A new visitation system at the Navajo County Jail is expected to save the county and taxpayers money, but will eliminate in-person visits.
Once the new system is complete, all visits will take place via video either at the jail or by computer. Sheriff KC Clark explained that inmates will remain in their pods, and will not have to be moved to and from the visitation area, which will save manpower and money, and allow the jail to extend visiting hours since extra staff is not required.
Anyone with a computer or smart device and Internet access can schedule and complete a visit from any location. There is a fee to conduct the visit, but Clark noted that the fee is lower than the cost of travel for many residents of the county.
“They will have to pay for a visit, but it will save gas and travel costs,” he said. “Video visitation will be a huge money-saver to the whole county.”
Visitors who come to the jail will still receive a free visitation, but it will be conducted via video rather than in person.
All visitations can be pre-scheduled online at a time that is convenient for the visitor. Jail Commander Ernie Garcia noted that visitation times are currently planned around staffing levels and are often inconvenient for working family members of inmates. Under the new system, visitation will be available seven days a week and will include evening hours.
Clark explained that the new system is being installed at no cost to the county. The majority of revenues generated will be retained by the company that installed the video visitation system, but some will be returned to the sheriff’s office. It will also save the county money by allowing visitations by attorneys to be conducted via video. The sheriff noted that not only will jail staff time be reduced, but attorneys from the public and legal defenders offices will save a significant amount of time by being able to talk with inmates without leaving their offices.
Private attorneys will also be able to use the system, but will have to pay the same fees as other visitors. Clark noted that it still may save those attorneys money since they will not have to travel to Holbrook to visit with clients.
The system is expected to be functional by January, and Clark noted that he hopes it will continue to expand over time. For example, certain court hearings could be conducted through the video system, which would reduce staffing costs for the jail and save time for the courts.
“If we could expand it to judges to do some hearings, it would save a ton of time,” Clark said.
