Media

New Computer Improves Service For Jail Visitors

Release Date: November 29, 2004

A “touch screen” station has been installed in the lobby of the Shelby County Jail at 201 Poplar. Visitors now have “instant access” to information about inmates such as their court dates, bond amounts and visiting hours.

“We continually look for ways to make the jail a more efficient place. That’s vital to our visitors. This is just another way we’re improving conditions at the Shelby County Jail through the use of technology,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

The $5,000 computer station is available 24 hours a day. Until now, visitors to the jail had to talk with a clerk to get inmate information. That process often delayed visitors.

The new touch screen system will also make it easier for hearing impaired visitors. Although the new technology will help visitors get information more quickly, a clerk will still be available to answer questions.

The same information found in the jail lobby computer station is also available on line at the Sheriff’s Office website at www.shelby-sheriff.org under “Inmate Information.”

In the past two weeks, the touch screen has been used almost 500 times and the Inmate Info web query has been used more than 15,000 times.