home visits jail

Video Visitation

Video visitation is a great way to connect with your loved one over the internet, without having to worry about unpredictable crowds and overly busy visitation hours.

Visits can be scheduled and paid for in advance, allowing you to visit with inmates at times that are convenient for you.

We offer two types of Video Visitation services:

At-Home Video Visits

These video visits can be conducted at home on your PC computer, laptop or mobile device (Android).

Save travel expenses, time, long lines and parking fees with at-home video visits.

Ease stress on children who can now communicate without visiting the facility in person.

On-site Video Visits

On-site video visits are conducted at visitation stations at the facility.

With these visits, you are still required to travel to the facility.

Through our easy-to-use website, you can schedule, register, and pay for (if applicable) the visit in advance. Then, conduct the visit in real-time over the internet.

Please note: These services can vary by facility and are not available at all locations.

How It Works

• Check to see if your inmate’s facility offers video visitation.
• If video visitation is offered at the facility, go to www.gtlvisitme.com . Register yourself and all visitors participating in the visitations.
• Select the facility where your loved one is located.
• Search for your inmate, and add them.
• Click “Schedule” to begin the scheduling process.
• You will see the cost associated with your visit at the time of scheduling. Enter your credit card or debit card information to complete the scheduling process. You will receive a confirmation email and receipt for your visit.
• For at-home video visits : sign in to the visitation scheduling site 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit. Test your connection, and follow the steps to start your visit.
• For on-site video visits: arrive at the facility at least 15 minutes prior to check-in. A valid photo ID is required. Each facility has its own rules for on-site visits. Please review rules prior to arrival.

For additional helpful information and a list of useful questions about visitation, scheduling, and facility policies, view our v isitation FAQs .

What It Costs

Visitation costs vary by correctional facility and visitation duration.

Different types of visits may have different costs or no cost at all.

All costs associated with visits are clearly displayed at the time of scheduling. Visitors are aware of all the options and can choose based on their visitation preferences.

Ways to Pay

When scheduling fee-based video visitations through our visitation website , you will be asked to provide your payment information to complete the scheduling process.

We accept debit cards, charge cards, and Visa/Mastercard gift cards.

To get the best experience, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer browser.

Terms of Use governing use of ConnectNetwork services state that all services are intended to be used by persons over the age of 18.

To continue, please enter your date of birth to confirm you are over the age of 18.

You will now be REQUIRED to upload a visitor image of yourself, to include the front and back of the identification used to register to visit.

• If you are already a registered visitor, you would need to update your existing visitor profile by clicking  MY ACCOUNT  and then  CHANGE IDENTIFICATION INFO .
• Moblie Version -  ACCOUNT SETTINGS  and then  PERSONAL INFORMATION . Save and continue until you reach the page to add photos.

Please keep your phone number and email address up to date in order to contact you.

All personal visits are recorded and monitored.

Only one "no show" is permitted. Additional "no shows" will result in a restriction of visitation privilages.

CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK  for the  Facility Visitation Policies

   *Attention Professional Internet Visitors*

 Photo identification will be required when registering, please include an image of yourself, your identification, and for the back photo a picture of your work identification (for ex. Bar Card)

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office shall allow professional visitors (attorneys) to sign in and conduct video visitations remotely. If you are a professional visitor and would like to request access to conduct video visitations remotely, please follow the directions here,  How To Create A Professional Visitor Account For Video Visitation.pdf , to create an account. After your account has been created and you have received a verification that your account has been approved, please view the document here,  How To Schedule A Professional Visit In Video Visitation.pdf , to schedule a video visitation session. Once your account has been identified as professional in our video visitation system, your sessions will not be recorded or monitored.

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Pinellas County Jail Inmate Visitation

Search for an inmate in pinellas county, pinellas county jail.

Address: 14400 49th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762-2877 Phone: 727-464-6415

Schedule a Visit with an Inmate at the Pinellas County Jail

The Pinellas County Jail believes in the importance of their inmates having an opportunity to have visits from family and friends. When an inmate is released he or she needs to return home, and closeness to their family is one of the strongest reasons that keeps them from getting in trouble again.

One way that Pinellas County Jail is able to accomplish this is with on-site visitation, and video visitation using GTL / Viapath .

The benefits of inmate visitation are:

• It keeps inmates happy.
• Allows the inmates to stay in touch with friends, family and children.
• It is used as a way to control bad behavior, as inmates could lose this privilege if they act out.

For more information on scheduling visits, call the facility at 727-464-6415 , sign up with GTL / Viapath , or scroll down for a complete section of Visiting Hours, Signing up and Registering with GTL / Viapath , and Frequently Asked Questions and Answers, including dress codes, rules and guidelines.

Inmate Visiting Hours at the Pinellas County Jail

Pinellas county jail 'at-the-jail' or 'remotely-from-home'  inmate video visitation schedule, registration & guidelines.

14400 49th Street North Clearwater, FL 33762-2877 727-464-6842

• You will also need to download software to do this. Software for Windows | How to download the Software instructional video . Software for Macs | How to download the Software instructional video .
• If you have an Android Device, you can do all of this on your phone .
• For assistance using the website or any technical issues please call 727-464-6842 between the hours of 10:00AM to 4:30PM - 7 days a week for assistance.
• All visits are 40 minutes long. You must check in within the first 20 minutes of the start time or the visit will be cancelled.
• All visitors and their guests (including minors) must schedule visits no later than midnight the prior day. Same-day visits will not be accommodated.
• Reservations to visit inmates will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations will be accepted up to one week in advance.
• Three people may visit; one adult with two children – or – two adults with one child. Children must remain with adult.
• No more than two adult visitors at one time. 
• To visit you must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo I.D. to make an appointment. All visitors must present a valid photo identification card.

For Attorneys Only:    Scheduling & Creating a Visitation Account . Link to the Attorney Registration .

Family & friends visitation schedule, pinellas county jail (on-a-mobile-bus) inmate video visitation schedule.

727-464-6842

• Visitors wishing to visit with an inmate on the Mobile Visitation Bus, as opposed to at the jail or remotely from home must use the same registration instructions as above. 
• For assistance using the website or any technical issues please call 727-464-6842 between the hours of 10:00AM to 4:30PM - 7 days a week for assistance.

For your convenience, the Mobile Visitation Bus will be at the following locations on the days specified below:

Mondays & Wednesdays - Location #1 James B. Sanderlin Family Center 2335 22nd Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Tuesdays - Location #2 North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex 900 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Clearwater, FL 33755

Thursdays - Location #3 Tarpon Springs Police Department 444 South Huey Avenue Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Fridays - Location #4 Greater Ridgecrest YMCA 1801 119th Street Largo, FL 33778

Mobile Bus Visitation Schedule

Video visitation with an inmate in the pinellas county jail, pinellas county jail offers video visitation for inmates using the services of gtl, aka viapath techologies, in order to schedule and then visit an inmate using gtl you need to first register with gtl ..

Next Steps:

• Register yourself and all visitors.
• Select Pinellas County Jail
• Select your inmate.
• Schedule your preferred time for the visit.

For at-home video visits: S ign in to the visitation scheduling site 15 minutes prior to your scheduled visit. Test your connection, and follow the steps to start your visit. For on-site video visits:  Arrive at the facility at least 15 minutes prior to check-in. A valid photo ID is required. 

All your questions can be answered after you register , at the Frequently Asked Questions page, or call  855-208-7349  during the following hours: 6AM – 4PM MST Monday – Friday, or  7AM – 4PM MST Saturday – Sunday

Costs for Visits are subject to change but generally run less than $10.00 for a 30 minute visit. Payment can be made with Visa, Mastercard debit, credit or gift cards.

Visit an Inmate by Video in the Pinellas County Jail

Can i visit an inmate in pinellas county jail custody.

Yes, Pinellas County Jail, as well as all jails, allows you to visit an inmate.

By federal law, every jail must make provisions for offenders in custody, whether they are pretrial or convicted and sentenced, to receive visits from friends or family. 

Every state has their own policies regarding the amount of time that a jail must provide offenders in their custody, and then every facility gets to set their own rules, number of times, schedules, etc.   Some jails only allow 30 minutes a month. Others as much as an hour every day.

Before visiting, your inmate will have to have put you on an ‘inmate visitor’s list.' Jails can limit this approved list to as few as five people to as many as twenty.

The jail will most likely run a targeted background check on you, checking for outstanding warrants, criminal convictions and other red flags that may indicate to them that you could be a problem for the jail, a bad influence on the inmate or just be someone whose past puts you in violation of their policies.

There are three different types of visitation: •    Video visitation  •    In-person non-contact visitation •    Contact visitation

For security and staffing reasons, many jails have switched to video visitation only. Video visitation, also referred to as remote visitation, is monitored and recorded by the facility. Video visits can either take place using kiosks in the jail’s lobby, from your computer at home, or using an app on your phone.

Most jails, now that the COVID pandemic is behind us, have gone back to ‘in-person non-contact visitation’ even if they have also retained the video visitation programs. In-person visitation takes place in a booth of sorts, with a thick plastic shield separating the inmate and their visitor. Communication is done using old-fashioned telephone receivers like you see in phone booths.

Contact visitation between inmates and visitors in jails is rare. New York is one state that allows this. In a few other states, inmates who have been sentenced for non-violent offenses and are close to being released, may sometimes be allowed contact visits with special permission. A contact visit allows the inmate and visitor a brief hug or kiss, or handshake, both at the beginning and the conclusion of a visit.

Contact visits are also often allowed between inmates and their lawyer, law enforcement officials, and clergy. The downside of any contact visit is that before returning to their units, inmates must undergo a full strip search, which is demoralizing and invasive.

Can I visit an inmate in state prison custody?

Yes, prisons allow you to visit an inmate. Every state has their own limits on the minimum amount of time an inmate is allowed to have for visits from friends or family, however in federal prison, inmates are allowed a minimum of four hours per month.

