First in Nation: County Jail Offers Inmate Visits Via Internet

CREST HAVEN — Have a loved one or friend in Cape May County Correctional Center? Pay $10 and visit them online for 20 minutes. Better yet, the whole family can join the visit, not just one person.
At a Thur., May 12 introduction, Sheriff Gary Schaffer and Warden Donald Lombardo unveiled service that has already won fans from among inmates’ families, according to Schaffer.
Robert Avery of iWebWisit.com, Reno, Nev.-based provider of the service, was present to explain the fine points of the 27 units that link the county jail’s inmates to the world, recorded and retained for 90 days, with the exception of attorneys, whose client meetings remain unrecorded and confidential.
“I am excited about this new technology and pleased to be the first in the country to contract with (iWebVisit.com) to offer this service,” said Schaffer. He said the service will benefit officers by reducing contact with inmates. It will also generate revenue for the county, which purchased the devices for about $67,000, which he expects to easily recoup once the public accepts the idea of Internet visits.
Prior to the new system, visitation was restricted due to space, time slots and officers needed to supervise the visits. An inmate might average 20 minutes per visit a week, he noted.
The new system allows an inmate to have up to three visits per day, seven days a week. Many inmates feel isolated, and the service will allow greater family contact with none of the negatives, said Schaffer. Among the drawbacks, he said, is when children accompany a parent to visit another parent in jail.
Schaffer believes the $10 per visit will be a “significant savings for families and friends at the present cost of gas, public transportation and other travel expenses.”
In addition to attorney visits, the new system will also allow case workers, probation, bail bondsmen, and others to see clients.
The system records audio and video, excepting professional visits, that will enable the jail staff to better monitor intelligence, gang activity and potential criminal activity.
Last year, the county jail recorded 3,150 commitments of inmates. There were 8,083 inmate visits with families and 1,904 inmate visits with professionals.
The system allowed up to 11 persons to join one visit from multiple locations throughout the globe. Users may invite others to visit, pay for the other person or allow them to pay for themselves.
Scheduling a visit is done by visiting the Sheriff’s website: www.cmcsheriff.net and clicking on iWebVisit.com
Inmates can see when scheduled visits, which must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, are to take place.