The Hamilton County Jail is now one of many facilities nationally and within the state that utilizes video visitation technology to help family and friends stay connected locally, out of state, or in remote areas with their incarcerated loved one or friend.
Video visitation will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Nov. 16 by Sheriff Jim Hammond. In the meantime, any residents or interested parties who wish to utilize this new service to keep in contact with inmates will need to complete the process of pre-registering online at the website listed below.
Users may create an account and pre-register at https://securustech.net/friends.
All visitations require registration for an account to be issued with a valid email address, government issued photo-identification, and must include a photo (taken by a webcam). Visits can start within 24 hours after setting up the account once the system goes live on Nov. 10.
There are two options for those who wish to participate in video visitation:
Onsite - Two 30-minute visits per week (No Cost)
· Visitation will be conducted through secure monitors with inmate
· Currently children 14+ are allowed
· All equipment to schedule and have visit will be in HCSO Justice Building lobby.
Remote - Unlimited number of visits with as many visitors as they would like to share for random visits, holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings, etc.
· Babies, toddlers and children of all ages can visit
· Requires PC with Windows or Mac operating system
· High –speed Internet access
· Webcam
Pricing for remote visits:
· Onsite visits are of no cost (All users still must register online)
· $15 per 30 minutes for remote visitation
(Users are charged $15 per 30 minute visitation whether the entire time is used or not)
· Promotional Pricing of $5 for 30-minute remote sessions for the 1st 2 months.
Video Visitation has numerous benefits to inmates and their family and friends including:
· Bridge the gap with the family and friends in social connecters (online visits).
· Save money based on transportation cost to and from jail
· Visitor gain control over schedule without lost wages due to taking time off work
· Increased sense of security by visiting from home instead of going to jail
· No more long lines - schedule visits from home or on the go with android phone
Officials said Video Visitation has numerous benefits to Corrections Personnel including:
· Reduces manpower to move inmate(s) from the housing area to the visitation area
· Reduces violence and increases safety for the officers that are moving inmates from one location to the other
· Prescheduled appointments decrease the workload for the visitation staff to call to the housing area to prepare the inmate
· Inmates will know when their appointment is by checking the schedule in the morning
· Shorter wait time thereby decreasing violence outside of the facility and/or in the lobby
· Streamlining the visitation process to make operations more efficient, easier and better for the safety of the public and the jail