Cook County Department of Corrections, IL Video Visitation

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Cook County Department of Corrections

Address:
2700 South California
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone:
773-869-7100

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule a Video Visit with an Inmate at the Cook County Department of Corrections

Cook County Department of Corrections recognizes how important it is for inmates to remain connected with their families and friends. When inmates maintain strong family ties, it helps them reintegrate successfully after release and lowers the chances of reoffending.

Cook County Department of Corrections facilitates this connection by offering remote video visitation (or will soon). Through this service, loved ones can communicate with inmates using video kiosks or tablets provided by a third-party service.

Video visitation offers several benefits:

Improves inmate morale.
Keeps inmates in touch with their children, family, and friends.
Reduces the need for staff resources, saving the facility money.
Brings in additional revenue for the facility.
Prevents the spread of viruses.
Reduces the risk of contraband entering the facility.

For more details about video visitation, call the jail at 773-869-7100, or scroll down for more Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

Cook County Department of Corrections In-Person Inmate Visitation

Cook County Department of Corrections 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 Cook County Jail 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 Cook County Department of Corrections 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.