Video Visits vs. In-Person Visits at Yakima County Jail: Which Should You Choose?

The biggest difference comes down to when visits happen. In-person visiting at Yakima County Jail runs Monday through Friday only - no weekends, no holidays. Video visits through Securus have a wider window. They're available Monday through Friday plus every holiday except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If weekends are your only free time, or you're trying to connect on a holiday, video is the realistic option here. But if you can swing a weekday and want to be physically present, in-person visits often feel more meaningful - just plan around that weekday-only schedule.

Either way, plan ahead. All in-person visits must be scheduled at least two business days in advance by calling 509-574-2929. That line is open 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday - closed weekends and holidays. If you're booking close to a weekend or holiday, count business days, not calendar days, so you don't miss the cutoff.

Video visits run through Securus Video Visitation. There's also a Securus mobile app if you'd rather connect remotely instead of traveling to the jail.

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• ✓ Video visits allow a maximum of 2 people per session (children count toward the limit).
• ✓ For video visits, you’ll need a government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth.

Video visits are monitored and may be recorded - plan your conversation accordingly. They're also screened against No Contact Orders. If your visit would violate one, it gets canceled. If there's any chance a court order applies to your situation, sort that out before you count on the visit happening.

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• ✓ Choose in-person if you can visit Monday through Friday and you don’t need weekends or holidays.
• ✓ Choose video if you need more date options: video visiting is open Monday through Friday and on holidays except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
• ✓ Choose video if getting to the jail is hard - Securus Video Visitation (and a Securus mobile app) lets you visit remotely.

Beyond the posted rules, think about what makes the visit easier on you. Juggling work, childcare, or a long drive? A remote video visit fits more easily into a packed schedule. But if your internet is spotty, apps aren't your thing, or you want the most "present" experience, an in-person weekday visit might be worth the extra planning. If this visit really matters, I'd treat your first attempt as a test run. Make sure you understand the scheduling timeline, and pick a day where you've got some cushion if plans shift.