Bingham County Unveils Video Visitation In Jailhouse
A revolutionary way to communicate with inmates is making its way behind bars in Bingham County.
Sheriff Dave Johnson said a new video visitation system is a cost-efficient way to keep the jailhouse safer and the inmates better off.
Bingham will be one of four counties in Idaho to install the system.
?We feel really lucky to be in at the ground floor,? Johnson said. ?To be one of the first counties to have this to offer to our inmates — to offer to the families — the constant communication.?
A representative from Telmate, the company installing the system at their expense, called in on the new equipment from Oregon to demonstrate its function.
?(We could get) a tremendous amount of content through that vehicle,? the representative said.
In addition to video calls, the technology offers a web browser, access to religious services and job listings — even games. Bingham County, however, is just sticking with the phone calls for now.
?Not only is it helping inmates, giving them a better opportunity to stay in contact with their families and whoever they want to call, but also it helps us a tremendous amount back in the jail as far as security issues,? Johnson explained.
Officers will no longer have to escort inmates to the visitation center, therefore eliminating any associated risks.
Inmates will still be allowed their two free 30-minute visits each week over the Telmate system. After that, inmates can make unlimited calls for 33 cents per minute if their visitor uses the in-house system. The cost jumps to 66 cents per minute if they’re calling someone on a webcam anywhere else.
The money comes from each inmate’s prepaid account, and goes straight back to paying for the system and the jail itself.
?Everything that is brought in we turn around, and replace TVs in the cells, replace their bedding — it all goes back to the inmates,? Johnson said.
All of the calls will be monitored and recorded, except for calls that inmates place to their lawyers.
Johnson said the new system should be up and running within the next 30 to 60 days.
The Idaho Department of Correction is also considering adding it to the state prison.
