Refugio County Jail & Sheriff COVID-19 Coronavirus Visitation Policy

Refugio County Jail & Sheriff

Address:
E. North Street
PO Box 1022
Refugio, TX 78377-1022

Phone:

(361) 526-2351

New Visitation Policies in Refugio County Jail & Sheriff Due to COVID-19 Coronavirus

Because of concerns for the safety and wellness of both staff and inmates at the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff in Refugio, Texas, 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 (361) 526-2351 for updates.

Video Visitation at Refugio County Jail & Sheriff

At-home and onsite video visitation guidelines for Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, when this service is available, can be found by going to the visitation information page.

We highly recommend that you call (361) 526-2351 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 Refugio County, the state of Texas 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 Refugio County Jail & Sheriff 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.

How to Email an Inmate at Refugio County Jail & Sheriff

Using Jail ATM Digital Messaging with an Inmate at Refugio County Jail & Sheriff - Sending and Receiving Messages.



How It Works:

Once you sign up with Jail ATM instant Messaging you can you can send texts from the cell phone associated with the mobile number you provided at sign-up, and receive text messages from the inmate on the same cell phone. You can only use the phone number you signed up with or it won't work.

To learn more about this email service, check out our full instructions, including fees at our emailing and texting page.


 

How to Both Schedule a Visit and Have Remote Video Visitation with an Inmate incarcerated in Refugio County

To register and sign up for a visitation account with CIDNET Video Visitation Service, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with CIDNET.
  • Type in your Email, Time Zone and First & Last Name of your Refugio County Jail & Sheriff inmate.
    1. Click the Create Account button.
    2. Agree to the terms.
    3. Login to your email and open the verification email sent by CIDNET. Click it.
    4. Choose a Security PIN and a Password.
    5. Click the Sign In button.
  • After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Texas, then the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff will have to give final approval for you to set up a video visitation account with your inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, special links, policies, rules, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding regular visitation and remote video visits with an inmate in Refugio County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All visits are recorded. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that CIDNET may be collecting voice prints for a database which they may be sharing with law enforcement agencies.


 

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls and Video Phone Calls from an Inmate in Refugio County

To register and sign up for a phone account with CIDNET Inmate Phone Service, follow the instructions below:

  • Register and create an account with CIDNET.
  • Type in your Email, Time Zone and First & Last Name of your Refugio County Jail & Sheriff inmate.
    1. Click the Create Account button.
    2. Read the Terms of Use, then click Agree.
    3. Login to your email and open the CIDNET email.
    4. In the email, click the Complete Your Verification link.
    5. Choose a Security PIN and a Password.
    6. Click the Sign In button.
  • After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Texas, then the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff will have to give final approval for you to set up a phone account with your inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding making phone calls with an inmate in Refugio County, visit our full page guide

NOTE: All phone conversations are recorded. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some phone providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.


 

How to send a text or email to an inmate in Refugio County

To send and receive secure texts or emails from an inmate housed in Refugio County follow these instructions:

  • Register and create an account with CIDNET.
  • Choose a Security PIN and Password.
  • After logging in, from the Menu, choose the state of Texas, then the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, then your inmate's name.
  • Once you have completed this, the Refugio County Jail & Sheriff will have to give final approval for you to communicate by email with your chosen inmate.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues with Texting and Emailing an inmate in Refugio County, visit our full page guide


 

How to Send a Secure Email Message to an Inmate in Refugio County

To send a secure email message to an inmate in Refugio County Jail & Sheriff follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Texas, then select Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, and then the inmate you want to send your message to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to spend, and input your payment method. The funds can also be used by the inmate to send a message back to you.
  • NOTE: All messages between you and your inmate will be permanently recorded and seen by the staff and could be used against your inmate in court.

For all information on how to Text/Email an Inmate in Refugio County Jail & Sheriff check out our Secure Messaging Guide for Refugio County.


 

How to Send Money to an Inmate in Refugio County

To send commissary money to an inmate in Refugio County Jail & Sheriff follow these steps:

  • Register with Access Corrections by creating an account.
  • Select Texas, then select Refugio County Jail & Sheriff, and then the inmate you want to send money to.
  • Choose the amount of money you want to send, and input your payment method.

For all information on how to Send Money to an inmate's account check out our full money and commissary guide for Refugio County Jail & Sheriff.