Allen County jail inmates don’t have much freedoms, but now they may communicate as often as they wish with family and friends via the Internet.
Computerized stations have been installed to allow inmates to communicate with the outside world.
Sheriff Bryan Murphy said the privilege had become commonplace in jails throughout the nation.
Cost of hardware and installation was $3,900, which came from profits on sales at the jail’s commissary. No tax money was spent on kiosks for the five pods, and a sixth in the Law Enforcement Center lobby where money — by credit or debit card or cash — may be deposited to an inmate’s account.
Inmates are provided email accounts when they are admitted. Grievances and medical requests also may be sent to jail supervisors via the electronic messaging. Most communication are monitored by jail personnel as well as by TurnKey of Hudson, Wis., which hosts the system.
Murphy thinks the opportunity for inmates to communicate with friends and family makes for a better atmosphere in the jail.
“It’s a lot better when they can visit their family anytime, rather than just a few hours a couple of days a week,” he said, although personal visits still are an option.
Slight costs come with using the Internet stations. Emails and texts cost 13 cents apiece; visual communications 25 cents a minute.
THE NEW approach also has helped alleviate a problem with bookkeeping matters, Murphy said.
Inmates’ accounts can be settled in a more efficient manner upon their release with the system, he said.
“Now, when someone is released we put what’s in their account on a debit card and hand it to them as they go out the door,” Murphy said.
Before, the county mailed checks, which frequently were returned.
“We’ve returned about $3,000,” of $5,000 outstanding, Murphy said.
