Hope everyone is having a great week. Quick beginner question… Has anyone solicted General Notary services to the jails or prison system? If so how did you start that process?
Call each facility and ask what their process/procedures are. Getting ID can be a problem.
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@wyattk345 Something else to give serious consideration to is the potential for lockdown & you could be locked-in for hours on-end . . .
Always perform your own due diligence for your region to gain knowledge about that potentiality. 
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It is very difficult to be a Notary for Jails and Prisons. City, County, State and Federal centers have different rules. I would rather be a Notary for a medical facility.
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Very true ~ consider your personal risk which can vary in every state and type of prison. Not on my list of work I will perform. Life is too short.
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I am also a Bail Bond agent (for 7 years now) …it is supposed to be easier to enter jails to do notary if need be… I have performed notary services in a detention center, but yet to do a notary in the jail or prison.
BBN_CA
I ve called several as a proson is very close to me. I have been told they have a list of already vetted notaries, but thanks anyway. I had a request from a former neighbor and there was some travel. I had to jump through a few hoops, but finally got the appointment set. They told me to call before. I had an hour drive. I called and he was being transferred as i spoke to the official. I took a rather informative class.
I make very good income serving prisons and jails. I prefer this type of work over loan signings. The pay is much better and the time required is much less!
I’ve read, on numerous occasions, about Notaries that are afraid to go to jails/prisons. They say it is to scary. You will never get into the cell areas. Think visiting area or attorney rooms.
There are places in most cities that are scarier to go to than prisons/jails. There is much more control in prison/jail settings.
Generally, you will want to contact the visitation office. Look for info on the prison/jail website. This is a good starting point.
I use an electronic journal and electronic finger printer. Electronics require special conditions and approval. They are typically not allowed in prisons.
I contacted the headquarters of the prison system to obtain this permission. In my case, a written directive from The Director of Prisons was sent to all prison wardens authorizing me to enter all prisons with electronics. I serve 13 prisons.
Respectfully, Guy
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@notary Congratulations 
on investigating, developing, & creating a niche that is perfectly suited to you & your professional services.
It’s amazing the “doors” that present themselves when the mind is open to creativity with providing professional services . . .
Great niche work but depends on area of service. Comments below don’t mention areas of service. Once upon a time lived in SF Bay Area and still have visions of Alcatraz in back of my brain I just can’t shake. Good luck to all !
I have done four prison signings. One signing was with the prison doctor, we signed in the cafeteria, two signings were in the prison proper, one was in the counseling area, one was in an attorney room and the third was at a training facility. When signing with inmates I had to pass a background check prior to access. The background check is good for a year. Normally they have a retired prison employee who does the notary work but that person isn’t always available so the job fell to me. I didn’t charge extra for my services upon learning where the location was, but I did charge a travel fee.