The Denton County Sheriff’s Office recently implemented Video Visitation, a new technology that provides inmates, their friends and family the opportunity to participate in scheduled visitation sessions via web-based video from either the Sheriff’s Office Video Visitation Center or from any personal computer connected to the internet.
Benefits of the new service included offering greater convenience to inmates and the public by increasing visitation days/hours and visitation opportunities and at the same time enhancing security for the Sheriff’s Office.
The public may schedule visits with inmates from 8:15am to 9:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday from the Video Visitation Center, located at the Horn Government Center (1505 E. McKinney, Denton).
If they wish to visit from home, these visits are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday, through the service provider.
The program provides a wider range of days and times to schedule visits and is not encumbered by limited days and times, waiting in long lines and crowded, noisy visitation rooms, offering limited private conversations as before.
Inmates will be provided two free 20-minute visits per week from the visitation center, as required by jail standards and will continue to have unrecorded face-to-face attorney/client visits.
Friends and family are charged only for the at home visits, and these visits are available nationwide to those who wish to visit an inmate in the Denton County Jail. Visitors can make unlimited scheduled visits from home at the current rate of $5 for 20 minutes and $10 for 40 minutes.
Agreed rates for services provided by the service provider Securus Technologies will vary as the program progresses.
With any new technology, there have been a few service issues that have been addressed by the service provider. Overall, inmates, friends, and family who have used the system have been satisfied with the services provided because it not only extends the opportunities for visits, but it also allows for real-time at-home visits as well.
On site visitation has been discontinued in favor of the enhanced services provided by video visitation; however, face to face visitation will be allowed under special circumstances as approved by the Sheriff such as death notices, medical notices, and significant family events.
Sandi Brackeen handles media relations for the Denton County Sheriff’s Office.
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