Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU, IL Video Visitation

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Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU

Address:
2700 S. California
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone:
773-674-7100

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule a Video Visit with an Inmate at the Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU

Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU 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, Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU 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 Cook County Jail - Division 8 RTU at 773-674-7100, or scroll down for answers to frequently asked questions.

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 Jail - Division 8 RTU 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.