Having a loved one in jail can be a heartbreaking situation. While there are a number of ways you can communicate with an inmate, strict regulations can make contacting an inmate somewhat difficult. Sometimes you can stop by for a personal visit if he or she is booked in a local prison. Other times, in situations where distance is an issue (like being out-of-state), writing a letter or giving a phone call are alternative methods for communicating with your loved one.
How To Contact An Inmate
You can contact a prisoner in several different ways, ranging from personal visits to writing a letter.
1. Go to the jail website
Visiting the jail or prison website can provide you with helpful information and resources for contacting an inmate. Jails are used for inmates who are booked for less than a year or are awaiting trial. Prisons house inmates that are serving for more than a year.
2. Find the inmate’s booking number
Finding an inmates booking number can help you when sending a letter or requesting a visitation. You can look up an inmate’s booking number by using this Inmate Lookup Tool (for Utah) or by visiting the jail or prison website and searching through the directory.
3. Communicating with an inmate
Writing a letter
In many circumstances, an inmate will need to request for you to be on their contact list. Once an approval has been made, mail can be delivered to them. However, it’s important not to send confidential information, since all incoming and outgoing mail is usually subject to search and inspection jail staff. Items that may seem permitted could actually be prohibited including treats, money, greeting cards, or books. It’s important to check with the prison facility to determine what is and isn’t acceptable.
Personal Visit
Once an approval process has been made, you can also visit an inmate on visitation day. The jail or prison website will typically post scheduling times for inmate visitation periods for you to use. When visiting an inmate, anything brought to give to the inmate must be inspected and approved by an officer before being brought in.
Calling
When communicating with an inmate via telephone, it’s important to note that you are unable to “call an inmate” but rather, he or she must call you during his or her allotted time at the phone. This is partly because inmates are on strict schedules. Sometimes they’re locked in their prison cell, other times they’re involved in rehabilitation programs or examinations. Because of limitations in availability, inmates need to make the outgoing call to you. For other reasons, calling an inmate simply isn’t allowed due to regulations.
Virtual visits?
Virtual visits are a form of computer-based video communication that is partly being embraced because it is less time consuming and requires fewer staff members to be available. Currently, only a fraction of the U.S. prison’s is currently using virtual visitations. Check out our article on Virtual Visits to Inmates for more information.
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In the unfortunate event you find you or a loved one in jail, give Sportsmans Bail Bonds a call for fast and reliable bail bonds. We are ready to serve you with over 20 years of trustworthy, confidential service in Utah bail bonds. Trustworthy, reliable, confidential. Our agents are available 24/7 to help you get back on track, even on holidays. When you work with Sportsmans, you get the best bail bond service in Utah. You can count on us.
All letters, cards, and other correspondence MUST be sent DIRECTLY to the inmate at the facility where they are housed. It is REQUIRED to have their Full Name, Date of Birth, Jail ID Number or Booking Number. You can find all this information on our Inmate Search page.
All mailed items MUST contain a return address from the sender.
HOUSING LOCATIONS
Travis County Jail (map)
500 W. 10th St.
Austin, TX 78701
Travis County Correctional Complex (map)
3614 Bill Price Rd.
Del Valle, TX 78617
Paperback books, magazines or newspapers may be received ONLY If mailed DIRECTLY from the publisher and/or distributing warehouse to the facility where they are housed and if the inmate has less than two books or two magazines.
Inmates are NOT allowed to possess more than two books and two magazines at a time. Books or magazines will be returned to the publisher if sent to inmates possessing more than the limit of two of each of these items.
ViaPath Technologies Phone Account
This service allows for the creation of a prepaid calling account, allowing you to manage how much you spend on incarcerated individual calling.
Ways to Pay
Online
Mobile App "Connect Network"
Automated Phone: For AdvancedPay 1-800-483-8314; For PIN Debit 1-855-706-2445
ViaPath Technologies Phone Account Customer Support: 1-877-650-4249
Inmate Calls to Attorney
We provide a free, local call to attorneys for the benefit of their incarcerated clients. Only one business telephone number is authorized for the call list. Calls are limited to 20 minutes each, are free of charge and are not recorded.
To have your client notified to call you, leave a message at the 512-854-4666. Please have the client's booking number, full name, and date of birth.