Once an offender is sentenced to prison, your inmate will have to fill out a document listing you as an approved visitor. If you are not on this list you will not be allowed to visit.

The prison will then run a background check on you, checking for outstanding warrants, criminal convictions and other red flags that may indicate to them that you could be a problem for the jail, a bad influence on the inmate or just be someone whose past puts you in violation of their policies.

Most prisons allow anywhere from ten to twenty approved visitors per inmate, however each visit is limited to no more than four visitors at a time, children included. The list is compiled by the inmate.

Prisons have always allowed contact visits. A contact visit allows the inmate and visitor a brief hug or kiss, or handshake, both at the beginning and the conclusion of a visit. Some state prisons allow inmates and their visitor to hold hands, as long as the hands are on the table where the guards can see them.

However, given the ongoing problem of contraband - namely drugs and tobacco - being smuggled into the prisons by visitors, even the state prisons are moving to non-contact and video visitation. One way the visitors pass drugs to inmates is when they kiss. The drugs, wrapped in a small balloon, are then swallowed by the inmate who passes them through their digestive system later in the privacy of their cell.

What are the scheduled Inmate visitation times at the Pinellas County Jail?

The jail visitation times change often.  It is advisable to contact the Pinellas County Jail before planning your visit by calling 727-464-6415 .

If the visit is taking place at the Pinellas County Jail, whether in-person or by video, you will have to schedule the day and time with the jail.

Video visitation times from your home are much more flexible, often because you are not utilizing on of the few terminals in the jail lobby, and because the companies that handle the video visitation for the jail are providing inmates with hand-held computers, in addition to the video terminals they have in their units. 

We try to keep up with the visitation schedules for Pinellas County Jail, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the schedule, you will find it on the top of this page.

How often can an inmate get visits?

Every state has their own policies regarding the amount of time that a jail must provide offenders in their custody, and then every facility, including Pinellas County Jail, gets to set their own rules, number of times, schedules, etc.   

Some jails only allow 30 minutes a month. Others as much as an hour every day.

Some jails require you to make an appointment one week in advance. Others require no appointment and work off the principle of ‘first come, first served’.

Every jail is different, and schedules can change; sometimes due to an emergency, the visit can be cancelled without notice, the moment you arrive at the jail.

Pinellas County Jail Visitation

We try to keep up with the visitation policies and schedules for Pinellas County Jail, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the information on how often an inmate here can get visits, you will find it on the top of this page.

How long is a typical jail inmate’s visit?

An inmate visit can range from 15 minutes to an hour in length. We try to keep up with the visitation information for Pinellas County Jail, as well as every jail in the country. If we do have the information on how often an inmate here can get visits, you will find it on this page.

Typically, even though an inmate’s visit has a time limit, if you are visiting remotely from your home computer or cell phone, visits can be scheduled led back-to-back, so that even though your visit may have to start and stop every 15-30 minutes, you could visit with each other for hours at a time.

Keep in mind that video visits of this type do have a fee, as you are paying a third-party company. Prices fluctuate, based both on the company and the jail’s policy, but they typically cost about $0.30+- per minute.

How many people can visit an inmate at a jail or prison at one time?

Every jail makes its own policies regarding how many people can visit an inmate at one time. 

The factors that decide on the number of visitors are: 1.    How many people can fit into the visitation area comfortably. 2.    How many staff can oversee the visitation area. 3.    The more people visiting an inmate the more likely that if there is an argument, it is harder to control.

Most jails limit the number of visitors to no more than three or four, with a maximum of two of them being adults.

When doing a video visit from home, there is no limit on how many people can take part in a visit.

What are the inmate visitation rules for Pinellas County Jail?

Every jail and every prison have their own unique set of rules that must be followed when visiting an inmate, but in general, these are the guidelines:

Most important, you must first be on the inmate's approved visitation list that they create. •    Expect to have a background check done. •    Expect to be searched, go through a metal detector or pass a drug sniffing dog. •    You must be at least 18 years of age.  •    You must have a valid, government issued photo ID. •    Recently released inmates are either not allowed or must wait 6-12 months before being approved. •    Felons must get special permission. •    Children are allowed but must be with parent(s) or legal guardian. Birth certificate(s) or other legal proof is mandatory. •    Often babies are not allowed, but if they are, you will be allowed one diaper, one bottle and one teething ring, and maybe a baby carrier. •    Parents must be always in control of children. •    You must stay seated at all times. •    You cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. •    No arguments, loud voices or fighting allowed. •    No cell phones or any electronic equipment allowed. •    No cigarettes, drugs, lighters allowed. •    No purses, handbags or backpacks allowed. •    No weapons allowed. •    It is likely that your ID and your car key will be the only things allowed on the visit.

What are the inmate visitation dress codes for Pinellas County Jail?

In general, all jails and prisons are the same when it comes to dress codes and what you are NOT allowed to wear to a visit. The Pinellas County Jail is no different.

Jails and prisons don’t want you wearing anything too revealing or too gangster. Here are some of the other types of clothing NOT allowed: •    Shorts •    Short skirts or dresses •    Long skirts or wrap around skirts •    Sleeveless clothing •    Low cut shirts or dresses. •    Underwire bras •    Skirts or dresses with slits. •    Sweats or leggings. •    Tank tops or wife beater shirts. •    Excess jewelry •    Hats or headbands •    See-through clothing •    Pajamas •    Sunglasses •    Wigs or toupees •    Uniforms or scrubs •    Heels over 1”

What can I bring to visit an inmate in Pinellas County Jail?

In general, the only thing you can bring into an inmate in a jail is either your ID and your car key, or if they have lockers, you can bring in the locker key. 

Prisons are a different story. Typically, prisons have vending machines in the visitation area and allow visitors to bring in a clear plastic purse with coins in it, usually totaling no more than $40.00.

What do I have to wear when visiting an inmate?

Refer to the answer above that explains the dress codes, but in general, if want to know what to wear to visit someone in jail, imagine you are visiting someone’s grandmother for the first time… wear that outfit.

Can we hold hands, hug or kiss during inmate visits?

There are no jails in the United States that allow contact visits as a matter of regular policy, except for jails in the state of New York. Thus, the concept of holding hands, kissing or hugging is not relevant.

On the other hand, prisons do allow contact visitors from friends and family. When this is the case, a brief kiss or hug (or handshake) is allowed at the start of the visit and the end of the visit. Holding hands above the table is sometimes allowed in prisons, but not in jails.

Can friends visit inmates in Pinellas County Jail, or just family?

By law, every inmate is entitled to a visitor, whether family or friend. The only exception to that is youths that are being held in secure juvenile detention centers. The only people allowed to visit them are parents, grandparents, legal guardians, and in some cases, siblings.

In addition, they are also allowed visits from probation officers, lawyers and their caseworkers.

What is a video visit?

Video visitation, also known as remote visitation, is quickly becoming the preferred method for visiting an inmate in jail or prison for the following reasons: •    It requires little to no staff, versus the staff required to move inmates to and from the visit and watch over the visit. It saves the Pinellas County Jail money. •    It removes any opportunity for contraband (drugs) to enter the facility. •    It can become a profit center for the facility, given that the revenue generated by visits is shared with the jail. •    While inmates prefer to see family and friends in person, video visitation allows them to visit with them more often, and on a whim. •    Video visitation gives the inmates and their visitors the feeling of more privacy. Video visitation from the perspective of the visitor allows them to visit from their home, their car, at work, and even allows them to take their device to a family or religious gathering. It allows them to give their inmate the feeling of belonging and not being forgotten.

Video visitation can take place on a computer, a tablet or a phone. 

Video visitation saves time. Instead of spending hours driving to the jail, checking in, filling out paperwork, potentially being searched, waiting, and then having a 15–30-minute visit, if it isn’t cancelled at the last minute, the visit can be done from anywhere during a short break in the visitor’s day.

If the visitor does not have access to a phone or computer, they can make an appointment ahead of time and use terminals in the lobby of the jail.

You must also be on the inmate's approved list, even for a video visit.

What are the companies that work with the jails and prisons that allow video visits?

There are several different companies that contract with all the jails and prisons that allow video visitation:

These are the companies in alphabetical order:

CIDNET City Tele Coin Correct Solutions Group Correct Pay Ctel Gettingout GTL Homewav IC Solutions Inmate Canteen Inmate Sales iwebvisits JailATM Jpay Gettingintouch (netvisit) NCIC Prodigy Sales Reliance Securus Smart Communications Tiger Services Visitel In addition, some jails use Microsoft Meeting and Zoom .

What is a conjugal visit?

A conjugal visit is a visit where the inmate is allowed to spend anywhere from several hours to a full weekend with their spouse. These visits are private, not recorded, and take place in a building, and an area of the prison away from the general population.

The purpose of the conjugal visit is to keep the inmate’s relationship with their spouse strong. Some conjugal visits also include the inmate’s children. A swing set and other recreational activities are available for the children to keep occupied.

There are no jails in the United States where conjugal visits are allowed, however the state prisons in California, Connecticut, Washington and New York all allow conjugal visits.

To be eligible, you need to be married, in good standing with the prison, have taken courses that prepare the inmates for these type of visits, and other requirements.

What jails or prisons allow conjugal visits?

Only California, Connecticut, Washington and New York state prisons allow conjugal visits. There are no jails in the United States that allow conjugal visits.

Other countries are much more liberal and some even allow prostitutes to visit the inmates on a weekly basis.

What can I do to appeal if my inmate visits are suspended?

An inmate can get their visitation privileges suspended for their behavior both because of their interactions with staff and inmates, or disobeying policy, or because of their behavior during visitation.

A visitor can get their visitation privileges suspended due to their behavior during an inmate visit or if they violate any of the rules and regulations of inmate visits and/or other jail policies such as mail, phone, email, etc.

If either the inmate or their visitor disagrees with the suspension of their visitation privileges, they need to write a letter explaining their position to the Jail Warden, County Sheriff or the Captain in charge of the facility’s visitation.

