Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits for People at Tensas Parish Detention: Differences and How video visits work

The Department allows visitation at each institution, including Tensas Parish Detention, but how visits work varies by location. Each facility runs its visiting process based on security requirements and physical constraints - available space, supervision capacity, and what the building can safely accommodate.

One key distinction: contact vs. noncontact visits. During a noncontact visit, a physical barrier - usually glass or a screen - separates you from the person you're visiting. You won't be sitting across an open table. Instead, you'll talk through phones or speakers mounted on either side of the barrier.

Noncontact visiting isn't limited to "behind glass" visits. The Department's definition also includes video visitation - another way to connect without being in the same room or having physical contact.

Under Department policy, "video visitation" means visiting through electronic media. It's also classified as a "special visit." That label matters because video visits may have separate procedures, different scheduling requirements, or limited availability depending on how the facility runs its program.

If Tensas Parish Detention uses Securus Video Connect, the concept is simple: it's a web-based system that lets friends, family, attorneys, and public officials schedule video sessions with an incarcerated person from anywhere with internet access. No travel required - just log in at your scheduled time.

• ✓ Join using the free Securus app
• ✓ Join using a computer
• ✓ Join using a tablet

Availability is where things get tricky. The Department permits authorized visitation, but each institution manages the process according to its own security needs and physical limitations. That's why one facility might offer certain visit types more frequently than another - or change how visiting works over time.

Since video visitation falls under noncontact visiting, whether it's available (and how often) depends on how the facility has set up its noncontact program. Where Securus Video Connect is used, you can schedule and attend sessions online. Your next step is to check the facility's current scheduling process and book an available time slot.

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• ✓ Decide how you’ll join: the free Securus app, a computer, or a tablet
• ✓ Plan for the visit to be handled as a “special visit,” since video visitation is classified that way by the Department
• ✓ Make sure you’ll have internet access at the time of the session, since Securus Video Connect is designed for attending from anywhere with internet access
• ✓ Confirm the scheduled time and be ready to join a few minutes early so you’re not troubleshooting when the visit starts