By Robert Richardson
ABC News
ANNISTON, Ala. — The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office lets inmates talk with their loved ones using Internet webcams in visitation rooms.
Those inmates will soon be able to use the same technology to discuss their cases with lawyers. “To allow inmates to visit via the Internet with their families, that’s a convenience for their families,” Sheriff Larry Amerson said.
“They don’t have to drive here. A lot of people live far away or they may be invalids, or may have small children they don’t want to bring to that environment.” There are 10 booths for visitors to talk to inmates. Four have traditional glass windows with telephones, while six have small cameras and video screens.
“We’ve been doing that for some time. It’s proved successful,” Amerson said. The sheriff said the next logical step is to extend that access to attorneys, who currently have access to three rooms at the Calhoun County jail where they can meet with their clients.
Full story: Calhoun County jail adding Internet videoconferencing for lawyers and inmates