Address the letter to: Pinellas County Jail PhysicalAddressHtml}

The letter should contain the following: •    Inmate’s full name they were booked under and their  Inmate ID# (booking #, etc.). If you know the Unit # and cell #, write that as well. •    The visitor’s (you) full name, Identification Card number (driver's license, state ID, passport, etc.), home address, telephone number and email address. •    Explanation of what occurred that led to the suspension, including the date, time, who was the staff member present, whether it was a face-to-face visit or video visit. •    Why do you believe the suspension was unwarranted. •    A full-blown apology if it was accidental. •    Why it’s important to the inmate to continue visitation. •    What type of suspension you agree to if it happens again.

You should also offer to come to the jail and present your case face-to-face if they are open to the request. It is harder to turn down a person when they are directly in front of you, asking for your help.

In situations like this it is always best to keep the correspondence cordial, professional and detailed. Do not attack the staff member personally. It is always possible that the staff member was having a bad day or was still feeling anxiety or anger from dealing with a previous issue.

Being a correctional officer in a jail or prison is a very difficult thing. They have be ‘on guard’ against physical attacks, manipulations, lies and really bad behavior at all times. They are ‘the enemy’ and they know it. By putting yourself in their shoes when writing or requesting a suspension be reconsidered, goes a long towards a final resolution that you will be pleased with.

Can I visit an inmate in the {facility_name _1} if I have a criminal record?

In most jails it is required that you fill out a visitation application prior to visiting an inmate. You also have to be approved to be a visitor by the inmate. Even when visiting by video, you will need to give your personal information which includes your driver’s license or state ID number. 

The jail will use this information to do a quick background check on you to see if you have a criminal history or have any outstanding active warrants.

It is most likely that you will also be asked on the application form if you have ever been arrested, been convicted, or spent time in the Pinellas County Jail. If the answer is yes, they will want details, dates, etc.   If you lie about this and get caught, you will lose your right to visits for a period.  This is usually between one year and indefinitely.

If you are a convicted felon, you will have to apply directly to the sheriff. If you are a spouse, child or parent, you have a pretty good chance of getting approved than if you are just a friend. On the other hand, on rare occasions, some jails have adopted a zero-tolerance policy and never allow felons to visit.

If you recently did time in Pinellas County Jail, it is most likely that you will not be approved for a visit for a period of six to twelve months, starting on the day of your release. It is rare, but some jails have adopted a zero-tolerance policy and never allow previous inmates to visit, even if your previous conviction was for a misdemeanor.

What if I have a criminal record and the inmate is my child, can I still visit?

As explained in the previous answer, there are generally multiple hoops you must jump through in order to be approved to visit an inmate, if you have a criminal record, specifically if you are a convicted felon, or have recently spent time as an inmate in the Pinellas County Jail.

However, if you are a parent of a child in jail, that is one of the rare times that the jail will make an exception and allow you to visit.

Can a juvenile in jail or detention get visits?

Juvenile visits are limited to parents, legal guardians and grandparents. Sometimes siblings are allowed, but this is not always the case. If the caseworker or staff of the facility believe that it's in the best interests of the resident to have siblings visit, it will be approved.

Can children visit inmates in Pinellas County Jail?

Most jails will allow inmates to receive visits from their children, however if the child is under age 18, they will need to be accompanied by an adult. Further the adult must be able to legally prove their relationship to the child using either a valid birth certificate, adoption papers or paperwork that proves they are the legal guardian.

If there is a ‘no contact’ order in place in which the inmate has lost their parental rights, and this is not disclosed to the jail, then the inmate may lose visitation rights with other visitors or lose other privileges within the jail, as this is a violation of the law.

Because the presence of children can be a distraction for inmates during visitation, and children require a certain number of things (toys, etc.) to keep them busy, many jails are now setting apart certain days, usually on the weekends, for children to visit.

Children also have to be on the inmate's approved visitor list.

To confirm the visitation rules at the Pinellas County Jail regarding child visits, call 727-464-6415 to speak to a staff member.

Are babies allowed to visit inmates at the Pinellas County Jail?

Most jails do allow babies to visit. They will require a birth certificate. And given the baby’s needs, they allow the parent to bring in extra items to the visitation room; an extra diaper, a few wipes, a clear bottle with fluid, a pacifier and a baby carrier, for example.

There are some jails however that never allow babies in the visiting room. The cutoff age is usually about two years old.

To confirm the visitation rules at the Pinellas County Jail regarding baby or infant visits, call 727-464-6415 to speak to a staff member.

How do I check to see if I have a criminal record?

Most people already know if they have a criminal record. Sometimes they do, but it does not show up on a background check. This is usually because the person has undergone a name change at some point, or the name was misspelled when the data was entered by the court. 

The best place (and least expensive) for the most comprehensive nationwide website to find out if you have a criminal record is privaterecords.net , and they only cost $1.00 for 7-day trial.  

Visitation Approval for Pinellas County Jail

Pinellas county jail requires all visitors to fill out an application prior to your visiting an inmate..

• Carefully fill out the application. Incomplete paperwork is cause for denial.
• Honesty, especially regarding past criminal convictions, probation etc., is important. These things will most likely show up on the background check – which if lied about on the application, will cause visits to be denied.
• GTL requires detailed verification before allowing you to use their services.

'At Home' Video Visitation

Who can visit an inmate in the pinellas county jail, who can visit and inmate at the pinellas county jail.

• Anyone over the age of 18, who isn't on felony probation and can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can be approved to visit an inmate in Pinellas County Jail.
• Visitation applicants in in Pinellas County must sometimes submit to a background check. Those with warrants are denied visitation or if allowed to visit, will be arrested at the jail.
• Children under age 18 must be accompanied by the parent or legal guardian.
• Call 727-464-6415 to ask specific questions about this policy or click here for any updates to this policy.
• It is likely that the Pinellas County Jail will deny visitation to anyone with a past felony conviction regardless of probation/parole status. Call 727-464-6415 prior to arriving for the specific jail guideline regarding your legal status.
• If you are a co-defendant with the inmate in a pending case, your visit will be denied.
• If you and the inmate are under a court order to have no contact with each other, your visit will be denied.
• The Pinellas County Jail reserves the right to deny any person the right to enter the jail it chooses and for any reason.

NOTE: GTL, the Pinellas County Jail visitation service, will need to verify that you say who you claim to be prior to giving you permission to use their services online or at the jail lobby kiosk. This will require uploading your driver's license or other state issued ID.

Pinellas County Jail Visitation Dress Code

The pinellas county jail staff will turn anyone away who is not dressed appropriately for a visit..

• Remote Visits are monitored by the jail.
• If you are dressed inappropriately your visit will be shut off.
• The best way to be sure the visit takes place is to dress as if you are meeting someone's grandmother for the first time. 

General Clothing Do's & Don'ts for Remote Visitation * Wear clothes that are not revealing. * Don't wear see-through material. * Have all undergarments covered (males and females) and avoid a lot of cleavage. * Shorts and skirts should reach mid-thigh. * Sleeves should be at least half-way to your elbow. * The following types of clothing are also prohibited: * Clothing promoting gang affiliation. * Anything displaying drugs, weapons or profanity. * Clothing depicting anything obscene.

Pinellas County Jail Visitation Tips, Rules and Guidelines

Jail visits are conducted on a televised screen from another location.

Click here to register an account and be able to schedule visits online.

To schedule an appointment for the video visitation center or mobile visitation call (727) 464-6842 seven days a week between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and guardians must provide proof of their guardianship.

Leave all personal belongings, except for your state ID in your vehicle.

Pinellas County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Pinellas County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

Paying an Inmate's Bond Online in Pinellas County

Pinellas County Jail uses a service called allpaid  (also known as GovPay Now ) for paying an inmate's Bail Bond online for an inmate.

Depositing Commissary Money Online for an Inmate in Pinellas County Jail

How to send a text or email message to an inmate in pinellas county jail.

To send a text or email message to a Pinellas County inmate, do the following:

For all Pinellas County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Pinellas County Jail, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out  Text/Email an Inmate  Page.

How to Send a Carepack Commissary Package Directly to an Inmate in Pinellas County

To send a commissary carepack (food, snacks and goods) directly to an inmate in Pinellas County Jail follow these steps:

• Register here  to create an account with icaregifts  for Pinellas County.

• Choose Florida, then Pinellas County Jail, and then the products you want shipped to them, and input your payment method. 
• NOTE: There may be a limit on how much product you can send your inmate in Pinellas County at any one time.
• There are a total of fourteen (14) pre-determined icaregift packs available to choose from. 
• The gift packs for inmates in Pinellas County range in price from $10.49 for ten pre-stamped envelopes, 2 pens and a pad of writing paper, to $104.99 for a box of 85 snack and food items.

For all information, tips and available items for shipping  Commissary  packages to an inmate in Pinellas County Jail, as well as sending money to the inmate so that they can purchase their own items, check out our Commissary Instructions Page  for Pinellas County.

How to use a Tablet to Access Services at Pinellas County Jail

To find out how to get access to a tablet for an inmate read the following:

To learn more about Tablet Rentals for inmates, including the cost, all the services available and everything else you need to know, check out our  Tablet Rental  Page.

How to Deposit Money in an Inmate's Trust Account in Order to Purchase Prepaid Calling Cards, Phone Calling Time or Commissary

To Deposit Money in an inmate's account follow these steps:

• Create a ConnectNetwork account  
• Select your inmate, and add to them to your account,
• Deposit money into his or her commissary account.

**NOTE** GTL is in a transition merging into a new company called ViaPath Technologies .

• Deposit options available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via phone 877-650-4249 , and online .
• Mobile-friendly deposit options are available via their app.
• Deposits and payments made through automated channels (ConnectNetwork Website, Mobile App, Toll Free Phone, or Kiosk at the jail) are transmitted to the facility within one business day.
• Deposits that are mailed are processed the next business day after they are received by GTL.
• Inmate can choose how to spend the funds you deposit.

