Monday, April 1, 2019

Learn The Benefits Of A 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.

The facility personnel had taken more important tasks than transferring prisoners from one cell to another cell of visitation. Illegal transactions among inmates were also prevented. For this positive observation, videoconferencing continues till this day and is improving technically. In fact, contractors are competing for customers trust.

When it comes to funding the service, the welfare funds intended for inmates are used. Additional support comes from the shared profits and commissary fractions with phone contracts or IT vendors. Sometimes supporting funds are abolished in order for vendors to make upgrades and improvements on the facility.

Thus, for the part of the visiting person, he must be well versed of what could happen along the way. Different vendors have their own way of conducting the business. Others require the visitor to go check for himself if it is actually served in the prison. Others also extend the service of coordinating between clients.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment