A web-based audio/video visitation system and method providing inmate text message initiated audio/video visitation services to inmates located in a prison on an endpoint control free basis for self-initiating via texting communication services to an inmate selected visitor located external to the prison, including a webserver hosting the web-based audio/video visitation web service enabling the inmate to prepare and transmit a text-message to an inmate selected inmate-visitor, the text-message indicating a request of the inmate to establish an web-based audio/video communication with a selected inmate-visitor, transmitting of the text-message to the selected inmate-visitor, and enabling the visitor interface of the selected inmate-visitors to receive the inmate initiated text-message, to establish the inmate initiated web-based audio/video communication to the inmate-visitor workstation of the selected inmate-visitor, the established web-based audio/video communication.