JPay allows you to speak with your loved one in prison via video call. Actually, this is a good alternative for those who want to directly see inmates in real time since physical visits are often challenging.
In order to use this service, your devices should meet operational requirements, including a webcam, speaker, microphone, and internet connection. If the JPay Android app can be used to send email, money, or photos to inmates, then can you also do a video visit on Android?
Okay, let’s discover the information about it below!
What is a JPay Video Visit?
JPay’s video visit, called “Video Connect,” lets inmates and their families or friends meet face-to-face on any device. However, it is a good option when the distance between you and the facility where the inmate is incarcerated is far.
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To do a video visit, you’ll have to get approval from your loved one’s facility. After that, you can make a schedule first. And it can be done in a simple and convenient way through JPay.com.
Keep in mind that every facility will have its own regulations regarding session rates, duration, and the availability of video connections.
Can You Use an Android Phone for JPay’s Video Visit?
Unfortunately, both the JPay app and browsers on Android phones do not support JPay video visitation.
Instead, the only device you can use for JPay video visits is a computer with appropriate capabilities.
If you still want to try it, you can open the browser on your Android phone, e.g., Chrome. Then, you can go to JPay.com and log into your account. And you can try to make a video visit.
Requirements for a JPay Video Visit
Since Android phones are not compatible with JPay video visits, you definitely need to figure out the device’s requirements for video visits so you can easily do a video visit with your loved one in prison.
The following are the requirements to do a JPay video visit:
- Computer with Windows 10 or above
- Chrome or Edge browsers
- Have high-speed internet access.
- Computer with a webcam that supports two-way audio functionality, i.e., a speaker and a microphone.
- Also, you must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list.
How to Set Up Your Device for JPay Video Visit
Before doing a video visit, you need to test your device first. Luckily, JPay’s system can help you set it up for video connection sessions.
All you have to do is test your webcam. To do so, you can do the following:
- Access JPay.com and log into your account.
- From the “Navigation” menu, you can click “JPay Video Connect.”
- Then, click “System Check.”
- Read the description on the system check and select the “click here” link.
- It will take you to the “Securus Technologies Precall Test” page.
- There, you can click “Start.”
- Make sure to allow the necessary permission to test “microphone” and “camera.”
- If all tests for all components show “PASSED,” Otherwise, if it shows “FAILED,” you can look for the troubleshooting and do a retest.
Aside from that, you can make sure that the following goes well:
- Your JPay Video Connect was confirmed and approved by the inmate’s facility.
- You’re logged into your JPay account.
- Your computer has a high-speed internet connection.
- Your camera is properly working.
- Your speaker and microphone are plugged into your computer.
- The light in your room is enough, and no light is directly facing your webcam.
- There’s no radio, TV, or any other source of noise when a video visit is starting.
- There aren’t any downloads or programs in the background while doing a video visit.
How to Make a Video Visit Schedule on JPay
After testing your device, you can then make a schedule for a video visit. Beforehand, you have to confirm that you’ve selected the correct inmate you’d like for a video visit.
Here’s how!
- Access JPay.com and log into your account.
- From the “Navigation” menu, you can click “JPay Video Connect.”
- Then, choose “Schedule a New JPay Video Connect.”
- There, you can select the “JPay Video Connect Terms or Use” link to read it and click “Continue.”
- In the “Choose Date” box, you’ll need to choose the day when you want to do a video visit. Then, click “Continue.”
- In the “Choose Time” list, you must choose the time when you want to do a video visit. Click “Continue,” and then “Continue” again.
- On the next page, you can select your payment method. You can choose either “Use a new credit or debit card” or “a previously saved card” from the “Select card” list.
- In the “Payment Verification” box, you need to confirm that your payment details are correct. Then, click “Continue.”
If everything is complete, your video visit schedule will be added to your calendar, and you can see it on the JPay Video Connect page.
How to Start a Video Visit on JPay
When the time for the video session comes, you and the inmate can start the video visit.
The following are the steps to start a JPay video visit:
- After logging into your JPay account, you can go to “JPay Video Connect.”
- In the video session box, you can select “Start Video Session Now!”
- Then, a banner will appear when the video client starts up.
- After that, a small window will show up with your camera’s video image.
- If the inmate joins, the window will appear larger and show the inmate’s video coming from the device at the facility.
- Now, your video session will start when both of you are connected.
If you want to extend the video visit, you can click “Extend Call.”
To quit a video visit early, you can click “Quit.” If your session is longer than 30 minutes, you will be charged more.
What If You Got Trouble When Conducting a Video Visit?
In some situations, you may find some difficulties while conducting a video session on JPay. If you experience some troubles, you can try to take the following solutions:
Your device is not connected.
JPay’s Video Connect system will confirm your audio and video devices are well-configured when you connect to a video visit session.
If there’s an error message telling you that your camera and microphone were not detected, you can retest your equipment to make sure the devices are securely plugged into your computer. But if the test shows that your setup is okay, you can listen to audio in the testing frame. Then, you can try to connect your video session again.
No video
If you cannot see your image in the video frame, you can check if the camera is connected.
No Audio
If you don’t hear any sounds when a video session is ongoing, you can check to make sure of the following:
- Your audio system is unmuted.
- Your speakers are connected.
- Your headset is connected.
But if the solutions above cannot solve your problem, you can call JPay customer service at (800) 574-5729.
