By Debi Campbell, Detention Operations Manager, Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno, Nevada

The jail in Washoe County, Nevada, successfully piloted a web-based inmate visitation system that improves security, reduces visitor travel, and raises money for the inmate welfare fund. Visitors can access the system from their computers or from cell phones and tablet computers. After 2 years of use, the numbers of on-site inmate visits and web visits are about equal, and it is expected that web visits will continue to increase. Debi Campbell outlines how the system works, discusses some challenges in implementation, and highlights the benefits to the Sheriff’s Office, the inmates, and their families and friends.