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Friday, Jul 31, 2026

Do more than two-thirds of Oklahoma county jails no longer allow families or friends to visit in-person?

Matthew Yim, Oklahoma Watch
yes

An Oklahoma Watch report found that only 25 of all 77 county jails, or under one-third, allow in-person visitation. 

Most jails just allow video calls, which cost detainees’ families – $9 for 30 minutes at the Cleveland County jail, for example – and profit county jails and private virtual visitation companies.

Despite the financial incentives, proponents of virtual visitation cite concerns around security and staffing with in-person visitation. Advocates of in-person visitation see it as a fundamental right that encourages rehabilitation and good behavior. 

Most jail detainees are awaiting trial and haven’t been convicted. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, 78 percent of those in local jails are unconvicted and presumed innocent.  

Many people remain detained pretrial because bail is unaffordable, making virtual visits for such families particularly costly. Bail bond for men and women detained pretrial can cost up to 64 percent and 90 percent of their yearly incomes, respectively.

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