2008 Conference INMATE VIDEO VISITATION. What Is It, Why Use It, And How!

Transcription

1 INMATE VIDEO VISITATION What Is It, Why Use It, And How! 1

2 Introduction AGENDA Video Visitation What & Why The How Types of Video Visitation Systems Video Visitation Components Un-Necessary & Costly Features System Examples Q & A 2

3 Video Visitation - What Is It? Required Features High quality Full motion Private audio Automatic Timers ADA Compliant Supports other applications Video Visitation is. The application of specific technology to replace the costly face-to-face visitation between an inmate and visitor without moving either participant to a common location at the facility. 3

4 Video Visitation - Why Use It? Survey says... Eliminate inmate movement from assigned areas Eliminate visitor movement through, or into, secured areas Reduce officer involvement & harm more... 4

5 Video Visitation - Why Use It? As an option record selected visitation conferences Reduce introduction of contraband Increase facility security Reduce bad visit confrontations Speed the visitation process Reduce administrative costs more... 5

6 Video Visitation - Why Use It? Admin Staff can setup visitation conferences Increase inmate visitation time due to non-movement of inmates Budget and Staffing Issues Saves Staffing Dollars Saves Construction Dollars 6

7 Types of Video Visitation Simple to Sophisticated Four Different Types Available Point to Point System Digital IP System CCTV Audio/Video Switched System Video PBX System Each Type Offers Different Levels of Capabilities & Cost 7

8 Point - to - Point Method (Tin Can Method) Inmate Booth 1 Visit Booth 1 Inmate Booth 2 Visit Booth 2 Inmate Booth 3 Visit Booth 3 CHEAP Simple Pros Cons CHEAP - Throw-away Technology Non-Expandable Fixed Point to Point only Not Flexible or Secured No Long Distance Connectivity No Multipoint Capability No Controls or Timers No Monitoring No System/Call Status Distance Restrictions

9 Digital IP (H.323) Method a.k.a Using PC s & Data Network Inmate Booth 1 Hub Switch Hub Visitor Booth 1 H.323 MCU Control PC Pros Any Point - to - Any Point Added Long Distance w/codec Call Controls/Status Expandable VGA Display features Some Multipoint with MCU Digital Solution H.323 Standards Based Best Method for Remote Visitation Router Cons Complex Infrastructure: Hubs, Routers, Switches Required Additional Equipment Needed for Multipoint PC/Windows based Daily Maintenance/Performance Issues Limited Flexibility (Monitoring/Recording) Inadequate Motion Features Partial Screen, Small Display Ethernet - Distance Restrictions Requires more staff to support More stations equals poor video quality Lawsuits Initiated By Inmates

10 CCTV Audio Video Switch Method Inmate Booth 1 Visit Booth 1 Inmate Booth 2 Visit Booth 2 Control PC Visit Booth 3 Inmate Booth 3 Pros Any Point - to - Any Point Call Controls/Status Expandable Full Motion Video Cons Limited Flexibility No secured conferencing for Attorney s Use Integration not available Separate Systems Designed for security applications All A/V Connections Are Separate (i.e. multiple cables) Multiple Cabling Plants Required Limited Application Expansion (different products) Distance Restrictions No UL or CSA Certifications

11 Video PBX Based Method Inmate Booth 1 Visit Booth 1 Inmate Booth 2 Visit Booth 2 Inmate Booth 3 Control PC Visit Booth 3 Pros Full Multipoint Capability Built-in Conference Calling Added Long Distance w/codec Utilizes Common NTSC Protocol Provides Secured Conference Call Controls/Status Automated Call Timers Inherent Expansion & Integration Easily Add Monitoring/Recording Single Cable/Connection Carries A/V Full Motion, Full Screen Video No Personal Computers Required Low Maintenance/High Reliability Supports Greater Distances Cons Text Messaging - Limited Not Digital / No Compressed Images

12 Types of Video Visitation Recommendations: Local : Consider either an Audio/Video Switch or a Video PBX based system! Remote: Consider IP connectivity to local selected switch. 12

13 Visitation Components Video PBX Choose a system that provides easy expansion capabilities! You are going to need them! Audio/Video Switch 13

14 Choose A System That Can Expand. Courts Courtrooms or Judges Chambers Defense Counsel Sidebar Station Remote Witness Video Visitation Video PBX Video Visitation Visitor Stations Inmate Stations Defendant Probation/Parole Office District Attorney Office Public Defender s Office

