VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Inmates in the Virginia Beach city jail now have access to tablets that allow them to video-chat, send pictures, watch movies and more.
Last week they rolled out 250 tablets among 1,400 inmates.
Jacob Carlson, 23, is the resident expert on tablets in his cell block. He showed 10 On Your Side how they work and what’s available on them.
In one week, he’s racked up about $200 worth of charges on video calls and games. “There’s like this skateboarding game — I got addicted to it. I spent like 20 some dollars playing it yesterday.”
There are lots of entertainment options for inmates on the secure network but the sheriff’s department says the main reason it got the tablets is for family visitation.
“I know that you don’t really think of inmates as being happy, but if they have an outlet, if they have a way that they can talk to the people that they love, go through their things, I think that makes their behavior better,” said Chief Deputy of Operations Victoria Thomson.
Tomson says it makes the jail safer. “You can’t twiddle your thumbs but so long before you venture into things you’re not supposed to do.”
And this is clearly something inmates and their families want to do.
The sheriff says there were twice as many video visits in the first week than there usually are on visiting day at the jail.
Families can call almost any time of day. It’s cheaper and easier for most, especially those out of state.
Carlson showed us a picture his girlfriend sent of his newborn niece born a week ago in Florida
There are rules on pictures exchanged — no gang signs or inappropriate dress, and conversations are recorded.
“It’s a very good privilege and they can very well come in here and take this from us if we don’t act right,” Carlson said.
That’s a big incentive for him to stick to the rules. “It’s made me feel better, like I’m more happier.”
A video visit costs about $3.50 for 15 minutes and 25 cents a text.
A sheriff’s department spokesperson estimates it’ll make about $750,000 a year. That will be used to offset the cost of running the jail.