you can’t usually decide to go the same day and expect to visit.
Privacy reminder: Because visits are recorded/monitored (except privileged attorney visits), assume anything you say or do can be reviewed. Approval and ID checks are part of that process.
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- ✓ Don’t use a cell phone or tablet device during the visit.
- ✓ Keep your behavior calm and appropriate; visits are monitored, and disruptive conduct can end the session.
- ✓ Watch your language and what’s on camera; anything offensive or inappropriate can be a problem in a recorded visit.
Warning: If you break lobby rules, staff can end the visit. Since sessions are recorded/monitored, violations don’t stay private.
Lobby video visits run in set time blocks. One posted time slot is 7:20 to 7:50 p.m., which gives you a feel for the typical length of a session. Your exact day and time will depend on the schedule and what you reserved in advance.
- Get approved and bring your ID - you must be an approved visitor, and you’ll need a valid government-issued ID at check-in.
- Schedule at least a day ahead - visits have to be scheduled at least 24 hours before the time you want.
- Put your phone away - don’t use cell phones or tablets during the visit.
- Act like you’re on camera (because you are) - visits are recorded and monitored (except privileged attorney visits), so keep the conversation and behavior appropriate.
Tip: The lobby video visit is free, which helps - but it’s still a recorded/monitored setting (except privileged attorney visits). Plan your time and your conversation with that in mind.
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