Galveston County Jails Starts to Use Video-Chatting Pods for Inmate Visits

The Galveston County Jail is the first to provide video visiting for its inmates, jail officials said.

Maj. Mike Henson says the process greatly reduces long lines of visitors at the county jail and the need for deputies and detention officer escorts. 

There are 52 pods for visitors who want to speak with inmates for a 20-minute period, officials said.  Inmates remain in their secured area during the visits.

Local attorneys tell FOX 26 the video visits are great. Attorney Jeth Jones says instead of spending half his day in the jail visiting multiple clients, he's in and out.

There are mixed reviews from family members of inmates who have used the system.

Sandra Kendrick tells FOX 26 she'd rather see her son face-to-face through the traditional glass window.  However, Kendrick said she admits she saves a lot of time with the new process that began when the new Galveston Jail opened two years ago.

Click here to see the full video story by FOX 26's Isiah Carey.