CREST HAVEN — An innovative program allowing Internet visitation between inmates housed in the Cape May County Correctional Center and their loved ones is a success, according to jail officials.
The program, dubbed ‘iWeb’ went live at the jail this past May. Since then, inmates have been able to visit family and friends, as well as legal representatives and clergy, via an Internet connection.
Instead of going to the jail to visit an inmate, visitors can visit from the comfort of their own home. All that is needed is a computer with camera, an Internet connection and a $10 fee for each 20-minute visitation.
Visitors may also opt to come to the jail for an on-site visit. No fee is charged for an on-site visit, however space is limited.
According to Sheriff Gary Schaffer, video visitation is a win-win situation for all involved. Visitors no longer have to go to the jail, and inmates can have increased visits.
Under the jail’s previous visitation system, visiting hours were limited to two hours per day, with a 20-minute visit at one of the facility’s four stations in its visiting room.
Due to space constraints, inmate visits were broken down alphabetically into two groups, with one being allowed visitors on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday morning. The other group is able to have visitors on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoon.
“Officers used to have to go physically and get the inmate,” said Cpl. Steven Sumler. “Now there’s no movement at all, which is safer for officers.” In addition to officers’ safety, the incidents of contraband being brought into the facility are lessened.
“Our visitation is now run by one person,” said Sumler.
With 27 terminals throughout the facility, inmates stay in the day room area outside their cells to visit. Electronic visitors can visit seven days a week with up to three visits per day. Visitation hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Visitors opting to physically go to the facility are able to visit with their loved one via a screen rather than through a glass partition. On-site visits are limited to specific days and times, according to the inmate’s last name.
Unlike old-fashioned face-to-face visits through glass, iWeb visits allows inmates to have more than one visitor at the same time. From the day room of the jail, an inmate could simultaneously visit with his or her mother in Court House, sister in Texas and grandmother in Great Britain. Each visitor, however, would be charged a $10 fee for the 20-minute visits.
“It’s going to cost at least $10 on the average to get here,” said Schaffer. “We kept it reasonable at $10,” he said adding that the savings in travel time alone may make it worthwhile for visitors.
According to Schaffer, visits with attorneys and other professionals cost $25 per 20-minute visit. Visits with attorneys are confidential, according to Schaffer.
The jail’s revenue share of the program from April 1 through Sept. 31 was $5,924. A portion of the revenue generated by the program is shared with iWebVisit.com, a Reno Nev.-based company that maintains the service and its equipment.
“I’m happy with that,” said Schaffer. “We’re still relatively new. In a year’s time, it will be the majority of visits.”
One option the technology allows for is the inclusion of inmates in family events. The jail saw an increase in the number of web-based visits over the Thanksgiving holiday. Inmates can also participate, electronically, in events such as children’s birthday parties and family get-togethers.
Feedback from families using the new method of visiting has been positive, according to Schaffer. He told of a woman who would bring her children to the jail to visit.
“All three kids saw their dad from home yesterday,” she told the sheriff. “And we’re never coming back.”
