The Vanderburgh County Jail is where people go after they’ve been arrested in Evansville, Indiana. For those on the inside, and for their families and friends on the outside, staying connected is critical. Communication provides emotional support and helps to ease the stress of incarceration.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide. It’s designed to give you a clear picture of all the ways you can communicate with someone at the Vanderburgh County Jail. We’ll cover phone calls, video visits, and even how to put money on their commissary account so they can buy things they need.
A lot of the communication at Vanderburgh County Jail goes through a platform called GettingOut. It handles phone calls, video visits, messaging, and more, so we’ll explain how that works too.
Phone calls and voicemail at Vanderburgh County Jail
The Vanderburgh County Jail uses an automated system called GettingOut for inmate phone calls. Here’s what you need to know about how it works:
Understanding the inmate phone system
- Inmates can’t receive incoming calls directly. They have to make outgoing calls.
- To receive calls from an inmate, you’ll have to verify your account. You can do this by creating a deposit account or a visitation account.
Managing calls and blocking numbers
Inmates can leave voicemails of up to three minutes long.
If you don’t want to receive calls from a particular inmate, you can block your phone number. Here’s how to do it:
- Log into your GettingOut account.
- Go to the “Blocked Numbers” section.
- Enter the phone number you want to block and follow the prompts.
Video Visits: Connecting Face-to-Face
The Vanderburgh County jail offers both onsite and remote video visits, so you can maintain connections with people on the inside.
Onsite Video Visits
The jail provides video terminals in the lobby where you can visit with an inmate. It’s a good idea to arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for your visit. You’ll want to make sure you’re following the dress code and haven’t brought any prohibited items into the building.
According to the jail’s website, you can visit with an inmate for free. As of this writing, the website states that each inmate gets two free 30-minute visits per week. However, this policy may have changed, so it’s a good idea to check with the jail directly for the most up-to-date information.
Remote Video Visits
Remote video visits let you connect with inmates from the comfort of your own home. You’ll need to schedule the visit in advance, and there may be a cost associated with remote visits. As of this writing, the jail website states that remote visits cost $9.90 for 30 minutes. However, this policy may have changed, so it’s a good idea to check with the jail directly for the most up-to-date information.
To participate in remote video visits, you’ll need to be Telmate Verified. If you’re an adult accompanying a minor on a remote visit, you’ll need to be their parent or legal guardian.
Visitation Rules, Regulations, and Procedures
If you’re planning to visit someone at the Vanderburgh County Jail, here’s what you need to know.
Essential Visitation Guidelines
All visitors must be Telmate Verified before they’re allowed to visit. Contact Telmate to begin the verification process.
You’ll also need to adhere to the jail’s dress code. Clothes that are too revealing, such as tank tops, halter tops, and short shorts, aren’t allowed. You can’t wear anything with offensive graphics or language, and you’re not allowed to wear clothing that resembles the jail uniform.
You can’t bring certain items into the jail, including cell phones, weapons, outside food or drinks, purses, bags, or backpacks.
Scheduling and Arriving for Visits
Visits can be scheduled online or at the kiosk in the jail lobby. There are time constraints for scheduling visits, so be sure to check the jail’s website or call ahead to find out the specific scheduling windows.
The jail asks that you arrive 5 to 10 minutes early for your scheduled visit. If you’re late, you may not be allowed to visit, and if you miss your visit altogether, you may be penalized or lose visitation privileges.
Managing Commissary Accounts and Making Deposits
Inmates at the Vanderburgh County jail have access to a commissary account, which they can use to buy things like snacks, hygiene products, and stationery items.
If you’d like to deposit money into an inmate’s commissary account, you have a couple of options:
- You can make a deposit online.
- You can make a deposit at one of the designated kiosks in the jail lobby.
You can deposit funds via credit card or with cash. Keep in mind that there may be fees involved, and there may be limits on the amount you can deposit at any one time.
The Vanderburgh County jail uses a service called GettingOut to manage online deposits to inmate accounts. You can visit their website to learn more.
Staying in Touch with GettingOut
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office uses a third-party platform called GettingOut to help people stay in contact with inmates at the Evansville jail. It allows friends and family to send messages, share photos, and even video visit with incarcerated individuals.
GettingOut offers more options than just phone calls and in-person visits. You can send messages that are read and responded to within the platform. Sharing photos is as simple as uploading them through the app or website. Keep in mind that all communications are monitored.
To use GettingOut, you’ll need to create an account on their website or through their mobile app. The platform is fairly easy to navigate. Once you’ve created an account, you can search for an inmate by name and begin communicating.
The Bottom Line
When someone you care about is incarcerated, staying in touch can lift their spirits and support their rehabilitation. Communication can also help you stay connected with your loved one during a difficult time.
At Vanderburgh County Jail, inmates and their families can communicate through phone calls, video visits, and by sending funds through commissary accounts. Most of these services are managed through the GettingOut platform.
If you have a friend or family member at the Evansville jail, we encourage you to use GettingOut to stay connected. Please follow the guidelines outlined in this guide, and remember to stay informed about any updates to policies or procedures. Staying in touch can make a real difference.