Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services

Address:
3026 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

Phone:

773-674-7100

New Visitation Policies in Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services in Chicago, Illinois, contact visits of any type may be suspended. Even if they have visits, from time to time, face masks may be required.

Approved Non-contact visits with family, friends and the inmate’s lawyers may still be allowed when at-home or onsite video visitation is not available, however given that new guidelines are changing daily please check the visitation page or call 773-674-8225 for updates.

Video Visitation at Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services, when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call 773-674-8225 first for any changes due to staff shortages or other unforeseen circumstances, including whether your inmate has become ill and is unable to be in the general population where video kiosks are available.

How Long Will These Changes Last?

Experts in the study of the COVID-19 are anticipating that spread of the virus will be a ongoing concern for Cook County, the state of Illinois and the entire United States until well into 2024 and maybe even beyond. We are witnessing the virus becoming more contagious, but less deadly over time. Many people think that the 'more contagious, but less deadly' variants will infect so many people that a higher level of natural immunity for the majority of Americans will be the end result.

Will the Inmates in Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services Be Safe from Getting Sick With COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Whether the inmates are safe from contracting the coronavirus depends entirely on two things:

  1. The Virus being introduced into the facility by a staff member or inmate who is unaware that they have it.
  2. How easily it spreads.

At this stage most people who get the coronavirus show very few symptoms beyond what you might experience with a bad cold or a mild case of the common flu. Newer variants are turning out to be less deadly than the common flu we experience every year.

Studies that have been done are showing that the hardest hit are those 60 years of age and older, those with pre-existing medical issues like diabetes, leukemia or obese individuals. Young men and women rarely become very ill, and when they do, seem to recover quickly.

Given the close proximity of inmates and staff to each other in this lockup, it is going to be very difficult to prevent the spread of COVID-19 once it is introduced into the facility as the virus can spread via the microscopic vapor that we release every time we speak, cough or sneeze.

We will continuously update this page as the virus changes and new policies are instituted.

Cook County Department of Corrections In-Person Inmate Visitation

(Scroll down for Video Visitation instructions)

As long as there is a threat of inmates getting sick from COVID or other pandemic related illness, the following rules will be in affect for all inmates and their visitors:

  • Visitation will only be approved for visitors completing the Cook County Department of Corrections Visitation Application.
  • Visitation will only be allowed for inmates who have been vaccinated.
  • You must apply for a visit at least 48 hours before you request to visit.
  • To find out when your inmate is allowed to have in-person visits, look them up online and view the area of their listing that indicates the times they can have visits. (see circled area below).
  • If you fill out the application and are NOT approved, you may find the answer by looking up your inmate and seeing if they are allowed visitors, or you can call 773-674-8225 or 773-674-8194 to find out why, and what you need to do to get approved.
  • For questions regarding scheduling you can also get answers by emailing the Visitor Information Unit.

These are the in-person COVID visitation guidelines:

  • In person visits will be in an outdoor, social distancing setting.
  • All visitors will be screened by staff for symptoms of COVID-19; temperature check and brief questionnaire, prior to entry.
  • All visitors must wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth and maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) at all times during their in-person visit. If you don't follow this guideline, the visit will be immediately ended.
  • If you have COVID symptoms, you will not be permitted entry into the Department of Corrections.
  • If you experienced any COVID symptoms within 14 days prior to your scheduled in-person visit or have tested positive for COVID within 10 days of your scheduled in-person visit, you will not be allowed to enter the Department of Corrections.
  • If you are NOT fully vaccinated (defined as 14-90 days since receiving all doses of a COVID vaccine), the following guidelines also apply:
    **If you have been in close contact (direct physical contact, or within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with an individual with COVID within 10 days of your scheduled in-person visit (or within 7 days if you test negative no earlier than 5 days after close contact), please do not come to the Cook County Jail.
    **If you have returned from a state covered by the City of Chicago’s travel order in the last 10 days of your scheduled in-person visit, you will not be allowed to enter the jail unless you test negative for COVID no more than 72 hours before arriving in Chicago.

These are the general rules for visitation:

  • All visitors MUST present a valid, government issued picture ID to gain admittance.
  • Minors age 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a minor is high school age, they must present a school picture ID.
  • A parent can bring up to three minors on a visit.
  • No communication is allowed with any other inmate in custody that you are not been approved to visit.
  • Scroll down for more detailed rules regarding dress code.
  • Family and friends wishing to participate and receive an In-Person 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.

Once regular in-person visitation returns in 2023, the following will link you to the actual visitation schedules for each Cook County Jail Division:


Cook County Department of Corrections 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.

 

How to Deposit Money in a Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services Inmate's Account

There are five ways to deposit money in an inmate's account in the Cook County Jail Corrections System:

  • Online or Telephone deposits
  • Currency Exchange facilities
  • JailATM
  • United States Postal Service
  • Jail lobby kiosks

In order to do any of these you need to know the exact name the inmate was booked under, and the booking number.