All the information you need to understand depositing money into an inmate's trust fund, specifically for phone calls, but also for Commissary, in Pinellas County, can be found on our Send Money  Page.

How to Arrange Video Visitation with Pinellas County Jail Inmates

For all the information you need to know regarding scheduling, cost, rules, tips and guidelines of inmate visits at the Pinellas County Jail, check out our  Visit Inmate  Page.

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Pinellas County Jail by Phone

• Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
• Pin Debit   -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
• Voicemail   -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Pinellas County Jail, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Pinellas County Jail Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our  Inmate Phones  Page .

Photos of this facility

Pinellas County Jail Contact Information

Video Visitation

The Video Visitation Center for all inmates is located at 14500 49 th Street North in the Pinellas County Jail Administration Support Building. All visitors and their guests (including minors) must schedule visits no later than midnight the prior day. Same-day visits will not be accommodated. Reservations to visit inmates will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Reservations will be accepted up to one week in advance. Reservations are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week online. For assistance using the website, please contact 727-464-6842 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., seven days a week.

Three people may visit: one adult with two children, or two adults with one child. No more than two adult visitors at one time.

You must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid photo ID to make an appointment. All adult visitors must present a valid photo identification card (driver license/passport/military ID) for admittance to the Video Visitation Center. Persons under the age of 18 are not permitted without an adult and must remain with an adult throughout the visit.

Public Video Visitation Hours

All visits will be 40 minutes long.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please read the following information to avoid delays or cancellation of visitation.

The following criteria MUST be met to ensure safety, security, and a pleasant visitation period for all concerned:

• All adult visitors must present a valid photo identification card (driver license/passport/military ID) for admittance to the Video Visitation Center.
• No weapons of any kind.
• Drugs, alcohol, food, drink, tobacco, or vape products are NOT allowed.
• All electronic devices, including cell phones and tablets, must be turned off or visits will be terminated.
• No revealing or offensive apparel. No clothing which unduly exposes the shoulders, chest, back, stomach, midriff, or upper thigh. This includes but is not limited to: halter tops, strapless tops, tube tops, spaghetti strap tops, and bathing suits. The upper thigh should not be visible above an appropriate mid-thigh level (this includes shorts, rips in jeans, skirts, dresses, etc.)
• No transparent or revealing clothing which is intended to excessively accent the body will be permitted. (Nothing excessively form fitting will be permitted.)
• Appropriate undergarments are required, but should not be visible.
• Any shirt, jacket, hat, or other article of clothing with a picture or language that maybe considered profane or offensive, or is considered a Security Threat Group (STG) or gang-related, will not be allowed.
• Some type of footwear must be worn.
• No standing or posing during the visit.
• Visit only the inmate you signed up for.
• Do not leave trash, etc. in the visiting booths or visitation area.
• Do not damage or deface visiting booths or phones.  Immediate termination of visit will occur. Future visits may be restricted or denied .
• Conduct by any visitor, including children, that is disruptive or disrespectful in any manner will not be tolerated. The visit will be canceled at any time due to disrespectful conduct if it is deemed necessary by the supervisor or member in charge.

These guidelines, as well as the posted rules and regulations, will be strictly enforced.

Remote Video Visitation

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Visitation Center now offers Remote Video Visitation. Visitors will have the option to visit remotely from a computer or smart device in lieu of reporting to the Visitation Center. Remote visiting hours will coincide with the on-site visiting hours. To conduct video visitations remotely, your computer must be equipped with a camera and microphone. The use of headphones or ear buds is highly recommended. Due to limited available time slots, visitors are encouraged to attend their scheduled visits. Any visitor who fails to show up for their assigned visit or cancels their visit on the same day, more than one time, will be subject to have their remote visit privileges suspended for 30 days for each future “no show” or “same-day cancelation".

Prior to visiting remotely, visitors must:

• Established visitors do not need to create a new account.
• Simply log into the visitor profile and launch the visit from any internet browser.

Check in within 15 minutes prior to the scheduled visit time. Failure to do so will result in the visit being cancelled. Visitor must have their registered form of ID ready for verification.

DESKTOP VERSION:

1. Run Internet Visit Tester to check microphone, camera, and bandwidth.

2. Click Play button next to Start Visit .

MOBILE VERSION:

1. Run Video Visit Tester to check microphone, camera, and bandwidth.

2. Click Launch Video .

Improper conduct that could compromise the security or orderly operation of the jail facility is not allowed and could result in the visit being terminated. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Exposure of sexual organs (to include female breasts).
• Obvious impairment caused by drugs or alcohol, or use of either, during the visit.
• Video conferencing with a third party on a tablet or cell phone.
• Taking photographs or videos of inmates.
• Posing or positioning the camera to show chest level or below will not be permitted.
• Non-compliance with dress code (see above for reference).
• Any action deemed inappropriate by the visitation center staff.

A visitor who demonstrates inappropriate or disruptive conduct may be restricted, or permanently banned, from any future visitation.

Professional Visitor Information

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office shall allow professional visitors (attorneys) to sign in and conduct video visitations remotely. If you are a professional visitor and would like to request access to conduct video visitations remotely, please follow the directions here, How To Create A Professional Visitor Account For Video Visitation.pdf , to create an account. After your account has been created and you have received a verification that your account has been approved, please view the document here, How To Schedule A Professional Visit In Video Visitation.pdf , to schedule a video visitation session. Once your account has been identified as professional in our video visitation system, your sessions will not be monitored or recorded. Please note that to conduct video visitations remotely, your computer must be equipped with a camera and microphone. The use of headphones or ear buds is highly recommended.

In-Person Attorney and Professional Visitation

In-person visitation is available Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

*All subsequent visits will require their own approval.

Attorneys are required to provide a Florida driver license, along with a valid Florida Bar card for admittance into the facility.

Attorneys do not need approval during regular business hours.

If you are an attorney and need a laptop approval, please email [email protected] . State your name, law firm association, inmate's name, reason for the laptop, and the date you are requesting to bring in the laptop.

If you are professional visitor (such as therapist, doctor, etc.) you must send documentation showing your assignment to the client (court order, referral, attorney authorization on firm letterhead) to [email protected] along with a list of items you will need to bring into the facility in order to complete the visit.

For all other inquiries, please contact the general information line at 727-464-6415 .

Calling or texting 911 connects you to law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS. Use 911 for any emergency, including crimes in progress, fires, critical medical situations, and serious vehicle crashes.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office also has a non-emergency number – 727-582-6200 – for crimes that are not in progress, and for general information. If you are unsure whether your situation is a true emergency, please call 911 and the call taker will determine if you need emergency assistance.

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office P.O. Drawer 2500 Largo, FL 33779-2500

Email addresses are public record under Florida law and are not exempt from public records requirements. If you do not want your email address to be subject to release pursuant to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.

Instead, contact this office by telephone or in writing, via the United States Postal Service.

Department of Corrections

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Online Scheduling for Video Visitation/Scheduling for Face to Face Visitation

Effective Monday, January 9, 2023 , in-person visits at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) and face-to-face visits at the Central Detention Facility (CDF) will resume for all residents and visitors according to scheduling services provided by DOC Operations Team. 

COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required for DOC residents and visitors. 

The Video Visitation Center will be CLOSED on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 2022. 

The video visitation center will be open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on new year’s day, sunday, january 1, 2023. , beginning monday, july 19, 2021 video visitation will be resume at the following dcpl satellite locations: .

• Anacostia Library, 1800 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020 – Visits are conducted on Thursdays and Fridays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Capitol View Neighborhood Library, 5001 Central Ave SE, Washington, DC 20019 - Visits are conducted on Wednesday and Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

UPDATE: Saturday, April 4, 2020 – Your health and safety is extremely important to us. Together, everyone needs to play their part in helping to flatten the curve. To mitigate the possible spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) through DC Department of Corrections (DC DOC) facilities, the Department will implement a medical stay-in-place, effective immediately , which will further limit movement of residents and help “flatten the curve”, as we anticipate the pandemic’s peak in the next several weeks. During the medical stay in place, DOC will cease all video visitations.

The VVC is located behind the Correctional Treatment Facility (1901 E Street, SE, Washington, DC 20009), on the ground level of The READY Center.

All visits will continue to be scheduled via the Internet or by calling 1 (888) 906-6394 or (202) 442-6155 (Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am-5 pm).

Social visits at the DC Jail are conducted at the Department’s Video Visitation Center, located at the DC General Hospital complex (adjacent to the jail), and in select community visitation locations. Visits may be scheduled via the Internet  or by calling 1 (888) 906-6394 or (202) 442-6155 (Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am-5 pm). Visits are conducted Wednesdays through Sundays starting at 11 am and ending at 10 pm. The last session begins at 9 pm. Visitation hours at the community locations differ. Please see below for visitation hours for each satellite location. DOC encourages all visitors to arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled visit. Visits must start on time and are automatically cancelled if visitors arrive late.

Effective Wednesday, September 12, 2012, inmates are allowed two (2) 45-minute social visits per week--visits are free and by appointment only. However, One adult and up to two minor children (under the age of 18) may enter the video visitation room to visit, effective November 6, 2012. Additional minor children may be rotated in during the forty-five (45) minute visitation period as long as they are supervised by an adult while in the waiting area.

About Face to Face Visitation

The D.C. Department of Corrections offers visitation for the families and loved ones of those incarcerated in our facilities. Most social visits for inmates housed at the D.C. Jail are conducted through video visitation. However, as an incentive for positive behavior, face to face visitation is now available for eligible inmates. This program began on June 22, 2015.

