MONROE — Inmates at the Green County Jail can now potentially celebrate a birthday, say goodnight, share a television show with a loved one or spend time viewing a family holiday event; all via video chat.

A video system recently implemented through Securus Technologies will allow inmates access to video visits operating like Skype or Facetime, and only requires an Android or Apple smart phone, tablet or computer with webcam and internet access. 

Green County Sheriff Mark Rohloff said the addition of video visits to inmates is a positive one. He cited less security and safety risk at an inadequate facility and decreased labor for jail staff as good reasons for the new technology. With an anticipated increase to visitations, the program would help avoid congestion at the jail as well, he said. Alternatively, increasing visits with loved ones could prove to make the jail population less stressed. 

The Green County Jail, built in the early 1980s, is always looking for ways to reduce labor and become more efficient, Rohloff said. Utilizing the new video visitation option, from the same company they use for their phone system, was problem-driven. 

The jail has received complaints from families about the limited availability for visits, and on weekends there are often several small children in the waiting area. 

“This isn’t an environment (children) need to come into,” Rohloff said. “This seems like the best solution we have with the least amount of impact on tax dollars.”

The video system cost the department about $90,000 to implement. All costs, including equipment, data services and administrative, will be recovered by user fees friends and family put into their pre-paid account. The system was implemented with unbudgeted funds from last year and is currently on a five-year contract. 

“This allows different ways to maximize space, efficiency and prolong the use of our current facility,” Rohloff said.

Rohloff researched the program with Lieutenant Curtis Quinn, who has been with the department for more than two decades and is also the jail administrator. 

Video visits will be in addition to inmate phone calls, Quinn said, and he doesn’t see them replacing the more cost-effective, traditional contact. Video conferencing runs at $12.99 for a 20-minute visit, which comes out to about 65 cents per minute. Phone calls cost about half as much, at about 30 cents per minute. 

Anyone with a tablet, smart phone or computer can make a visit to a Green County inmate through Securus Technologies. The visits can also be used for attorney and client conferences — those visits would be unmonitored. 

“This could also be an interactive way for inmates to communicate with deputies,” Rohloff said.

Quinn said users must sign up for an account and go through an approval process that includes submitting a photo ID with their webcam. Once the member receives an approval pin, they can join before the scheduled call and anytime during the 20-minute session. All video visits are recorded, controlled and monitored, Quinn said. Privileges can also be lost when rules are broken.  

“The calls come in — they don’t go out,” Quinn said.

The technology also provides jail rules and other necessary documents on the kiosk set up in the cell block, where inmates can read and agree to them. 

The Green County Jail is almost entirely hands off when it comes to behind-the-scenes work for the video program. Connections, billing and scheduling are all done through the vendor. It is only administered by jail staff. 

Quinn said there are specific times inmates are not allowed visits — like during meals or lock down — but, with the new program, visits can be more frequent than before because of the lack of staff needed to move inmates from cell blocks. Previously, there would only be one or two days per week to schedule visits, depending on the inmate’s classification status.

“It allows inmates more frequent access,” Quinn said. “They can put money in the account and make arrangements later.”

Although it’s too early to tell if this will increase visits to inmates, Rohloff said about a dozen people have signed up to utilize the system. The inmate population at the Green County Jail is currently about 44 people, which is low compared to the average, he said.

Rohloff said this will let the jail use technology that allows the department to do more with less. 

“Face-to-face (visit) is pretty much done with,” Rohloff said, noting that the current system with a glass block and talking through a phone that links the visitor and inmate is over. “This seems to be the most logical step for us.”

Kiosks are onsite and still allow free access to inmates in the jail if it’s more convenient for local residents or to an indigent inmate or family. There will be a computer or kiosk set up in the lobby area. 

Rohloff noted that if the jail were to ever change or relocate, they could easily take all of the Securus kiosks and equipment with them.

“This is a way for the family to see that they’re OK, well, and it’s more intimate and personal,” Rohloff said.