Connecting with Inmates at Porter County Jail

Welcome to your source for everything you need to communicate with your incarcerated friend or loved one.
Our facility uses the communications services provided through GettingOut by Telmate. On this page, you’ll find all the information you’ll need to stay connected.

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Identify Verification

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Before you can communicate with inmates at this facility, you must first verify your identity. You will need to confirm your identity through the Telmate Verified program before you can accept inmate phone calls. Telmate verification helps ensure the safety of you and your inmate contact by aiding in the elimination of fraud and extortion.

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Choose one of these 2 methods to verify your account:

 

1. Make a deposit: You will be verified when you make your first deposit to an inmate or telephone number.  Learn more.

 

2. Create an account: When you create a GettingOut account, you’ll be asked some questions to verify your identity. Learn more.

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Phone Calls & Voicemail

Only inmates may initiate phone calls. To call you, an inmate simply dials your phone number. When receiving a call, you’ll first hear an announcement from an automated operator; “This is a call from [inmate name], an inmate at Porter County Jail. This call is subject to recording and monitoring. Press one (1) to accept all communication from this inmate and Telmate.”

If the inmate has no funds in his account, and is calling you for the first time, the call will be free for a brief period (often less than a minute). This is to allow the inmate to inform you of where he or she is, and to explain how calls work from this facility. After this short call, the inmate will be placed on hold and you will be presented the opportunity to:

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1. Pay (via credit card) to continue the current call.

 

2. Deposit funds into their Inmate Account to continue your call and, if there is money remaining, the inmate may use the funds to make future calls to any number.

 

3. Deposit funds to your Friends & Family Account to continue your call and, if there is money remaining, the inmate may use the funds to call your number only.

 

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Voicemail

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You may leave your inmate a voicemail (up to 3 minutes) by calling 1-866-516-0115 and select option 4.

 

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Blocking Future Calls

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If you no longer wish to receive calls from an inmate, simply call 1-866-516-0115 from the phone number that you wish to have blocked, select option 5 then follow the prompts.

 

For more information regarding phone calls, please visit www.gettingout.com/phone-calls/.

 

At Porter County Jail, communication is more than just phone calls.

GettingOut at Porter County Jail provides a number of ways to keep in contact with your inmate. You can send and receive secure messages, share photos, and video visit from the comfort of your home. And with our free Android and iOS mobile apps, you can send messages and make deposits on the go.

 

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Video Visitation Rules & Hours

 

Video Visit Hours

Remote video visit hours: 7 days a week 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM; and 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM.

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Video Visit from Your Computer

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Remote (offsite) video visiting is available to friends and family using a web browser. Video visits may be conducted from any computer with high-speed internet, a webcam, microphone, & speakers. Learn how to set up your computer for at-home visits.

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It is recommended that before you conduct a remote visit that you allow Telmate to test your computer and internet strength.  This can be done via Visit.telmate.com/test.

For questions about online video visitation at the Porter County Jail, call (866) 516-0115, and select option 2.

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Scheduling Visits

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To schedule a visit with an inmate, go to www.gettingout.com or use the kiosk in the facility lobby.   It is recommended that visit appointments be scheduled at least a day in advance.  You will need to login (or create an account if you haven’t already) before scheduling a visit. Available visiting times may vary throughout the facility, depending on classification and housing unit. Inmates are responsible for communicating their allowed visit times to prospective visitors. Inmates will not be permitted to visit during their lockdown time.  Learn how to schedule a first-time visit.

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Canceling a Visit

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To cancel a visit, log into your GettingOut account or use the link provided in your confirmation email. Cancellations that are over 24 hours in advance are fully refunded.

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Technical Requirements for Visiting from Your Computer

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To visit from your computer, you will need the following:

 

• A computer

 

• A webcam and microphone, or a computer with these components built in (most laptops have these built in)

 

• Internet browsers Safari 4 and higher, or Firefox 7 and higher are recommended. Using other browsers may not load the page appropriately to begin your visitation

 

• Adobe Flash 10 or higher must be installed on the browser you are going to use for your visit. If you’re not sure what version of Flash you have, go to http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ and update your computer to the most current version for free

 

• A high-speed Internet connection is recommended (Dial-up and satellite are not supported)

 

When using a Wi-Fi connection, you may experience a lag or delay depending on the traffic of your connection. Internet connectivity issues are not subject to credit.

 

You can test your webcam and microphone for at-home visitations: https://visit.telmate.com/test

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Messages & Photo Sharing

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Secure Messaging

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Messaging is the most convenient way to stay connected with your friend or loved one. Like “chatting” or “texting,” messages are short, conversational, digital notes you send from our free mobile app or through your GettingOut account online.

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How to Send a Message

 

STEP 1: LOG IN

Log into your account at GettingOut.com or through our free mobile app for Android and iOS.

 

STEP 2: MAKE A DEPOSIT

Deposit funds into your “Friends & Family” account and their “Inmate” account so you can send messages back-and-forth.

 

STEP 3: START SENDING MESSAGES

Once there are sufficient funds in both accounts you are ready to start exchanging messages.

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Photo Sharing

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If a picture is worth a thousand words, then our all-new photo sharing system will speak volumes to your loved one or friend.

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Please Note: All photos must be approved by the facillity before they are posted.