A new video visitation system at the Navajo County Jail is now operational and saving the sheriff’s office time and money, according to Sheriff KC Clark.

“We were doing about 400 visits a month, and I think we do more now,” Clark said. “That’s 400 inmate movements, and every time we move someone there’s a risk and it’s time-consuming.”

Under the new system, inmates can complete a visit from their pod so there is no need for sheriff’s office staff to move inmates to and from the visitation area. Visits can also take place any day of the week instead of being limited to days and times when sufficient staff was available.

Clark explained that video visitation has become the nationwide standard, but it has taken Navajo County some time to implement it due to the cost.

“I like to be first, but we’re one of the last. Years ago it cost nearly half a million dollars and we couldn’t afford it, but now we found a company to install it at no cost to the county,” he explained.

The cost to use the system is 50 cents per minute, a rate, according to Clark, that is much lower than most other counties. He also noted that depending on the driving distance, video visitation is still less than the cost of fuel to travel to the jail. He noted that in-person visits are still free, but will also be conducted via the video system.

“My stance is, if it’s good enough for our military service members, it’s good enough for our clients,” Clark said.

He also pointed out that the video system allows visits to take place from anywhere there is an Internet connection, so families across the state or the country can visit with inmates. In addition, children can have the opportunity to visit with parents without coming to the jail.

“We didn’t start this to make money. It’s to save the county money,” he said. “Now you can save gas money, sit in the comfort of your own home, a child can visit, and you can visit as many times a week as you want.”

The money generated by the video system will be placed in a special fund that can only be used for inmate programs and services, such as education and treatment.

“It has to benefit the inmates,” Clark stated.

The visitation system can be accessed through any computer with a camera and Internet connection, but Clark noted that he is also working on a plan to install kiosks throughout the county for families who may not have easy access to a computer or the Internet. He hopes to soon have kiosks operational in Show Low, Whiteriver, Dilcon, Piñon and Kayenta.

Clark has also been working with the probation department and the courts to expand the system to be used for emergency judicial hearings and certain types of probation visits.

“There are lots of ways we can expand the system,” he said. “If we can keep the inmates in the pods and don’t have to move them, it saves time and money.”