Some great new technology is now up and running at the Terry County Law Enforcement Center. Good for the County. Good for the TCLEC and good for those incarcerated. It is the new HomeWAV system. This is a kiosk located directly in the cell pod. Through this kiosk, prisoners can have a streamlined video visitation with family, attorneys or anyone else. According to the HomeWAV website, this system helps to “reduce facility burden and inmate recidivism through a video visitation process, educational software and form processing, and traditional voice calls and text messages initiated by inmates. Our all in one solutions meet the demands of an ever-changing industry while providing value to our partners through integrity, innovation, and impact.”
One good thing about this system is that the County will not be out any money on this system. HomeWAV installed the system and will maintain the equipment. Video calls placed by inmates will be charged at the rate of $.20 per minute, taken from the inmate’s funds (either money on the person at the time of arrest or money brought in by family members for this purpose). The County will receive 72% of the revenue from the HomeWAV system and the company will get 28%. This can translate to much more than you might expect. The County revenue in December from the old calling system was right around $1,500. Sheriff Timothy Click stated, “We feel like this will be a really good deal for us. Aside from the revenue it will generate, it will help so much with keeping our lobbies empty and keep us from having to move prisoners around for visits so much. We are hoping that our inmates will take advantage of this opportunity to stay in contact with family without having to bring young children to the jail.”
Workers from HomeWAV finish up installation of the new video phone system at TCLEC
This system will enable inmates to stay in touch with family who do not live nearby and also will allow the inmates to see and talk to their children without the children having to be brought to the TCLEC. It also allows contact with attorneys or others involved in their particular case.
HomeWAV promises a five layer built-in security system and completely free maintenance and support. The HomeWAV system will provide many benefits, such as reducing administrative burden by minimizing lobby traffic, lessening resources necessary for scheduling and mitigating security risks and visitor screening.The system also promises to be a cost effective pay-by-the-minute service for the inmates’ families, which encourages inmate usage, reduces operating costs, requires fewer taxpayer dollars and provides shared revenue for the facility. It will increase security as it lessens the need to move prisoners for visitation, removes risk of contraband transfer.
The HomeWAV system should prove to be very valuable for the inmates and their families, as well as lucrative for the County.
