1 / 3

A bank of telephones for inmate visitation calls in a housing unit at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The Jail is in the process of updating their phone and video visitation technology. Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps

2 / 3

A visitation room featuring telephones on each side of glass barriers as well as newer video conference stations at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The Jail is in the process of updating their phone and video visitation technology. Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps

3 / 3

A visitation room featuring telephones on each side of glass barriers as well as newer video conference stations at the Utah County Jail in Spanish Fork on Tuesday, June 3, 2014. The Jail is in the process of updating their phone and video visitation technology. Spenser Heaps, Daily Herald

Spenser Heaps

❮ ❯

SPANISH FORK — By the end of June, more than 950 inmates at the Utah County Jail will have a new way to communicate with family and friends, utilizing some of the newest technology available at no cost to taxpayers.

Installation on a new phone, email and video visitation system is expected to begin June 17. The hope is that the new system will be operational by June 25.

The new system, offered through Telmate, will continue to offer phone and email services, but will switch from in-person visitation to video visitation. Family and friends will be able visit with an inmate from the comfort of their own home instead of having to travel to the jail in Spanish Fork for face-to-face meetings. The video visitation will be similar to technology like Skype and Facetime.

“We believe that switching to video visitation will greatly benefit the family,” said Chief Deputy Darin Durfey with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. “Family and friends will be able to save on costs such as gas, car rentals and hotel expenses.

“Enhanced communication with family makes the inmates’ stay in jail more comfortable. Having access to communicate with family and friends reduces tensions and violence in jails and prisons. Having a good support system will help them make a transition back into the community.”

Family and friends will still be able to visit the jail for visitation if they choose, but those meetings will also take place by video.

Email services will change slightly and will allow family and friends to email photos to inmates.

With the new technology, Durfey said security will be a high priority.

“The phone calls and video visitation will all be recorded, just like they currently are,” he said. “We have a disclaimer that says this, so that inmates are aware. We also will have rules about what behavior is acceptable for video visitation.”

Durfey said that a warning will be issued for the first offense of inappropriate behavior, but more offenses will lead to suspension and even termination of all privileges.

To pay for phone calls, inmates currently purchase phone cards from the jail commissary or can call collect to family members or friends. With the new system, Telmate will allow inmates to have money on a commissary account, or friends and family can set up an account with money in it for calls and visitation. Inmates will still be able to make collect calls.

The cost of a phone call will be charged per minute, with local calls at a fixed amount. Emails will also have a fee, and those who send photos will pay a little more. The fee for video visitation isn’t set yet, but will likely range from $7 to $11 for a 30-minute visit.

In a press release from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, a family member, on average, spends up to $20 in gas, plus 2.5 hours of drive time, for face-to-face jail visits. With the new visitation system, the same visit will cost less than $.35 per minute when visiting remotely over video.

“Traveling to a facility for an in-person visit can be inconvenient, uncomfortable and even intimidating, especially for small children,” said Telmate Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Hansen in a press release. “With remote video visitation, friends and family can say goodbye to long drives, uncomfortable waits and harsh surroundings as they enjoy a more personal visit from the comfort of their own home.”

“Inmates can access the phone or email any time they are out of their cell, which is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.,” Durfey said. “With the new video visitation, visitation will have to be scheduled in advance.

“We currently use GTL to provide our inmate phones and email,” Durfey added. “Our contract expires every five years, so we went out and got our own bids from four vendors. Through the process, we narrowed it down to two and chose Telmate.”

Telmate is based out of San Francisco and provides technology for detention facilities nationwide that helps families keep in contact with incarcerated loved ones. Telmate provides the equipment and services free to the county. There is a minimal service fee for the inmates when they choose to use the system. Over the course of the contract with the county, Telmate is able to recoup the cost of the equipment and services.

 “The system being put in costs the county nothing,” Durfey said. “The funds generated will also go into the inmate trust fund, which pays for programs for the inmates.

“The reason we went with Telmate is that they are on the cutting edge of technology. We will have fixed video visitation units installed, but Telmate is working towards having tablets and making it so that family and friends could have their visit using their phone or tablet. We like to embrace technology, and it will make it easier for the public to have the contact with their loved ones that are here.”