Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Andy Skoogman, 612-919-5918
Hennepin County Sheriff Installs New Technology for Remote Inmate Visitations
January 26, 2021 (Minneapolis, MN) - Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson announced today that his office has installed new technology in the Hennepin County Jail that enables inmates to visit with family and friends remotely.
Many inmates have not had a social visit since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and the new system provides a safe, secure alternative to in-person visits. The Hennepin County Jail typically holds approximately 21,500 visits annually.
“We know that social interaction is critical to the mental well-being of people who stay in our facility,” Sheriff Hutchinson said. “Talking with friends and family on video is a good option to visiting in person while COVID-19 restrictions are in place.”
Sheriff Hutchinson said the system may also be a more affordable option than in-person visits once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. He cited the costs associated with coming to the jail during designated visiting hours, such as parking fees, public transportation fees, daycare expenses and lost wages from taking time off work. The new system is also convenient and cost-effective for visits by people outside the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota. Since the system went into service on January 19, 2021, the HCSO has hosted 215 video visits between inmates and their family and friends.
Inmates visit with friends and family from a terminal in their housing unit. Visitors simply need to download the free Securus Visitation app in the App Store or Google Play and can use any device, such as a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, if they have a high-speed internet connection. Visitors must create an account at www.videovisitanywhere.com and request access to visit at the Hennepin County Jail. Jail staff reviews the request and approves appropriate visitors. Once approved, a visitor can schedule remote visits online.
Each inmate is allowed one 20-minute remote visit per day from friends or family, up to 3 times per week. The cost is $4.00 for each 20-minute session. There is an introductory price of $2.00 per visit through March 31, 2021.
Friends and family can schedule visits with inmates 24 hours a day and the remote visits must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. Visitation hours are: 7 days a week from 10:30am – 4:00 pm and 7:00pm – 9:30 pm.
– HCSO–
Look for more news on
the Hennepin County Sheriff's website at http://www.hennepinsheriff.org.
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