Most county jails have strict visitation schedules due to the number of inmates and the number of people who want to see them. Typically, you have to set up special visits ahead of time, but there are some jails that make exceptions. You may be allowed to have a special visit for these reasons: A death in the family: It is incredibly hard to find out through a letter or phone call that a loved one has died. The inmate is left alone with their grief and they’re unable to reach out to others who are also grieving. Some jails will allow you to have a special visit (sometimes in person instead of on a monitor) if you need to tell your inmate that an immediate family member has died. Don't expect the visit to last long, perhaps 10-30 minutes. When you arrive, say what you have to say quickly so the rest of the visit can be spent helping the inmate through his or her initial reaction before returning to their cell. If you’ve traveled far: If an inmate's family members are in town and want to see him or her, the jail may allow it if they have traveled a good distance. For example, an inmate has siblings who live several hundred miles away and are driving through town today on their way to another destination. It is possible the jail will allow an unscheduled visit with the inmate as long as the visitors can provide proof (mail or driver’s license) that they indeed live very far away. The inmate has a long sentence: Occasionally, when an inmate is sentenced to a very long time and has elderly parents, the judge or jail will allow a same-day short visit. This allows the inmate to say goodbye because of the probability that the parents will have a hard time visiting a far away prison and will consequently never see their child again. For example, if the inmate’s parents are in their 70's and their brother is sentenced to 110 years, or natural life without parole, a special visit may be permitted. This type of special visit is rare but in smaller counties it is sometimes possible. Final thoughts: Individual jails are allowed to make their own decisions for the most part when it comes to the inmates and rules. If the need arises to have an unscheduled visit, call the jail and ask to speak to an administrator or a jail officer (Lieutenant or Sergeant). Don't just talk to whoever answers the phone, typically an hourly paid guard who might not have correct information. Request the person in charge, and once you’ve reached them, give a quick explanation about the circumstances and ask if you can have an unscheduled visit with your inmate. Your request may be declined but you won't know unless you ask.