Monday, April 1, 2019

Many States Are Now Conducting Video Visitation For Inmates

By Andrew Smith


Having a loved one or a friend being in a prison or in a correctional facility is a sad knowledge. Knowing the dire conditions inside such environment brings a lot of anxiety. The arrangement of visitation takes a toll personally and, worse, strains relationship among family members, plus, not to mention the long distance one has to cross on. Gladly, many states are now conducting video visitation for inmates.

Videoconferencing started in Florida States in which the inmate, at a designated room, would video stream live to a visitor who is situated in a visiting area in the same facility. The move had helped in minimizing the mobilization of everyone within the vicinity. Lesser manpower was used in transferring the inmate.

Back in 1995, the States of Florida started the implementation of videoconferencing. The installation of CCTVs made it possible. The initiative move proved beneficial for prisoners and security forces as minimum physical monitoring was implemented. It saved time and manpower in fetching the inmates.

Unlike before, the option of videoconferencing can now be done off-site the prison facility. That means the video visitation can be at the home of a visitor. But still it depends on the policies laid by the prison facility. Before anything else, the visitor must have learned if such service is available and what are the rules in conducting the manner.

The welfare funds for prisoners help support the system. IT vendors also contribute in the funding by sharing profit fractions with admin department. In case of equipment upgrades and improvements, the sharing can be waived as the vendor, upon mutual agreement, shoulder the cost.

Vendors make profits from a paying visitor. Basing on the customer reviews, companies charge at 33 cents per minute and another 30 dollars for fix charge. Visitors should be aware of current applicable fees as to avoid being extorted as there are reports of soaring charges even in spite of bad signals.

Videoconferencing is not free. Companies charge the visitor per minute for a minimum of 33 cents, in additional to a fix charging fee which, basing on the internet, could amount to 30 dollars. And the video duration is only less than an hour like, thirty minutes. Basing again on the reviews, other visitors have experienced extortion from greedy vendors.

The above consequence is nothing to be discouraged of. There are still some honest companies who sympathize with the individuals involved. A bit more research as to which one provides the best service should be the main goal, as there are reports that some equipments dont work properly or signals are bad. Just imagine the worst case scenario like this, and you will not end up broke or being scammed.

Recently, the latest trend in videoconferencing is the possibility to do it at the home of visitors. And this has been like a sweet music to the ears of the prisoners as they could have a glimpse on the forgotten outside world. The background space could be arranged also to suit the needs of both parties. But no matter how good this sounds like, the situation should comply with the rules set by the correctional facility as ongoing conference is monitored or recorded.




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