Video Visits Without an App (Jitsi and Google Meet)

The inmate must add you to their visitation list first, just like with any other video visit. You cannot schedule anything until the facility confirms you are an approved visitor for that inmate.

Instead of booking through an app, you contact the facility directly, usually the warden office or the visitation coordinator, by phone. You provide the inmate name and ID number, confirm you are on the visit list, and agree on a date and time.

You give the facility your name, email address, and phone number. Shortly before the visit, often about five minutes prior, you receive an email or text message containing the meeting link.

You click the link, which opens in Jitsi Meet or Google Meet in your browser or in the conferencing app if you have it installed. A staff member typically explains the visit rules before connecting you to the inmate.

Jitsi Meet works in a web browser without installing anything, which is why some facilities prefer it. You can join from a phone, tablet, or computer browser by clicking the link.

Google Meet also works in a browser, though having the app installed can make joining smoother on a phone. Either way, no provider account and no special prison-visit app is required.

Before the visit, test your camera and microphone in the browser you plan to use. Browser permission prompts for camera and microphone must be accepted, or the staff will see a visitor with no video or audio.

Have a valid photo ID ready. Staff may ask you to show it on camera before or during the visit. Families report being asked to hold up a driver license or similar photo ID at the start of the session.

When you schedule, confirm the exact date, time, and time zone with the facility. Ask how far in advance you need to book and whether there is a limit on how many visits per month.

Save the facility phone number and the name of the person you spoke with. If the link does not arrive before the visit, you need someone to call immediately.

Procedures differ between units, even within the same state system. One unit may handle everything by email while another requires a phone call to the warden office. Always follow the specific instructions for your inmate unit.

Stay seated and keep only yourself visible on camera. Staff commonly instruct visitors not to move around and not to have other people visible in the frame. Moving around or showing other people can end the visit.

Dress modestly. Facilities apply dress standards to video visits similar to in-person visits. Avoid revealing clothing, and when in doubt, dress as you would for an in-person visit.

Use a quiet, private location with a stable internet connection. Background noise, people walking behind you, and a shaky connection all risk interruption or termination of the visit.

Do not record the visit unless the facility explicitly allows it. Recording rules vary, and unauthorized recording can lead to loss of visiting privileges.

If the link never arrives, check your spam folder, then call the facility immediately. Links are typically sent only minutes before the visit, so there is a narrow window to fix a missing link.

If you join but cannot see or hear the inmate, check your browser camera and microphone permissions first, then try rejoining through the link. Audio routing glitches, such as sound coming from the phone speaker instead of headphones, are common and usually fixed by rejoining.

If you join early and get disconnected when the inmate connects, simply rejoin and wait. Families report this happening when arriving before the inmate is brought to the station.

If the visit fails entirely because of a facility technical problem, contact the visitation coordinator afterward and ask for a reschedule. Policies on missed visits vary by facility.