BY G.F. GUERCIO, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Communications Tools Expand Inmate Possibilities Newer inventions are expanding the reach of inmate communications, connecting them with outside world as never before…and adding education, entertainment and ultimately providing opportunities to lessen recidivism.
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he way in which inmates communicate and interact with the rest of the population has changed and morphed into many modes and means of communication and offer much more than just connections to the world outside. Now entertainment placates, and educational avenues can help with the reentry process. All avenues lead to improved capacity to communicate and 22 CORRECTIONS FORUM • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
most facilities start with the visit. “The GTL visitation management system provides a way for correctional facilities to cut the chaos out of the visitation process, allowing for a more streamlined approach where the visitors schedule all visits online in advance,” says Brian Deuster, product manager, Video Initiatives at GTL. “This results in less wait time and less congestion in the visitation lobbies, and allows family members to plan their visits in advance knowing when they will start and when they will end their visit, eliminat-
ing the old first-come-first-served visitation method which included long lines and lots of waiting around.” This also makes the visitation process easier on staff and administration when they can see and plan for all upcoming visits, he says. The visitation management system is designed to manage and control all types of visitation including onsite visits, onsite video visitation, and remote video visitation allowing family members to choose to have a visit using their computer, tablet, or smartphone.
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