Tech features coming to county jail

Deposits to inmates’ accounts will be made through kiosk in jail lobby

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Jail is going high-tech.

Two changes in store later this month including one that will improve the public’s ability to access information on individuals confined at at the jail in a pre-trial status and those with sentences of fewer than 180 days.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Friends or family members of those confined at the jail will be able to deposit money into the machine and the same amount, minus a $3.50 transaction fee, will be applied to the inmate's jail account.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Friends or family members of those confined at the jail will be able to deposit money into the machine and the same amount, minus a $3.50 transaction fee, will be applied to the inmate’s jail account.

Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. said Friday that starting on or about Aug. 12, a new automated phone system will allow the general public access to important information related to confinees’ information, including charges, bond amount, visitation dates, how to send money and how to put money into an individual’s account.

The phone number is 910-997-8264. The system is offered by Securus Technologies to the sheriff’s office at no cost, said Clemmons and Lt. Brian Mabe.

Another change in August, starting on or about Aug. 18, will activate the ATM-like kiosk now inside the lobby of the Richmond County Jail. Friends or family members of those confined at the jail will be able to deposit money into the machine and the same amount, minus a $3.50 transaction fee, will be applied to the inmate’s jail account.

Mabe said this is in order to cut down on contraband getting into the jail from outside sources. Clemmons said it also frees up sheriff’s office staff and prevents any potential abuse of the current cash-based system. Clemmons noted there has not been any known recent attempts to abuse the system.

The software within the kiosk is updated every 15 minutes, Mabe said, so the potential for a family member or friend to deposit money to a confinee’s account that is no longer housed at the jail is unlikely.

Clemmons, who is running for re-election against Republican challenger Bo Frye in the Nov. 4 general election, said both technological upgrades are keeping with his campaign platform in 2010.

 

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