By Kevin Buey
Deming Headlight
DEMING, N.M. — Inmates at the Luna County Detention Center will have access to a less-expensive telephone system with which to contact relatives and friends. Additionally, The LCDC is updating booking and release procedures and making other upgrades.
The price tag exceeds a quarter-million dollars.
Warden John Krehbiel reported Monday the LCDC has implemented the Offender Communication System (OCS) provided by Digital Solutions/ Inmate Telephone, Inc. (DSI/ITI). Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Altoona, Pa., DSI/ITI is the leader in providing corrections automation services to county corrections facilities.
The LCDC telephone contract expired last year. The new system was selected after review of several proposals, with Krehbiel and County Commissioners finding the new system providing more economical and technological advantages.
The web-based Offender Communication System (OSC) will allow LCDC inmates to contact family and friends on telephones in the facility at lower calling rates for inmates and for friends and families receiving calls. OCS options for calls are collect, pre-paid collect, debit and calling card.
The LCDC, Krehbiel said, will also install DSI/ITI’s industry-leading Offender Management System (OMS) to handle daily booking and release of inmates, a full accounting system, which accounts for inmates’ money and expenditures, including automatic deduction of funds from accounts when phones are used. The system also allows the LCDC to better monitor inmate location - for example, those who are out of the facility for court appearances.
“The Luna County Detention Center will be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art jail management system, valued at more than $250,000,” said Corby Kenter, DSI/ITI Regional Sales Manager, " a superior inmate calling platform and several other services at no additional cost to Luna County or its taxpayers all while receiving reduced call rates for inmates’ family and friends.”
More information on the new phone system, an additional expense beyond the management system, is available at www.dsiiti.com .
“We are excited about this partnership with DSI/ITI,” Krehbiel said, “and look forward to making our facility one of the premier and state-of-the-art facilities in New Mexico.”
Copyright 2010 Deming Headlight, a MediaNews Group Newspaper