Correctional Treatment Facility:

There will be no weekend or Sunday visitation on Sunday, December 25, 2022, or Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Christmas Day (Observed) Monday, December 26, 2022 - Female Population Only.         Holiday Schedule - 8AM,  9AM, 10AM, 11AM, and 12PM

New Year's Day (Observed) Monday, January 2, 2023 - Female Population Only .         Holiday Schedule - 8AM, 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, and 12PM

Note:  All Mondays are reserved for the female population at the CTF.

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Learn about the comprehensive impact of becoming a HomeWAV partner, from ensuring industry-leading efficiency to keeping communities connected with inmate communications solutions in meaningful ways.

Experience the HomeWAV Difference

All-in-one technology.

Our patented technology can integrate all your essential video and communication services into one comprehensive platform, customized to surpass your facility’s needs for an inmate visitation system.

Customizable Solutions

Our inmate communications solution is purpose-built for correctional use with technology at its core - our software, our development, and our support- making it easy to customize our platform to exceed your facilities’ goals.

Seamless Scheduling

Unlike other internet-based inmate visitation systems that require the involvement of facility personnel to coordinate scheduling, inmates and visitors can schedule on-site lobby visits quickly and easily without assistance from facility staff.

365 Support

Our Field Service Team offers one-on-one support 365 days a year. Our remote capabilities allow us to satisfy 99% of your system needs immediately. We utilize local technicians for installation and any on-site maintenance to ensure the quickest response time. We’re here to help.

HomeWAV provides free equipment, installation, service, and support as well as complete transparency from the very beginning of our partnerships. We are here to help at ZERO cost to you.

HomeWAV Communication and Inmate Visitation System

The HomePAS™ kiosk allows inmates to conduct remote video calls through our patented inmate-initiated video call technology. They can initiate a remote video call any time they have an approved visitor online – all without the need for advanced scheduling or staff intervention. Remote calling keeps facilities safe while connecting inmates with family and friends.

The all-in-one HomePAS™ also allows for traditional voice calls. As a non-interconnected VoIP provider, HomeWAV provides an agile VoIP phone, which can run through the internet rather than through a traditional, more restrictive landline.

Besides voice and video calling, our kiosk and tablet software also allow for secure, monitored text, photo, image, and video messaging.

The ComPAS™ tablet was built and developed specifically for correctional use. Each tablet is guarded by SupermaX™, our multi-layered mobile device management system that provides next-level security. HomeWAV's customizable tablets offer applications for education, entertainment, communication, and more.

Facility Retention Rate

State partnerships, ticket response <1 hour, mental health communication programs for inmates.

Incarcerated individuals face many concerns. Providing mental health communication programs for inmates can go a long way to alleviate some challenges.

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Important Notices - learn more here

In August 2020, the personal information of thousands of Telmate users was exposed and accessed by unknown attackers. This included names, contact information, driver’s license numbers, passport numbers, Social Security numbers, payment card and financial account information, personal messages, and grievance forms. Not all of these types of information were included for all individuals. Visit https://www.viapath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Telmate-Data-Breach-Information.pdf to learn what happened and what you can do to protect your information.

Effective Dec 28, 2022: Please be advised, once created, your Friends and Family account will become inactive and is subject to forfeiture after 180 consecutive days of inactivity or non-use unless such time is shorter or longer based on governing law or contract. If an account is used by the account holder at any point in the inactivity period, the inactivity period will be reset. A refund can be obtained by calling customer service at 866-516-0115 . If your contact information is provided to ViaPath, and you opt-in to receiving a text and/or email reminder alert, you will receive a text and/or email of the scheduled expiration of your account no later than 30 days before the account expires.

3 Easy Steps to Talk

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Deposits to an inmate’s trust account, as well as probation, community corrections, and background check payments are provided by TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services, which is also the owner and manager of this website. TouchPay Holdings, LLC d/b/a GTL Financial Services is wholly owned by Global Tel*Link Corporation d/b/a ViaPath Technologies.

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What Services Are Available At My Facility?

Select your facility below, available services:.

• Phone & Voicemail
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• Tablets Your inmate has access to tablets. Make a deposit to their account so they have more ways to be productive, and you have more ways to stay connected.
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What is Telmate Verified?

If you are asked to be Telmate Verified it means your facility requires verification of your identity prior to acceptance of inmates' calls. The purpose of verification is to ensure inmates are not connecting with inappropriate people on the outside. The verification process is simple and can be completed before or after creating an account.

To be verified, you can make a deposit , schedule a visit or download and complete the Telmate Verified form .

Hey Mobile Users – Stay Connected in Real Time!

Send messages, make deposits, and share photos with our FREE Android and iPhone mobile apps.

No matter where you are, our mobile apps help you stay connected with an incarcerated loved one or friend. Send messages, uploads photos, and make deposits on the go!

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Our staff will not be in the office for their safety - please email all communication requests to [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Latah County Jail Visitation Center

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General Facility Information

Visitation table of contents.

• What time can I visit my inmate at Latah County Jail?
• What can I expect when visiting.
• Are the visitation rules different depending on the type prison that Latah County Jail is?
• Can I bring my inmate anything in the visiting room?
• Can I request longer visitations with the facility?
• Where can I get a visitation application for Latah County Jail? - Click to download.
• What are some of the do’s and don’ts of visitation?
• Visiting an Inmate - 10 easy steps you should know.
• First time in prison?
• A day in the life of a prisoner.
• How to quickly locate your transferred inmate?
• Visiting day at a prison - Things you should be aware of.

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Visitation Hours

The county jail provides on-site and online visitation options to help inmates maintain contact with family and friends..

On-Site Visitation Hours

• Monday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
• Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Friday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• Sunday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• Holidays - call for available times and reserve yours as these days are the busiest times of the year

Visitors must follow the dress code and behavior guidelines whether they are visiting here or from their computer/smartphone. Violations may result in the termination of the visit.

Online Video Visitation Online visits can be scheduled in advance, allowing remote connection from home or work. Visitors must set up an account and adhere to dress and behavior guidelines. Visits cost a minimum of $0.25 per minute and are monitored for security.

General Information Visitation hours and policies are subject to change. Call the facility at 208-882-2216 for updates. For more information and to set up an online visitation account.

General Visitation Information

Visiting inmates at latah county jail.

All Visitors are subject to search once inside the facility.

The public may visit no more than one time per week, Monday through Saturday at this Moscow ID location. Visitors must sign inat least 15 minutes before their scheduled visits. If you schedule a visit and don't show up or show up late, you will not be allowed to visit the rest of that week, including Saturday. If a visit on Saturday is scheduled, and the visitor does not show up or shows up late, they will not be allowed to visit until the following Saturday. Repeated late arrival or no-show violations may result in longer suspension of visiting privileges. Inmates are allowed no more than one (1) visit per day. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, unless they are visiting a parent. Unaccompanied minors (under age 18) visiting a parent must present a copy of their birth certificate. Children must remain with the parent at all times during the visit. All visitors must have acceptable identification. This includes a drivers license with picture identification, military ID, or other verifiable picture ID. Three (3) pieces of non-picture ID may substitute for picture ID.

No mail or messages for inmates will be accepted. Mail must go through the U.S. Mail. Visitors may only visit the inmate they have signed up to visit. Any visitor who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to visit. Inappropriate behavior, including the use of profanity, will not be permitted. No weapons will be permitted. All other items listed in the jail lobby are prohibited. There is a maximum of four (4) visitors per booth, including children, and the door must remain closed.

All visitors must wear appropriate clothing, including shoes and shirts. Restrictions on attire or appearance include: No miniskirts or similar attire; no low-cut or revealing necklines; no attire with obscene or offensive language; and no persons with a bare midriff will be permitted to visit. Visitors cannot bring items into the visiting area including weapons of any kind, purses, handbags, backpacks, diaper bags, food, drink, gum, baby bottles, pictures, books, toys, writing utensils, strollers or carriers, cell phones, cameras, or any other electronic devices.

Violation of the above restrictions may cause the visit to be cancelled or terminated, and visiting privileges may be suspended by the Latah Sheriffs Department . The on-duty supervisor may cancel visits without notice due to circumstances within the jail.

Visitation Rules

County - Rules by type

The Latah County Jail, located in Moscow, ID, plays a crucial role in facilitating successful offender reintegration into the community, a cornerstone of effective crime control strategies. With a focus on rehabilitation and community engagement, the center aims to support individuals as they transition from incarceration back into society. However, this process is governed by a multitude of rules and regulations that visitors must adhere to, ensuring the safety and security of all involved parties.

Visitors to the prison must navigate a complex set of guidelines regarding identification, conduct, and the items they can bring during visits. These rules are in place to maintain order within the facility and to protect both visitors and inmates. For example, visitors are required to present proper forms of identification upon arrival, such as a driver's license or government-issued ID card. This helps to verify their identity and ensure that they are authorized to visit the inmate.

Furthermore, visitors must adhere to strict rules regarding their conduct while inside the facility. Disruptive behavior, the use of loud or obscene language, or engaging in any form of sexual behavior can result in the termination of the visit and may lead to further consequences. Additionally, visitors are prohibited from bringing certain items into the visiting room, including cell phones, cameras, and weapons. These restrictions help to maintain the safety and security of the facility and prevent any unauthorized items from entering the prison.

In addition to these general rules, there are specific guidelines that visitors must follow depending on their circumstances. For example, visitors with children must ensure that they are supervised at all times and that they do not engage in any inappropriate behavior while inside the facility. Likewise, visitors who require medication during their visit must inform the visiting room officer upon arrival and follow the appropriate procedures to ensure that their medication is properly stored and administered.

Another important aspect of visiting a prison is understanding the limitations and restrictions that may apply to certain individuals. For example, individuals who have previously been incarcerated, are currently under probation or parole supervision, or are victims of the inmate are typically not permitted to visit. Likewise, individuals who have had their visiting privileges suspended or who have an active protection from abuse (PFA) order against them are also prohibited from visiting the inmate.

