Arkansas Jail Implements Video Visits

Arkansas Jail Implements Video Visits

There are many complications when allowing those who are not inmates into a jail or prison, there have been many problems with visitors sneaking in illegal contraband into the facility, or fights that break out between inmates and visitors. There is also the thought of manpower needed to scan and check every visitor that comes into the facility as well as the officers who are moving inmates from their cells to the visitation rooms.

Faulkner County Jail in Conway, Arkansas, is trying a new way to get around the security risks that accompany visits from friends and family by implementing a video system that is similar to Skype. The move is aimed at reducing the security threats and cutting down on officer manpower while allowing more opportunity for detainees to talk to their family and friends in a secure environment.

The video visitation, which will begin March 21, is an internet-based system that will be set up as a visitation station in an inmate’s cell or cell block. From the station, the inmate can see and talk to their visitor who is either located in another part of the jail, speaking from a similar visitation station, or from their smartphone, computer or tablet at home.

“This greatly reduces the amount of manpower needed to conduct visits by reducing the movement of detainees,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “We truly believe this system will be extremely helpful for families living more than five to 10 miles away from our location.”

Security is less of a problem with video visitation than in-person visits because fewer outsiders – some of whom could be carrying contraband – are entering the jail’s detention area. Another advantage of the video visitation is that inmates can see and talk with as many people as desired if the visitors are using a home computer.

Inmates can still have traditional, face-to-face visits if requested and approved in advance, but the days and hours for those visits are greatly restricted. Even then, visitors and inmates are separated by thick, transparent Plexiglas, and hearing each other can be difficult because there is no audio equipment.

The interactive system allows inmates to initiate contact directly with approved visitors without operator assistance. Just as telephone calls placed by inmates can be monitored, these visits also can be monitored for improper use. An inmate who abuses the system can be denied access to it in the future.

"I think eventually more of the sheriffs are going to gravitate toward the video visitation," director of the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association, Ronnie Baldwin said. "The one major aspect is that it's more secure. It reduces the amount of contraband brought into jails.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Allied Universal Report Highlights Expected Security Hazards

    All is not well with the world. I know that is not breaking news. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • Nothing Artificial About this Intelligence

    I have been looking forward to this year’s GSX show in New Orleans, the Cresent City, or if you prefer The Big Easy. It seems like quite a while since we’ve been here. Twenty years ago, ASIS, as it was known then was literally washed out of the city by someone known as Katrina. It is a good thing to come back to NOLA. Read Now

  • From Monitors to Mission Control

    Security Operations Centers (SOC) were once defined by rows of static monitors, each displaying a single feed with operators quietly watching for issues. That model has become obsolete. Incidents evolve too quickly, data comes from multiple locations, and decisions must be made in seconds—not minutes. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.