By John Reynolds
The State Journal- Register
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sangamon County Jail visits soon could be moving into the digital age. Instead of talking with friends or family face-to-face through glass partitions, inmates might be able to talk with people electronically via computer.
Jail superintendent Terry Durr said such an approach would be less labor intensive since correctional officers would not have to search and escort visitors.
“Before visitors are allowed to go up, they have to get rid of their cell phones, they are scanned, and then they go up in one of our elevators to a visitation booth. Then, the inmates are transferred from their block to the visitation area,” Durr said.
With a video system, people could come to the jail and visit with an inmate over a computer outside the jail’s secured area. People could also pay a fee and visit with inmates from home using their personal computer.
Sangamon County Board members have not made any decisions on whether to install a video chat system inside the jail. On Tuesday, members of the jail committee met with eight distributors to see what is available.
Board member Joel Tjelmeland said some of the distributors have set-ups that don’t require any up-front money for installation. The county could also share in some of the revenue the system would generate.
“It’s a revenue-sharing process. For every dollar that is spent, a percentage comes back to the county,” Tjelmeland said. “Also, people who couldn’t make the trip to the jail will be able to see their family or friends.”
The jail committee is also reviewing a new electronic kiosk that would allow inmates to order items from the commissary, schedule appointments and file grievances electronically.
“It could save some paperwork for us. Inmates fill out grievance and request forms daily,” Durr said.
The new ordering system would be paid for through the Inmate Welfare Fund, which comes from revenue generated by the jail commissary.
“We use that fund to pay for televisions, basketballs and other inmate items,” Durr said, adding that the jail would like to install the electronic ordering system within the next six months or so. After that, it could move forward on the video chat system.
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