Despite these restrictions, there are procedures in place for individuals who wish to visit an inmate but are not permitted under normal circumstances. Inmates can initiate a request to have a prohibited visitor added to their visiting list, and a recommendation from the inmate's unit team may allow the visitor to be approved by the facility manager or designee. However, reinstatement of visiting privileges is not guaranteed, and individuals whose visiting privileges have been suspended must write to the appropriate facility manager seeking reinstatement.

Upon arrival at the prison, visitors are subject to a thorough screening process to ensure that they do not bring any contraband into the facility. This includes a search of their person, their belongings, and their vehicle. Visitors must also pass through a metal detector and may be subject to additional screening measures, such as drug screenings conducted by dogs or special devices. Failure to pass these screenings can result in the denial of the visit and may lead to further consequences.

Once inside the visiting room, visitors must continue to adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the prison. This includes refraining from conversing with other inmates or their guests, as well as following any specific instructions given by the visiting room officers. Visitors are also responsible for keeping control of their children and ensuring that they do not engage in any disruptive behavior.

In addition to these general guidelines, there are specific rules that visitors must follow depending on their circumstances. For example, visitors with infants must adhere to guidelines regarding the types and amounts of baby items they can bring into the visiting room. Likewise, visitors who require medication during their visit must inform the visiting room officer upon arrival and follow the appropriate procedures to ensure that their medication is properly stored and administered.

Overall, visiting a prison requires careful adherence to a complex set of rules and regulations designed to maintain order and security within the facility. By understanding and following these guidelines, visitors can help to ensure a safe and positive experience for themselves, the inmates, and the staff.

Visitors must be appropriately dressed to include shirt and shoes.  Appropriate undergarments are required but should not be visible.  Clothing which unduly exposes the chest, stomach, or midriff is not allowed.  Prohibited garments include: halter or tube tops, transparent clothing, and any clothing with derogatory or offensive slogans/pictures. Visitation staff will determine attire appropriateness. Those not in compliance will be asked to change or leave the visitation center.

Visitor Customer Service

Available 8AM - 6PM EST Monday - Friday, 9AM - 6PM EST Saturday - Sunday

Visitor Support: (855) 208-7349

We are now visiting via tablets! The new website is GETTINGOUT.COM. 

Note: At this time, inmate initiated (outgoing) visits can only be completed on a visitor's smart device. Friends and Family will need to set up an account at Gettingout.com.

The process includes a confirmed email address and phone number. Also download the Getting Out Visits APP for Video Visits on a smart device. Both email and phone number go through a verification process.

After verified the Friend and Family you will need to add the inmate to their contacts list. Video Visits will only connect with inmates on the Visitor's contacts list. Visitors must first download the GTL Friends and Family Visit Now app (Getting Out Visits app) to their smart device or go to gettingout.com on any modern browser before they can accept a Visit Now visit.

Note: The inmate can only have a Visit Now visit with Visitors on their contacts list. Note: The inmate must be an accepted contact of the visitor.

A quick reference guide has been posted on TEAMHCSO.COM under Video Visitation. Go to the Jails tab, then Inmate Services tab, and then click on Video Visitation. Scroll to the bottom for Visitation Files and click on ON-DEMAND VISITATION.

  Quick Reference Guide

Schedule visits from your Android Phone or Tablet

If you have an Android device, you can now use GTL VisMobile to register online, schedule visits, and manage your visitor group. Download here , or search "GTL Vismobile" in Google Play . 

However, all visits must be completed on a laptop or desktop computer. Visitation software will not allow internet visits to be completed on a smartphone or tablet.

-Attention Visitors-

Visitors should only have ONE account per person. If you already have an account or have already visited but do not have an email address entered, please stop by the visitation center to get that taken care of so you can log on and schedule visits.

PLEASE NOTE:  On Monday, August 5, this site will no longer be used to schedule visitation. Visitors will be required to use the gettingout.com site for all personal visits. Please visit our teamhcso.com site under JAILS - INMATE SERVICES - VIDEO VISITATION for additional information and guides to assist with creating a new account and scheduling visits. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

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Latah County, Idaho

The Latah County Jail is an adult male and female holding facility that was built in 1972. The jail is designed to hold adults being charged with a crime while awaiting trial, and those adults sentenced to local jail time or awaiting transport to the Idaho Department of Corrections. We also hold for other forms of due process. We house adult prisoners for the Idaho State Police, Moscow Police Department, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Prisons, Idaho Department of Corrections, other various counties and our own agency. The jail has a maximum holding capacity of 38 individuals. The jail is staffed by 1 Captain, 2 Sergeants, 2 Corporals, 1 Bailiff and 7 Deputies working 2 different shifts. The jail admits new bookings and releases inmates twenty-four hours a day. The Jail Staff dispenses medication, feeds inmates, delivers and receives individuals from court and transports inmates to different agencies. They also provide housed inmates access to the library, recreation yard, attorneys, clergy, and special programs. Security checks, as well as inmates needing work/ school / treatment release are also completed throughout the entire day. Programs and Services Inmates are allowed one hour per day in either location or a combination of both. Both the library and recreation yard are constantly monitored. The library contains a complete set of Idaho Code books and Federal Code books for legal research. The jail offers special programs to inmates to include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, church services and a G.E.D program. Inmates have access to telephones and a tablet within their housing assignments as well as the library. Inmates can order extra food and toiletries from a commissary provider. You can put money on an inmate’s phone or commissary account by visiting http://www.gettingout.com, by calling 1-866-516-0115, or by using a facility kiosk in the lobby of the Latah County Sheriff’s Office. Medical Staff come into the jail twice a week for inmate sick call and they handle the majority of the cases. Those cases that require a specialists such as Dental, Eye Exams Lab Work, x-ray’s or any other procedure that cannot be done in the facility are brought to a local Provider in the area. Visitation Information Visiting is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Visits are 20 minutes long. Visiting hours are: Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:00 PM Saturday from 8:00 to 10:30 AM and 12:30 to 16:30 PM Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM Adults must bring picture ID to visit an inmate. Juveniles must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. All visits are in a special visiting room and are non-contact. Visitors must be 18 years of age or accompanied by their parent or legal guardian and must not have been incarcerated within the last 30 days. If you are on probation, you must have prior approval through your probation officer. Everyone visiting must have a valid picture ID.

Department Contact Information

Additional information.

Watch CBS News

Boyfriend of L.A. ballerina Ksenia Karelina, sentenced to prison in Russia, "begging American people to help"

By Analisa Novak

Updated on: August 15, 2024 / 12:15 PM EDT / CBS News

As Russian-American Ksenia Karelina prepares to appeal her 12-year sentence in a Russian penal colony after pleading guilty Thursday to treason, her boyfriend, Chris Van Heerden, is grappling with the harsh reality of her situation. 

"How did I end up here? How did Ksenia end up here?" he reacted to Thursday's sentencing during an exclusive interview with "CBS Mornings" co-anchor Gayle King.

Russia sentences Karelina for treason

Karelina was sentenced after pleading guilty earlier this month to treason.  She was arrested  earlier this year while on a trip to Russia for donating about $51 to an American-based humanitarian group helping Ukrainians suffering in the war, according to Russian state media.

Her lawyers said she acknowledged transferring the funds, though she did not admit to intentionally directing them to organizations that might have used the money for actions against Russia. She didn't expect that her donation would end up supporting anti-Russian activities.

According to Van Heerden, the donation she made to Ukraine in 2022, which was legal under U.S. law, was later used as evidence to charge her with treason under a law Russia passed in 2023. 

She was "exercising her First Amendment rights. She has done nothing wrong," he said. 

"She wanted to go home"

Van Heerden said he was uneasy about Karelina's decision to return to Russia this year, given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine . But he said she "had no worry in the world," assuring him it would be safe since she was entering the country as a dual American-Russian citizen. 

"She wanted to go home. She made it very clear that she wanted to go home," Van Heerden told King.

Ksenia was confident there was no danger, especially since she didn't follow the news closely, and Van Heerden admitted he didn't either. Wanting to fulfill her wish to visit home, he bought her a plane ticket as a birthday gift in December. The pair traveled to Istanbul for New Year's. He was going to travel with her to Russia from there, but he didn't feel comfortable. So, she traveled alone to Russia and he returned home to Los Angeles.

The trouble began, Van Heerden said, when Karelina arrived in Russia. He said she was detained at the airport and questioned for 12 to 16 hours. 

Van Heerden is trying to understand how the Russian authorities knew about Karelina's donation. He recalled a strange interaction at the airport in Istanbul when Karelina was preparing to fly to Russia. A Russian airline employee double-checked her details and asked if she was traveling with another passport, which made the situation seem suspicious. 

After Karelina confirmed she was also an American citizen, they allowed her to board the flight, but upon her arrival in Russia, she was detained, questioned and later arrested.

Van Heerden said he was struggling to keep his emotions in check as he struggles with the injustice of the situation.

"Why are we in this position?" asked Van Heerden, adding that "Ksenia should be home and I'm angry."

Pleading U.S. to help bring Karelina home

Regarding the U.S. State Department's involvement, Van Heerden said he has not heard much from the entity and has had limited access to Karelina in the eight months she has been detained. He questioned why she was not involved in this month's prisoner swap when three Americans — including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich , former Marine  Paul Whelan and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva  — were released by Russia.

"I was pushing for the last eight months, I was pushing for a wrongful detention so that when we do have a prison swap, that Ksenais on that list and made, made a priority," he said. "I was slowed down. I was told we have time. I was told, 'Chris, don't worry.' There will be no prison swap until after the election or maybe early next year. So we have time and I was pushing, but I was pushed back. Guess what? There was a prison swap two weeks ago. And Ksenia was not on that list."

Van Heerden said he is able to communicate with Karelina through letters, though he knows they're being monitored by Russian authorities. Over the past eight months, they've exchanged letters about twice a month. He said he believes Karelina's situation is unwarranted and questioned why she has not yet been officially designated as wrongfully detained, given her 12-year sentence. 

Now, he is calling on the American public to support efforts to secure her return.

