JPAY DECIDES VIDEO VISITATION IN IDAHO PRISONS IS NOT VIABLE - LEAVING PRISONERS IN THE DARK AGES OF COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
According to a CenturyLink representative, JPay has decided not to implement video visitation throughout the IDOC, not because of any technology, bandwidth or other insufficiencies, but because the price that would be charged per 30 minute contact would be prohibitive.
In a January 2019 conversation, Kris Coleman of CenturyLink stated that while the testing of the video visitation (what civilians know as face timing, Skyping or a video call) in a limited number of IDOC facilities was successful, JPay has decided that the cost of $6 per visit would prohibit the volume of such calls to make the venture viable for the company. Previously, JPay, through CenturyLink had stated that bandwidth at most facilities was insufficient for video calls. "Bandwidth isn't a problem at all," said Coleman, "there is more bandwidth available than we could possibly use."
With 30 minute inmate telephone calls in Idaho costing between $3.57 and $25 depending on how and to where the call is made, how can JPay envision IDOC prisoners not using the video calling service where friends and loved ones are too far away or have an inability to travel due to age or financial pressures? Many prisoners have received no visits or seen loved ones in years, sometimes decades, and would certainly welcome (and pay) for what is for Jpay and the rest of the world virtually free communications. Their position is absurd.
While video visitation should never replace contact visiting, video visitation would, by its availability, likely reduce the number or frequency of contact visits, and would help strengthen friend and family bonds - a philosophy that the IDOC itself identifies as a means of reducing recidivism.
The IDOC should not only approve of, but contractually REQUIRE JPay to make video visitation available at all medium and maximum security facilities, and at a cost to make video calling not only viable, but a preferred means of communication and visitation by prisoners and their families.
To communicate your concerns or opinions to the IDOC on this matter, email the newly appointed IDOC Director, Josh Tewalt at jtewalt@idoc.idaho.gov and let him know how much video visitation in Idaho would mean to you and your family, or contact newly elected Governor Brad Little's office in Boise.
In a January 2019 conversation, Kris Coleman of CenturyLink stated that while the testing of the video visitation (what civilians know as face timing, Skyping or a video call) in a limited number of IDOC facilities was successful, JPay has decided that the cost of $6 per visit would prohibit the volume of such calls to make the venture viable for the company. Previously, JPay, through CenturyLink had stated that bandwidth at most facilities was insufficient for video calls. "Bandwidth isn't a problem at all," said Coleman, "there is more bandwidth available than we could possibly use."
With 30 minute inmate telephone calls in Idaho costing between $3.57 and $25 depending on how and to where the call is made, how can JPay envision IDOC prisoners not using the video calling service where friends and loved ones are too far away or have an inability to travel due to age or financial pressures? Many prisoners have received no visits or seen loved ones in years, sometimes decades, and would certainly welcome (and pay) for what is for Jpay and the rest of the world virtually free communications. Their position is absurd.
While video visitation should never replace contact visiting, video visitation would, by its availability, likely reduce the number or frequency of contact visits, and would help strengthen friend and family bonds - a philosophy that the IDOC itself identifies as a means of reducing recidivism.
The IDOC should not only approve of, but contractually REQUIRE JPay to make video visitation available at all medium and maximum security facilities, and at a cost to make video calling not only viable, but a preferred means of communication and visitation by prisoners and their families.
To communicate your concerns or opinions to the IDOC on this matter, email the newly appointed IDOC Director, Josh Tewalt at jtewalt@idoc.idaho.gov and let him know how much video visitation in Idaho would mean to you and your family, or contact newly elected Governor Brad Little's office in Boise.