How do you visit someone in jail?

Question

I just found out my friend is in jail and I want to go visit him but I dont know how. I've never even been in a jail or anything. So do I just go in and tell them I wanna visit someone or what? Oh and do they search you or anything before you visit someone or anything? I know you gotta go threw a metal detector thing but I dont know about anything else. Help?

Answer 1

Contact the jail for information. That would be your best bet.

Answer 2

Give the jail a call. Tell them who you are, and who he is. They'll tell you if he has visitation rights. You can't go there anytime you want. There will be certain days and times. Depending on the jail, you might be talking to him with glass between you. Just like at the zoo.

And yes, you will most likely be searched before you get to the visitors area.

Answer 3

Visitation policy is determined by the jail, so it could be different for each one.

Most require the inmate to submit a list, you must be on the list to visit. They also have set hours, so the inmate has to submit the visitation request for each day.

Calling the jail will be the easiest way to find out what you need to do.  

Answer 4

I have visited someone in jail but it was several years ago (10). The person in jail had to put me on "his" list of visitors, per the jail officials so I had to wait for him to call me to tell him to put me on the list. I bet it all depends on the jail. I would certainly try calling them to find out their rules. And yes, I did get searched. As I recall, I had to leave my personal belonging at the front desk. Good Luck!

Answer 5

You need to A) See if they have visitation rights, and if they do, B) Go to the jail, fill out a visitation form so they can do a background check on you and things of this nature, and then the staff will either approve it or disapprove it. They do search through bags and coats.