"I'm not a begging man, but I'm begging the American people to help me get Ksenia back," he said. 

Analisa Novak is a content producer for CBS News and the Emmy Award-winning "CBS Mornings." Based in Chicago, she specializes in covering live events and exclusive interviews for the show. Analisa is a United States Army veteran and holds a master's degree in strategic communication from Quinnipiac University.

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‘J6 praying grandma’ avoids prison time and gets 6 months home confinement in Capitol riot case

The Associated Press

August 12, 2024, 9:30 PM

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A Colorado bed-and-breakfast operator who promotes herself online as the “J6 praying grandma” was sentenced on Monday to six months of home confinement in her Capitol riot case after the judge railed against “offensive” comments she has made about the criminal justice system.

Prosecutors had sought 10 months behind bars for Rebecca Lavrenz, 72, whose misdemeanor case has become a cause célèbre among conservatives critical of the Justice Department’s Jan. 6 prosecutions . Prosecutors accused her of “profiting off the celebrity of her conviction” with an slew of media appearances questioning the integrity of the court system and the jurors who convicted her.

Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui told Lavrenz that while hers is among the less serious Jan. 6 cases, “it’s still a grave offense.” Raising his voice at times, the judge sounded incredulous as he pressed her lawyers about her media comments denouncing the Jan. 6 prosecutions as “fake trials” and D.C. jurors as biased.

“That does nothing but reduce public confidence people have in the system,” Faruqui said.

Faruqui told Lavrenz he didn’t think sending her to jail “was going to help.” But he fined her $103,000, saying he needed to send a message that defendants cannot profit off their “egregious conduct.” He sentenced her to one year of probation, with the first six months in home confinement. During her home confinement, the judge ordered her to stay off the internet.

Lavrenz has been embraced by former President Donald Trump, who has made attacking the Jan. 6 prosecutions a central piece of his campaign to return to the White House. After her conviction in April on misdemeanor charges, Trump said on social media that she was “unfairly targeted” by the Justice Department and shared a link to a website where people can donate money to her legal fund.

Before receiving her sentence, Lavrenz told the judge she went to the Capitol “out of obedience to God.”

“This whole situation is not just about me, it is about the people of the United States of America,” Lavrenz said.

Her attorneys asked for a sentence of probation with no prison time, noting that Lavrenz did not participate in any violence or destruction of property at the Capitol. In court papers, the defense accused prosecutors of trying to stifle her free speech.

“Outrageously, the government seeks to imprison this peaceful, nonviolent, elderly, retired, first-time offender for months in jail merely because Lavrenz has been forthright in informing her fellow Americans about the criminal justice system for January 6 defendants,” attorney John Pierce wrote.

Pierce said after the sentencing that they are pleased she got no jail time, but will be appealing her conviction. He said they believe the fine imposed by the judge to be “one of the largest in history for a misdemeanor case.”

Lavrenz, of Peyton, Colorado, has used a crowdfunding website to raise over $230,000, much of which she received after her trial conviction this year, prosecutors said. Like many other Capitol riot defendants, Lavrenz has used the GiveSendGo crowdfunding website to raise money from supporters.

Lavrenz has used some of the donated money to embark on a cross-country speaking tour, during which she has defended the mob’s attack and lied about her own conduct, prosecutors said. Her attorneys said she has spent over $120,000 on legal fees, a $95,000 retainer for an appeal and $9,000 in court-related travel and hotel expenses.

Lavrenz watched other rioters breach bicycle rack barricades and overrun a police line on the Capitol’s Rotunda steps, prosecutors said. She chanted, “It’s our house, you can’t take our house,” before entering the building, and she spent approximately 10 minutes inside the Capitol, prosecutors said.

At her trial, she testified that she walked down a hallway inside the Capitol because she was looking for members of Congress, prosecutors said. Prosecutor Terence Parker told the judge that there’s “no question” that she wanted to stop the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory.

“She has all but promised to do it all over again,” Parker said.

More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot. Over 900 of them have been convicted and sentenced, with roughly two-thirds receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from a few days to 22 years. Hundreds of people, like Lavrenz, who did not engage in violence or destruction were charged only with misdemeanor offenses.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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San Jose tiny homes could house jail diversion program for people battling mental illness

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Tiny homes may soon house individuals who are in a jail diversion program, but some residents feel blindsided by the news.

SCC is eyeing the purchase of two interim housing sites in San Jose.

They are the tiny homes location off Monterey Road and Bernal and the Vermont House which are two city owned properties.

RESOURCES: Get help with mental health issues

The news of how the sites would change caught residents like Issa Ajlouny off guard. Ajlouny is the president of the group S.A.F.E.R San Jose.

"And then we find out they're talking about a jail diversion program and we're like shocked," Ajlouny said.

MORE: The push to promote shelters, prohibit illegal unhoused encampments in Bay Area communities

Ajlouny said he and some of his neighbors were invited to a virtual "Meet and Greet" by the county on Thursday night.

But when they got on the call, they learned about the county's intentions to refocus the transitional housing sites into a jail diversion program.

"The judge is going to put them here instead of in jail. Well that's probably a good program and good to have counseling, it could be a really good thing, but c'mon, us?" Ajlouny said.

If, or when the county takes ownership of the sites, the county says that they will continue to serve unhoused people but will focus on those who have agreed to participate in the jail diversion program.

MORE: Will Prop. 1 help solve CA homelessness? Experts weigh in on $6B bond for mental health facilities

On Friday, the county sent ABC7 information on who exactly could live at these sites.

"These include people involved in one of the Collaborative Courts (problem-solving courts), people with an underlying problem that leads to criminalized behavior, and people with mental illness, substance use disorders, or both.

People's mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders are often a significant reason they become involved in the justice system and can improve when they have stable housing."

-County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department."

ABC7 spoke with Mayor Matt Mahan on Friday.

"People have valid questions and lets be honest- many of the people living on our streets today and experiencing homelessness have serious challenges," Mahan said.

The mayor said this allows the city to focus on building.

"By shifting those operations over to our partners at the count, we free up the city to continue to focus on the land use site of this and building more transitional housing, and building more affordable housing. Where we have an area of expertise, our expertise is not providing the services we contract nonprofits to do it but counties really are the health and human services safety net," Mahan said.

Mahan said we're better off as a community when people get into safe and managed environments with services.

"What we're seeing in the data which is really heartening, is that we actually see that the neighborhoods that have these sites, that are able to move people off the streets and indoors and connect them to services, actually see a reduction in calls for services for crime and plite," Mahan said.

MORE: Medical professionals trying to meet health needs of San Francisco's unhoused

The city was scheduled to vote on final approval of the sale on August 27, but as of Friday, the item was removed from the agenda and will be deferred to a later date.

Ajlouny emphasizes the current residents at the temporary housing sites have not been an issue.

"My big thing is I need to understand what the details are what's going on? So we can make a decision and mitigate our challenges," Ajlouny said.

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When texas jail standards push inmates to lockups in other states, oversight doesn’t follow.

Texas Tribune

By Pooja Salhotra

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HOUSTON — The Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home wouldn’t open for hours, so Sarah Knight sat in the parking lot with one thought consuming her: The body inside was not her son’s.

Nothing about the 1 a.m. phone call from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office made sense. Jaleen Anderson was still awaiting his day in court on a felony drug possession charge when he was shipped to a Louisiana prison because Harris County Jail didn’t have room for him. And then for the healthy 29-year-old to just suddenly die behind bars? That was even harder to comprehend.

But when the Louisiana coroner and funeral home director unzipped the body bag, Knight’s worst fear became real.

“I asked God to bring him back to me,” she said, recounting the moment she saw her son’s body in the Jena, Louisiana funeral home 268 miles from their home in Houston’s Kashmere Gardens. “I said, ‘This was an untimely death. He had no business dying at this age.’”

On April 3, Anderson was among hundreds of Texans accused of crimes — and still legally presumed innocent — sitting behind bars in other states. As an increasing number of Texas jails face overcrowding and understaffing , more and more people with criminal charges are being shuffled to other lock-ups while they await the resolution of their cases.

And while state jail standards meant to protect people awaiting trial partially led Harris County to ship Anderson to LaSalle Correctional Center, Texas jail officials’ oversight of conditions inside lock-ups doesn’t cross state lines.

In the months since Anderson’s death, his mother has been on two missions. First, Knight has pushed Louisiana officials and leaders at the prison where Anderson died for answers about whether her son got the medical attention he needed after he began having seizures. And at public meetings from Houston to Austin, she’s implored county officials and state leaders to stop shipping Texans defending themselves against criminal charges to out-of-state lockups.

So far, she’s made little headway.

“What are you going to do to prevent this from happening again?” Knight asked state leaders during an August public meeting. “Jaleen is not the first person that has lost his life and if you all don’t stop sending our loved ones to these facilities, he will not be the last.”

LaSalle Correctional Center warden John Stuckey, when reached by phone, declined to answer questions about Anderson and directed questions to a spokesperson. The company did not respond to a list of written questions.

A Harris County spokesperson said the investigation into Anderson’s death is ongoing, the autopsy is not complete and the medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death.

Louisiana’s jail standards are considerably weaker than Texas’. A 2023 report that Louisiana officials requested found there is no oversight mechanism for the state’s minimum jail standards, which lack detail and aren’t regularly updated. Louisiana does not require facilities to report deaths in custody to the state’s attorney general, unlike in Texas. The report provided recommendations for new policies, including requiring an independent investigation of deaths-in-custody and an assessment of the quality of medical care provided to inmates who die. But the lawmakers there so far have not enacted them.

During the recent meeting where Knight testified, Duane Lock, one of nine people Gov. Greg Abbott appointed to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, criticized the fact that Texas officials have no explicit oversight of out-of-state facilities, even when the state’s criminal defendants are sent there.

