Visiting a loved one at the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility (SCDF) at 141 West Elm Street in Wichita, Kansas works differently from many county jails — and understanding those differences before you plan a visit will save you a frustrating trip. The most important thing to know: all visits at SCDF are video visits. There are no traditional contact or even glass-partition visits. Whether you come to the facility in person or connect remotely from your home, you are seeing your loved one on a screen.
Video-Only Visitation: What It Means
Sedgwick County converted to video-only visitation for all general population inmates. The facility maintains on-site video visitation terminals in a designated area, where visitors can come to the jail and conduct a video visit on facility-provided equipment. Alternatively, remote video visits can be conducted from any device — smartphone, tablet, or computer — from your home or anywhere with internet access.
For legal counsel, this policy does not apply in the same way — attorney visits are treated differently and may be conducted in a traditional attorney interview room setting. If you are an attorney or have questions about legal visit procedures, call the facility directly at (316) 660-5245.
Scheduling: 24 Hours in Advance Required
All visits — both on-site and remote — must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Walk-up visits without a prior reservation are not accommodated. This is a firm policy with no exceptions for in-person visitors who arrive unannounced.
To schedule a visit, use the facility's approved visitation platform (ICS Corrections, Inc., which took over the communication contract in June 2025). Scheduling is available through the facility's communication portal or by calling (316) 660-5245. You will need the inmate's name and booking number to complete the scheduling process.
Free Weekly Allotment: One Hour Per Inmate
Each inmate is entitled to one hour of free on-site visitation per week. This free hour can be used at the on-site video terminals at the facility. Additional visits beyond the free weekly allotment are charged at the same rate as remote video visits. The pricing for additional visits is set by the facility's communication contract with ICS Corrections.
Visitor Requirements
All visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors are required to comply with facility rules at all times, including following directions from staff and maintaining appropriate conduct during the visit.
Remote Video Visits: Connecting from Home
Remote video visits allow you to see and speak with your loved one without traveling to 141 West Elm Street. To set up remote visits:
- Create an account through the ICS Corrections communication portal (the platform that took over from the previous vendor in June 2025)
- Register a credit or debit card to fund video visit sessions
- Schedule the visit at least 24 hours in advance through the platform
- Connect at the scheduled time on your device — the inmate connects from a video station inside the facility
Remote visits are particularly practical for family members who live outside the Wichita area, who cannot easily travel to the facility, or for whom in-person visits are difficult due to work schedules or transportation. They are also useful for maintaining more frequent contact than the free weekly on-site visit allows.
What Remote Visits Cannot Replace
Video visits, however convenient, cannot fully substitute for in-person contact when the goal is maintaining deep human connection, particularly for children visiting a parent. Research on visitation in correctional settings consistently shows that in-person visits — especially contact visits — have stronger effects on maintaining family bonds and reducing recidivism than video visits alone. Sedgwick County's video-only policy means families must make do with a format that, while accessible, is inherently less rich than physical presence.
Contact Information
For visit scheduling, inmate location, and general questions:
- Address: 141 West Elm Street, Wichita, KS 67203
- Phone: (316) 660-5245 (available 24 hours a day for inmate information)
- Sedgwick County Sheriff website: sedgwickcounty.org/sheriff
Many of these services are run by private companies. See how the main providers work, including fees and how to sign up: Securus, ViaPath (GTL). For every phone, video, money, mail, and care-package company, browse our full inmate service provider directory.