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

Yakima County Jail runs two separate visiting systems with different rules. In-person visits happen Monday through Friday only. No weekends, no holidays. Video visits go through Securus Video Visitation and can be done remotely, including through the Securus mobile app. The video option also has more calendar flexibility: it's available Monday through Friday and on most holidays, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

In-person visits only happen on weekdays. No weekends, no holidays. Each inmate in general population gets two 30-minute visits per week, so if multiple family members want to visit, you'll need to coordinate and possibly rotate.

1. Call to schedule: Use the scheduling line at 509-574-2929.
2. Schedule early: Book the visit at least two business days in advance.

Video visits run on a different schedule. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and on holidays (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). You'll still need to book in advance since video visits are appointment-only.

• ✓ Plan for a small group: a maximum of 2 persons total (including children) are allowed per video visiting session.

Whether you choose video or in-person, don't expect privacy. All visits are monitored and may be recorded. The jail also enforces No Contact Orders strictly. If your visit would violate one, it will be canceled, even if you had an appointment.

• ✓ Bring a government-issued photo ID that shows your date of birth for video visits.

Start with your calendar and your ability to travel. In-person visits are weekday-only, which can be tough if you work standard hours or live far away. Video visits offer more flexibility since they're available on most holidays (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) and don't require a trip to the jail. Think about how many people want to visit and how often. Video sessions have a hard cap of two people total, and children count toward that number. On the in-person side, each inmate in general population gets two 30-minute visits per week. If several relatives want regular visits, you may need to take turns. Both options require appointments. Public visits must be scheduled two business days in advance by phone. If you're juggling work, childcare, or a long drive, that advance scheduling requirement might be the deciding factor on its own.