MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution Remote Inmate Video Visits

MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

Address:
MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution
1153 East Street, South
Suffield, CT 06080
Phone:
860-627-2100

Schedule a Video Visit with an Inmate at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution is committed to keeping inmates connected to their families and friends. Strong family ties help inmates transition back into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending after release.

To support this, MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution provides (or will soon provide) remote video visitation. This allows inmates to connect with loved ones via video kiosks or tablets through a third-party service.

The advantages of video visits include:

• Boosts inmate happiness and well-being.
• Maintains inmates' connections with family and friends.
• Minimizes staff time required for visitation management.
• Provides a source of revenue for the jail.
• Prevents the spread of viruses.
• Limits contraband from entering during in-person visits.

For more details about video visitation, contact MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution at 860-627-2100, or scroll down for answers to frequently asked questions.

How to do Remote Visitation with an Inmate in the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

Connecticut State Department of Correction - Remote Inmate Video Visitation

Video Visitation is done using Microsoft Teams Group Chat Software. 

• In order to use Microsoft Teams you need to be registered and prepaid. While you can sign up for free, you get more benefits and it's easier to use with a paid version.
• Family and friends wishing to participate and receive a Video Visit may consult with their loved one.
• Next, your detained friend or family member will need to add your name to the visitation list and you will be contacted by a Department of Correction staff member to schedule a day and time for your visit.
• The following are the instructions and steps to have a video visit with your inmate after you have been added by your inmate, and you have opened your account with Microsoft Teams.
  1. Type www.skype.com in the search bar.
  2. Click 'sign in' in the upper right hand corner.
  3. Click 'New to Skype' Sign up - then 'NEXT'.
  4. Under 'Create Account', add your email address. - then 'NEXT'.
  5. Create a password, then click 'NEXT'.
  6. Enter your first and last name, then click 'NEXT'.
  7. Enter your Country/region, then your birthday, then click 'NEXT'.
  8. Download the SKYPE app to your chosen device, then ...
  9. Sign into SKYPE using your email and password you just registered under.

MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution Inmate Visitation Schedule

MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution
1153 East Street, South
Suffield, CT 06080
860-627-2100

• All potential visitors must complete the State of Connecticut - Department of Correction Visiting Request Form
• Video Visits must be pre-scheduled and a Visiting Request Form must be completed.
• In-Person Visits are not pre-scheduled at this time are on a first come, first serve basis.
• Visitors must be on the approved, active visiting list.
• You will receive a notification when your video visit is scheduled.

(SCROLL DOWN FOR VISITATION SCHEDULE)

RULES & GUIDELINES FOR VISITING AN INMATE

• Confirm the facility location of the inmate you would like to visit by using the inmate search tool.
• Valid, government issued photo ID is required.
• No cellphones or other electronic devices allowed into the visiting area.
• No more than two (2) visitors are allowed per visit to include children.
• On-site visits are at least 30 minutes, and up to 60 minutes.
• Visitors are required to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled on-site visit to check in.
• Video visits are 30-60 minutes.
• There are NO VISITS on major holidays.
• Clothing & Appearance must be reasonably modest. Revealing, seductive, or offensive clothing is not allowed.
• Video visits are free.
  A maximum of (3) authorized adult visitors may participate in the video visit and must be included on the Visit Request Form. Children don't count toward the number of visitors. 
• NOTE: ACTUAL VISITATION DAYS AND TIMES VARY FOR EACH INMATE - See Schedule for MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

VISITATION SCHEDULE - Go to this page to see times for Specific Inmates and Units for MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

860-627-2100

Connecticut State Department of Correction - Remote Inmate Video Visitation

Video Visitation is done using Microsoft Teams Group Chat Software. 

• In order to use Microsoft Teams you need to be registered and prepaid. While you can sign up for free, you get more benefits and it's easier to use with a paid version.
• Family and friends wishing to participate and receive a Video Visit may consult with their loved one.
• Next, your detained friend or family member will need to add your name to the visitation list and you will be contacted by a Department of Correction staff member to schedule a day and time for your visit.
• The following are the instructions and steps to have a video visit with your inmate after you have been added by your inmate, and you have opened your account with Microsoft Teams.
  1. Type www.skype.com in the search bar.
  2. Click 'sign in' in the upper right hand corner.
  3. Click 'New to Skype' Sign up - then 'NEXT'.
  4. Under 'Create Account', add your email address. - then 'NEXT'.
  5. Create a password, then click 'NEXT'.
  6. Enter your first and last name, then click 'NEXT'.
  7. Enter your Country/region, then your birthday, then click 'NEXT'.
  8. Download the SKYPE app to your chosen device, then ...
  9. Sign into SKYPE using your email and password you just registered under.

Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Video Visits

What is a video visit, and how do they work?

Who are the companies that facilitate video visits?

What is a video visit, and how do they work?

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 MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution 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.

Who are the companies that facilitate 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.