What Gets Your Video Visit Terminated at St. Joseph County Jail (and Why There’s No Refund)

The jail's policy is simple: any prohibited activity during a video visit means immediate termination - no refund, no exceptions. Doesn't matter if you had two minutes left or just got connected. One violation and the session ends on the spot.

Don't record the visit. Any attempt to capture audio or video - or to loop in a third party through social media or another app - can end things immediately. If your device is running screen recording or livestreaming software, shut it off before you connect.

Keep your cell phone out of the visit entirely. Displaying or using a phone during the session is prohibited, and even having one visible on camera can get you removed. Set it aside and stay hands-free.

Any drug use or display on camera will end the visit immediately. Even a brief appearance counts. Keep your background clean and make sure nothing in your hands could be misinterpreted.

Gang-related conduct triggers immediate termination. That includes gang images, gestures, or behavior - plus anything visible on camera like posters, drawings, or hand signs that could be read as gang-related.

Pornographic images, nudity, or sexual acts will end the session immediately. Check what your camera can see - your screen, your room, anyone walking through the background. If there's any chance something could be interpreted as sexual content, fix it before you connect.

Dress code applies on video too. You need to follow the county's visitation dress code, and violating it can end your visit immediately. Don't remove clothing in a way that displays undergarments, breasts, buttocks, or genitalia. Choose something conservative and keep it on for the full session.

One mistake can cost you more than a single visit. If you schedule a visit for one inmate but end up connecting with a different inmate who isn't on the schedule, the jail can permanently revoke all your visitation privileges. Before you book, double-check exactly who the visit is scheduled with - and make sure you connect only to that person.

Practical Tips

• ✓ Turn off screen recording, call recording, and any livestream/social media features before you start the visit.
• ✓ Keep your phone out of your hands and out of view during the session (no displaying or using a cellular device/telephone).
• ✓ Dress conservatively and stay camera-ready the whole time so you don’t accidentally violate the dress code.
• ✓ Check your camera background for anything that could be interpreted as nudity or sexual content.
• ✓ Confirm you’re scheduled with the correct inmate and don’t attempt to connect with anyone else.