Posted by: Media Relations

Sheriff Mike Boudreaux announces an exciting and innovative addition to our detention facilities. 

The week of Jan. 9, inmate visitation at the Tulare County Sheriff’s detention facilities will utilize video visitation. In California, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office is on the forefront of early adopters of this new approach to inmate visitation along with San Luis Obispo, Madera, Napa, Kings and Alameda counties.

Visitation at Tulare County jails will be expanded from once a week to seven days a week.

“With this new technology, inmates will be able to maintain closer ties to their families,” Sheriff Boudreaux said. “And that will increase their chances for success when they return to society.”

In the past, families could only visit inmates once a week at the Main Jail, Bob Wiley Detention Facility and the Men’s Correctional Facility. Soon, they can visit inmates housed at any of the detentions facilities, including the Adult-Pre-Trial facility, seven days a week through video visitation.

Easier for families 
With video visitation, families can visit inmates from the comforts of their own homes via web-based video or through an App on mobile devices. No longer do they have to drive to the jail to visit their loved ones. 

If they don’t have computer access, they may visit with inmates from a computer at a public library or come to the Sheriff’s Office in Visalia or the Bob Wiley Detention Facility and use a video visitation station.

Whole family gets involved
From home, a roomful of family members and friends can visit with an inmate through video visitation. 

Visit from out of state 
Family and friends can visit inmates from anywhere there’s internet service. For example, a beloved uncle in Las Vegas will be able to schedule a visit with a Tulare County inmate and never leave home.

“Families can be united no matter where they live,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.

Through web-based visitation, inmates can assist their children with their homework and be a part of birthday celebrations.

Online scheduling
Scheduling will be online at home or through scheduling kiosks in the lobbies at the Sheriff’s Office in Visalia, the Adult Pre-Trail Facility, the Bob Wiley Detention Facility and the Men’s Correctional Facility. Appointments must be made a day in advance and no more than a week in advance.

How it works
For on-site video visitation, each inmate is allowed one free hour per week. Beyond that, it costs $15 for 20 minutes. This fee helps pay the cost of the service. These visitations take place at on-site visitation stations located at the Sheriff’s Office in Visalia and the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.

For web-based video visitation, there is a $15 charge for each 20 minutes. During the first 30 days of the new system, web-based video visitation will be free for the inmate’s first hour of visitation during a 7-day period.