If you can't find the inmate and booking number online, call the Records Office at 773-674-2390.

Each week, an individual in custody can purchase up to $100 worth of clothing & supplies, and also $100 worth of food items.



1. Online or Telephone Deposits - Note that it my take up to two business days for the funds to show up in the inmate's account.

JailATM - You need to first register with JailATM in order to look up your inmate's name and booking number and deposit money into their trust fund account. They charge a small fee every time you make a deposit. If you have questions or prefer to use their phone service in order to deposit money, call them at 870-627-5476.


Western Union - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and booking number.
You also need to know these codes: The City Code is: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State Code is: ILLINOIS

  • Select Send Money, then Send Money to an Individual in Custody and follow Western Union's instructions.
  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Western Union over the phone, call 800-225-5227.

Money Gram - First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name, AND their booking number.
You will also have to know the Receive Code, which is 1750.

  • For questions, concerns or to add funds via Money Gram over the phone, call 800-225-5227



2. Currency Exchange Facilities -
Deposit funds in-person at Currency Exchanges that offer Western Union or Money Gram services.

Codes:
Western Union
City Code: CCDOC or COOK COUNTY DEPT CORRECTION
State: ILLINOIS

Money Gram
Receive Code: 1750

JailATM
Visit JailATM to register or call 870-627-5476



3.  Mailing a Payment -

* Money orders - $100 maximum 
* Cashiers Checks - $1,000 maximum


When sending an inmate money by mail, the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services will only accept:

  • US Postal Money Orders, or
  • Certified Bank Cashier Checks

If you want to send more you can, but you need to send multiple checks that do not exceed the maximum amounts listed above.

**Important Notes**

  • The check/money order must be payable to the Inmate's Name AND Booking Number. Look up the inmate's booking number here if you don't have it.
  • You can also get the inmate's booking number by calling the Inmate Information Line at 773-674-2390.
  • The Cook County Jail reserves the right to decline or return deposits that violate Department Policies.

Mailing Address:
NAME:
BOOKING #:
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608



4.  Dropping off a payment at a Kiosk - $300 maximum
When dropping off an inmate's money in person, the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services will only accept.

  • Cash
  • Visa or Mastercard

These Kiosks are ATM machines that are managed by JailATM.

JailATM Locations at the Cook County Jail to drop off inmate money:

  • External Post 5 [Front Gate Entrance] – 2700 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 7 – 2834 W. 31st Street Chicago, IL 60608
  • External Post 9 – 2805 S. Sacramento Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 10 Lobby – 2950 S. California Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 11 Lobby – 3015 S. California Blvd. Chicago, IL 60608
  • Division 5 Lobby – 2700 S California Ave. Chicago, IL 60608

Rules Regarding Picking up Money When an Inmate is Released from the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services

The following is the procedure to pick-up money from an incarcerated male or female inmate’s money account, regardless of which Cook County Jail they were in: 

Once an inmate is released, they can go to the following address, and as long as they can present a government issued picture ID, they can get the balance of their Trust Fund Account issued to them.

Division 5
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Hours: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

If they don't have an ID, the balance will be mailed to the address that Cook County Corrections has on file. 
If they are being released to another facility, upon request, the balance will be sent there.

Letters can be mailed to:

Cook County Department of Corrections
Trust/Finance Office – Individual in Custody Trust Fund
Division 5 Second Floor
2700 S California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608

If you have any questions, call the Trust/Finance Office at 773-674-6864.

For more information, including fees, more detailed instructions, deposit limits, type of items available to purchase, and more, check out our Inmate Money page.


 

How to Send Mail to an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services

Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services Inmates are allowed mail in envelopes and on postcards. They are also allowed to receive photos.

They are also allowed to receive books and magazines, but not newspapers.

Mailing Address:
NAME:
BOOKING #:
2700 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608

To learn all the rules, policies and guidelines, and they are extensive, for sending anything in the mail to an inmate at any of the Cook County Jails, check out our Inmate Mail Page.


 

How Do You Communicate with an Inmate in the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services by Phone

Follow these instructions on how to open an account with GTL Connect Network (aka Viapath Technologies)

  • Advance Pay - This phone account allows you to prepay so that your inmate can call you (and only you) whenever he/she wants and the cost of each call is deducted from your balance. You can even be notified by text when your balance gets low. You still have the option of accepting or rejecting each call.
  • Pin Debit  -  This option allows you to fund an inmate's commissary account and lets him pay for phone calls to you and others with the money. You will have no control over who your inmate calls.
  • Voicemail  -  You can leave a secure voicemail without having to contact the facility. When you call the local phone number for a facility offering Inmate Voicemail (call Customer Service at 877-650-4249 to get the local voicemail number for Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services, you will be informed of the cost for leaving a message. To leave your message, simply select the inmate by ID number. Then, record your voicemail.

For full instructions on the Cook County Jail - Women's Justice Services Inmate Phone System, what the costs are, how it works, and tips and guidelines on rules, regulations and saving money on calls, check out our Inmate Phones Page.


 

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