HOPE -- A video visitation program for prisoners will be installed in Hempstead County jail, according to Sheriff James Singleton.
"Video visitation allows the inmate and visitor to communicate via analog or digital videoconferencing equipment. Under the old method of face-to-face visitation, inmates were transferred from their housing area to the visitation area, requiring detention officers to get the inmates out of the cell and walk them to and from the visitation area," Singleton said.
The family of an inmate will be able to have more visits at different times of the day, and family members living elsewhere in the state or nation can visit from their homes via a computer, he said.
"With video visitation, inmates will use a video visitation station located in their cell or cell block, while visitors can use a corresponding station elsewhere -- or even use their computers from home," he said.
A benefit of video visitation is less movement of prisoners within the jail.
"This greatly reduces the amount of manpower needed to conduct visits by reducing the movement of inmates and reduces contraband at the facility," Singleton said.
"The video visitation will also reduce the flow of contraband, increase safety and security while decreasing burden on staff, allows for greater flexibility in scheduling visits, provides better control over the visitation process and will allow those family members under 18 to visit with their family members who are incarcerated. Current policy does not allow for anyone under the age of 18 to visit."
Another benefit is that inmates will be able to have the forms on rules and regulations, law library, medical requests, grievances and other inmate-related requests available electronically in their cells 24 hours a day, instead of waiting on paper forms that have to be given out by detention officers, Singleton said.
All requests will be filed electronically directly to the jail administrator or anyone else in the facility. "This will also free up detention personnel to perform other duties," he said.
The video visitation is being installed by CTC Communications Co. of Bossier City, La., the same company that furnishes the inmate telephone system for the jail.
"There will be no upfront costs to the county for installation or equipment. The video visitation will generate funds to pay for itself over a three-year period, and after that, the detention center will receive a monthly commission from the company, as it does with the phone system," Singleton said.
The installation is scheduled to start this week.
State Desk on 02/23/2015