Inmate visits - where and by whom?

When you visit an inmate at the McHenry County Jail, what's the procedure?

For most of us, you go in the front door on the north end of the west wall of the building. You approach a safety-glass window (probably bullet-proof) and state your business. You present ID. You'd better not be wanted, even unknowingly.

You are told to sit down and wait, and to put your valuables in a locker. (Remember, take the key.)

You don't get to talk to the inmate in person. When your visiting time comes, you pass through an electronic screener (No, it's not like TSA uses; it's not a full-body scan (yet)). You proceed into a room and find a booth with your assigned number. Pick up the phone and wait for your inmate to be directed to the phone from which he will talk with you.

No chance to shake hands or hug your family member or kiss your spouse (or child or parent). Certainly no chance to pass contraband. No cakes can be delivered... with or without sawblades.

If you are an attorney, I suspect it's different. My guess is that you enter through a different door, and you get to sit down in a room with your client. You know; like on TV.

Now, disregarding medical calls and court-ordered contact visits, is there any other way to meet with a prisoner?

Is it possible to go in "the back way" and to be able to meet face-to-face with a prisoner? Is there a way to do that which might be "off the books"? Could someone with special privileges (not an attorney) be allowed to meet with inmates? Could someone "with connections" be allowed into the jail for a face-to-face meeting with an inmate?

I began hearing about this well before December 15.

There should be written records of every contact with an inmate by anyone, but would such a visit be entirely off the records, and therefore not FOIA-able?