Inmates at the Coffee County Jail have a new way to communicate with visitors after the installation of a new video teleconference system.
The newly completed system eases the process of allowing inmates to speak with visitors by eliminating the need to remove an inmate from a cell.
Each cell has been equipped with a video telephone system that connects with another inside the jail visitation area for guests.
Jail Administrator Capt. Richard Moss said the project was funded through the jail's telephone system Amtel.
"It's hectic here on visitation days," he said. "This allows the inmates to stay inside their jail cell and speak with any visitors they might have."
Moss said it also improves the safety of corrections officers because officers no longer have to move inmates in and out of cells and throughout the jail.
"It saves us from having to move inmates from secure locations to relatively unsecure locations," he said.
The project, which would have cost about $200,000, was installed at no cost to the jail through commission from the inmate telephone service.
The video telephone system, Moss said, also comes with the capability to record phone conversations, which wasn't part of the previous visitation system.
The visitation area has also been renovated to include a private attorney/client consultation area.
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