A t-shirt showing the face of Jaleen Anderson. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

“Is this something that needs to be moved to the Legislature?” Lock said. “Because I have some fundamental concerns about someone who, through no fault of their own, might end up in the hands of someone who might mistreat them.”

For years, LaSalle Corrections has been under fire for claims of medical neglect. More than 100 lawsuits have been filed against the Louisiana company saying that it did not provide adequate medical care, Truthout reported in 2022.

Last year, LaSalle Corrections agreed to pay a $7 million legal settlement after a Texas woman died in a Texarkana jail while it was operated by LaSalle. The federal lawsuit said that corrections staff ignored the woman’s worsening health and took her to the hospital when it was too late.

Harris County’s contract with LaSalle states that the private facility must adhere to Louisiana’s “best practices,” but the private facility is not required to meet Texas’ minimum jail standards.

“There aren’t a lot of five-star rated jails out there,” said Jason Spencer, chief of staff at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. “I don’t think you’ll find a jail that people will say, ‘Yeah, that’s a great one.’ It’s not a place people want to be. But if there were significant red flags, that’s obviously something we’ll have to look at.”

A young man with a plan

Jaleen Anderson enjoyed boxing and performing back flips. And despite his short stature, he could dunk a basketball. He worked in warehouses and on assembly lines, and he looked forward to returning to work on his release from jail.

In October 2023, he was arrested and charged with a second-degree felony for possession of 9.2 grams of methamphetamine. Knight paid a bail bond company to keep him out of jail. But then he was re-arrested in March 2024 for possessing an unspecified amount between 4 and 200 grams of methamphetamine. This time, a judge denied Anderson bail.

Knight isn’t convinced the drugs were Anderson’s the first time he was arrested. The second time, she suspects he was selling narcotics to support his family because the first arrest made it difficult for him to find a job.

While in Harris County Jail, Anderson decided he never wanted to be locked up again, family members said. He talked about getting a job as a food delivery driver or becoming a barber like his dad. His previous jobs had only paid him about $2,300 a month, an affidavit states. He wanted to increase his earnings to support his kids, and the one that would be born in October.

Jaleen Anderson's daughters, Paris and Aminah, play at their grandmother's house in Houston. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

“He wasn’t a young man without a plan,” Knight said.

On March 22, Knight was surprised she hadn’t received a phone or video call from her son in the Harris County Jail. She usually heard from him every day. When she called the jail, she was shocked to learn Anderson was on the way to Louisiana.

Neither Anderson’s family members nor his court-appointed attorney were told he would be moved. Anderson had no say in the matter.

The next day, Knight spoke with him after he’d arrived at LaSalle.

Anderson’s next court date was scheduled for April 23. He looked forward to the hearing because he hoped to get out of jail on probation and move forward with his life.

Instead, Anderson was pronounced dead at 8:59 p.m. on April 3 at the Hardtner Medical Center Emergency Room. That hospital sits less than a mile from LaSalle Correctional Center, the northeast Louisiana facility that houses up to 650 Harris County jail inmates.

When Anderson had arrived at the hospital, his heart was no longer beating. Doctors tried to revive him. They performed CPR, intubated him, and administered epinephrine three separate times. For a moment, he had a pulse again. But it quickly disappeared. Code was called: cardiac arrest.

Before transferring him to LaSalle, health staff at Harris County Jail reviewed Anderson’s medical record and found that he didn’t have any significant medical conditions or needs, according to a spokesperson.

But in LaSalle, Anderson experienced multiple seizures, according to medical records his family shared with The Texas Tribune. After experiencing two seizures, Anderson was moved from the general population to a one-person cell, where corrections officers could more closely watch him and respond to a medical emergency, Anderson’s family members said. The next day — the day of his death — Anderson was seen for a neurological assessment at the prison, records state. The results of the assessment were not provided. Anderson suffered four more seizures, including one that lasted at least 10 minutes.

Harris County’s contract with LaSalle stipulates that the Louisiana prison must have on-site medical and health care coverage available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Health care providers must be CPR certified, and the facility has to have external defibrillators, devices that can be used to treat a person whose heart has stopped working.

Sarah Knight, center, looks for birthday decorations at a store to celebrate what would have been her son’s 30th birthday. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

Following reports of assaults against inmates at out-of-state facilities, Harris County sent compliance teams to inspect LaSalle as well as the Mississippi jail that houses Harris County inmates, Chief Deputy Mike Lee said at a Feb. public meeting. Based on an inspection report, LaSalle’s health clinic is “well-equipped.”

Still, it isn’t clear if medical personnel at LaSalle intervened while Anderson experienced seizures.

“After the second seizure, don’t you think they should have called EMS?” said Harold Anderson Jr., Anderson’s father. “They gave up and just let my son die.”

A mother seeks answers as jail deaths rise

Knight immigrated from Mexico City in 1982, when she was 8 years old. She started a church in her neighborhood in northeast Houston and serves as the pastor there. Her voice is naturally strong, her tone firm.

Just weeks after her son died — and on the same day he had been slated to appear before a judge on his criminal charges — Knight stood before the Harris County Commissioners Court. Her voice trembled as she described her pain and the little she had gathered about Anderson’s death.

Commissioners offered condolences and promised to get her answers about Anderson’s death.

“I really don’t think we should be OK with these deaths,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, a Democrat who presides over the commissioners court. “Committing a crime pretrial is not a death sentence.”

Minutes later, commissioners agreed to spend another $3.1 million to send the county’s jailed defendants to LaSalle.

Knight said it was a slap in the face.

“I want to see that place bulldozed,” she later told The Texas Tribune in an interview. “The only thing that will give me peace is that this facility closes down.”

Raven Hall, right, shows Aminah Anderson, left, where her father’s name will be engraved on a tombstone at Paradise Funeral Home and Cemetery North. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

Jail deaths occur everywhere, not just in private facilities like LaSalle. And they are on the rise. Nationally, the 2019 jail mortality rate was 167 deaths per 100,000 inmates, an 11% increase since 2000, a federal report found.

This year alone, jail inmates have died in both rural and urban Texas counties, including Tarrant, Harris, and Bexar. On June 10, U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey , D-Fort Worth, sent a letter to the Department of Justice urging them to launch an investigation into the “distressing pattern of inmate deaths and jail incidents” at Fort Worth’s Tarrant County Jail.

Families of nine people who died in Harris County Jail are suing local officials there. The FBI is also conducting a civil rights investigation over deaths in the Harris County Jail.

Harris County has been sending inmates to Louisiana off and on since at least 2008 and now spends upwards of $50 million a year on outsourcing. The vast majority of its inmates are awaiting trial and are legally presumed innocent.

Texas law requires the reporting and investigation of deaths of people in jails or prisons within the state. Those requirements do not apply to inmates who die out-of-state.

“We have no oversight once a county makes a contract with another state,” said Ricky Armstrong, TCJS’ assistant director. “It’s up to that state to follow the rules.”

That makes it difficult for anyone to uncover what goes on in facilities across state lines. In 2022, Harris County inmate Billie Davis died while at LaSalle Correctional Center — the same place where Anderson was sent. It wasn’t until a year had passed that jail advocates finally managed to track down a coroner’s report from Louisiana and found that Davis’ death was ruled a homicide . That death is not counted in a Texas attorney general database that would have included it if Davis died in a lockup within the state.

The TCJS also does not count out-of-state deaths in their jail deaths database, said Krish Gundu, co-founder of the Texas Jail Project, which advocates for jail inmates. For three years, Gundu says, she has been trying to convince the commission to name out-of-state jail deaths on their monthly report.

“I have an email thread asking to count this man, count this man, count this man,” said Gundu who also sits on the commission’s administrative rules advisory committee, which discussed the issue at a meeting last week.

Commissioner Lock, one of the state jail commissioners, asked counties this month to exhaust all possible options before they start sending people out of state, a practice Harris County said they are already following. Lock also wants the number of Texas inmates sent out of state to drop by November.

The family of Jaleen Anderson sits around his gravesite to celebrate what would have been his 30th birthday on May 13, 2024 in Houston at the Paradise Funeral Home and Cemetery North. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

Neither of those things will do much for Knight or her quest to understand what happened to her son.

Less than two weeks after Harris County officials increased the amount it pays LaSalle to house their inmates, Knight visited the Texas capitol to testify before TCJS commissioners, where she demanded accountability.

“I am here to seek justice and I need answers,” Knight said. “I am demanding surveillance footage from the last three days of his life.” Knight has yet to receive the footage or the autopsy report.

“He died by himself,” Knight continued as tears rolled down her face. “His mother and father could not hold his hand. No one called me … I need peace.”

Anderson’s gravesite birthday

On May 13, the day Anderson would have turned 30, Knight rounded up her Houston family to celebrate his birthday at his gravesite. His children, nieces and nephews made a birthday card out of large construction paper. They wrote notes in purple marker about how much they’d miss their father and uncle.

At one point, a deluge of rain came down. But Knight had come prepared with a tent. A natural matriarch, Knight continued with her agenda, laying a spread of sandwiches, chips and drinks.

She called upon each person to say a kind word about Anderson.

“He didn’t have a hateful bone in his body,” said Roy Lewis, Knight’s partner.

“He protected all of us,” said Fabian Callis, Anderson’s older brother.

Nielly, center, and Paris, left, Anderson, sit with other family members during a birthday celebration at the gravesite of their father, Jaleen Anderson, who died while being held in LaSalle Correctional Facility in Louisiana. Credit: Danielle Villasana for The Texas Tribune

Knight then led the family in a round of Happy Birthday and vowed to keep fighting for answers.

“We will continue to seek justice for you and for others who went through what you went through,” Knight said. “My son is a vessel, and he is here to teach people a lesson.”

The full program is now LIVE for the 2024 Texas Tribune Festival , happening Sept. 5–7 in downtown Austin. Explore the program featuring more than 100 unforgettable conversations on topics covering education, the economy, Texas and national politics, criminal justice, the border, the 2024 elections and so much more. See the full program.

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