How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
Western Tidewater Jail offers video visitation through six lobby kiosks (one ADA-compliant), open daily from 10:00am–10:00pm. Each account gets one free 20-minute onsite visit per week. For remote video visits, inmates set up sessions from their housing unit tablet by creating a GettingOut account—you can schedule visits, send messages, and share photos through the GettingOut app or website. Video visits are blocked during meals and headcounts, and some inmates may lose privileges for disciplinary reasons. Personal visits are denied for those in disciplinary segregation, cell restriction, medical isolation, close observation, or suicide watch (attorneys and court personnel are excepted). Attorney visits happen daily from 7:30am–9:30pm. Items generally can't be brought in without a specific exception, and former inmates must wait at least 30 days after release to visit.
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Western Tidewater Jail offers two ways to do video visits: lobby kiosks at the jail, or remote visits through GettingOut tablets. Which one works best depends on whether you can make the trip to the lobby (and want to take advantage of the free weekly kiosk visit) or need to connect from home using your phone or computer.
Western Tidewater offers two ways to video visit: lobby kiosks at the jail or remote visits through GettingOut on your phone or computer. Which one works best depends on whether you can get to the facility and how much flexibility you need.
Western Tidewater Jail keeps visitor drop-offs extremely limited. Show up with the wrong items and they won't be accepted—so know the one narrow exception before you make the trip.
At Western Tidewater Regional Jail (WTRJ), certain housing statuses automatically block personal visits from family and friends. If your loved one is in disciplinary segregation or on cell restriction, you can be turned away—even if you followed every visitor rule. The same goes for medical isolation, close observation, or suicide watch. These restrictions apply to personal visits only. Attorneys and court-related personnel can still visit when performing their duties. Got turned away unexpectedly? It's often a housing-status issue, not something you did wrong. Call the jail to confirm whether your loved one is currently in one of these restricted categories.
Inmates initiate outside video sessions from their housing-unit tablet by creating a GettingOut tablet account. You can schedule visits, send messages, and upload photos using the GettingOut mobile app or at www.GettingOut.com/sign-in.
The six lobby video kiosks are available daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Each account is eligible for one free 20-minute kiosk visit per week.
No. Inmates in disciplinary segregation, cell restriction, medical isolation, close observation, or suicide watch are denied personal visits with family or friends. Attorney and court personnel visits are still allowed.
No. Former Western Tidewater Jail inmates must wait at least 30 days after release before visiting other inmates.
Commissary timing and limits can be confusing—especially when someone's case status changes fast. Here's how ordering works at Western Tidewater, including weekly caps, delivery schedules, and what happens if your loved one is released before an order arrives.
Commissary orders at Western Tidewater Jail can be placed any day except Monday. If you're timing an order around paydays or visits, keep that no-order day in mind so you don't miss the week's window.
When your loved one is released or transferred to another facility, one question comes up fast: what happens to the money in their inmate account? Here's how Western Tidewater handles payouts and transfers—and how to avoid delays.
