COLUMBUS — With the move toward video conferencing, it was just a matter of time before something like this happened.
In Columbus, at the Bartholomew County Jail, family and friends will now be able to visit inmates without leaving home.
It begins Monday, according to Sheriff Matthew Myers. "The new HomeWAV system is easy, accessible and affordable and will allow family members and friends to schedule and conduct video visits with jail inmates," said Myers. HomeWAV can be used for voice calls, video calls and video messaging.
“Video visitation makes it even easier for people to connect with family and friends”, said Major John Martoccia, Jail Commander.
It's not free. Telephone calls are 20-cents per minute. Remote video visits are 30-cents per minute. Video messaging of up to 500 characters is 50-cents per minute.
The new service was already in the planning stages when the pandemic put a temporary halt to jail visits just about everywhere.
It will still be possible to go to the jail in downtown Columbus and visit an inmate over a video system there, at no cost.
