Government

Texas county to install video chat kiosks in prison cells

July 30, 2020

Kiosks will be installed in prison cells in Marion County, Texas to allow inmates to have video chats with visitors, according to a report in The Marhsall News Messenger. The governor has suspended visitations on account of the coronavirus.

The Marion County Commissioners Court, this week authorized Interim Sheriff David Capps to install kiosks in inmates' cells for video chatting.

NCIC Inmate Communications Inc., which handles the jail system's communications, has requested a two-year extension of its contract to install the kiosks, according to company representative Douglas Morgan.

The kiosks will also allow jail staff to convert inmates' medical requests and grievances to paperless files. The system also allows for messaging.

Morgan said the company is considering installing about 10 units, which will cost about $1,200 per unit. With the contract extension, this expense will be covered under the contract.

For an update on how the coronavirus has affected the kiosk industry, click here.