15 Visitation Components Use Premium Grade Peripherals Armored Cord Handsets Volume Control for Visitors Only Acceptance of Video Visitation by Visitors, Inmates and Staff is accelerated when high quality peripherals are used! Cameras with NTSC Signal Output Flat Panel TFT LCD Monitors Either 15 or 17 with NTSC Signal Input Mechanical Hookswitch for Visitor Side No Call Control Capabilities for Inmate Side 15

16 Visitation Components Visitation Control Software Easy to use Touch-screen Administrative staff can use Graphics and colors to indicate status and actions No programming required Sample Call Set Up Screen 16

17 Visitation Components VIDEO STATIONS Connect Station Peripherals Use only one CAT5 cable for video, audio & data Easy to Maintain or Replace Support other applications ADA Compliant No text or timer on screen 17

18 Visitation Components Wall Mounted Unit Wall Mounted Units Floor Mounted Stations 1. Choose Enclosures for Environment. 2. Congregate Where Possible to Minimize Conduit & Cabling Costs 3. Choose Correctional Grade Not Home Grown 4. Consider Standing Mount Wall Mounted Units with Privacy Panels Mobile Steel Unit

19 Un-Necessary & Costly Features Our Experience Has Shown: On-Screen Displays Call Push Button On-Screen Displayed Timers Magnetic Hookswitch Operator Audio/Video Injection 19

20 Un-necessary Features Consensus: OSD s are a very expensive feature which could present an opportunity for lawsuit. On Screen Displays Visitor Information Displayed on each Screen Issues: Non-ADA Compliant Limited Display Space Which Language Exclusion = Lawsuit Feature Price Tag? $ More Per Station 1. Do not damage the equipment. 2. Wait until you see the person before lifting handset. 3. The visitation period for each visitor is 30 minutes

21 Un-necessary Features Call Push Button What is this for? Consensus: The cost, security, and staffing issues will cause this feature to be deactivated after installation. Issues: Creates Security Issue Creates Staffing Issue Feature Price Tag? $ More Per Station 30 21

22 Un-necessary Features Consensus: An ADA compliant timer notification with both audible & visual features are the optimum way to notify the users of remaining time and expiration of visit. On Screen Timer Countdown Timer Displayed on each Screen Issues: Non-ADA Compliant No Holiday Flexibility Which Language Exclusion = Lawsuit Feature Price Tag? $ More Per Station 30 22

23 Un-necessary Features Consensus: Increase staff involvement warrants the use of a standard style hookswitch. Magnetic Hook- Switch Hookswitch Activates the Call and Timer Issues: Proper Repositioning by Visitor After Each Use Requires More Staff Time Service Time Increased Feature Price Tag? $50.00 More Per Station 23

24 Un-necessary Features Consensus: 1. Creating an unsafe situation for staff. 2. Stay focused on the monitoring of conferences Operator Interjection While Monitoring Visitation Conferences, Operator breaks into conference. Issues: Showing Picture of Staff Dangerous situation for Staff Why consult when cancel call available Feature Price Tag? $3, Per Location 30 24

25 Summary Pros for Inmate Automated Visitation means: ease of scheduling more visits longer duration visits fair share of visitation time No restrictions on visitors means: children minors Improved Inmate Moral Remote visitation capabilities Pros for Facility Reduced Administrative Costs Automated Visit Process No escorting inmates or visitors No scanning for contraband, weapons No Contraband, Drugs or Weapons No Confrontations Reduce Officer Involvement & Harm Improved Facility Security Expand to Other Uses Multi-point Connectivity Options

26 Need Some Proof? The majority of facilities expand the system beyond the initial visitation system to include other applications! JUST A FEW SYSTEM EXAMPLES 26

27 Shelby County Tennessee Memphis Tennessee Visitation System 72 Inmate Stations 61 Visitor Stations Courts Connected 22 Courtrooms-District & General Sessions Public Defender Office Connected Private Attorney Station Remote Hospital Ward Connected 27

28 Shelby County Tennessee I would like to introduce: Now for the Rest of the Story! Mr. Ed Raper, Manager Information Systems Shelby County Sheriff s Dept. Memphis, Tennessee 28

29 Shelby County Tennessee The Process Changes & Considerations Advantages Challenges What the Facility Does Differently 29

30 Q & A Session 30