In a move impacting families and friends of inmates, the Elmore County Sheriff's Office has announced a temporary suspension of on-site video visitation services. Taking effect immediately will last until February 6 as preparations begin to transition to a new video visitation vendor, disrupting those who often rely on the in-person touch of a screen to maintain connections with the incarcerated, according to Ellis County Sheriff's Office.
The shift comes without prelude, leaving behind the semblance of an explanation yet instilling an understanding that technology and bureaucracy are bedfellows, often more complex than the cords that bind us, the announcement was abrupt. While the cessation of on-site video visitations halted visits, the facility confirmed that remote visitation options are still available for those wishing to keep in contact with their loved ones.
The inconvenience this may cause to those who had planned visits is tempered by the possibility of still participating in remote visitations. However, the lack of immediacy characteristic of on-site communications may tax the patience of families, already stretched by the rigors of inmate separations.
As the Sheriff's office deals with the logistical switcheroo, the temporary gap in on-site video visitations stirs disquiet among those it affects, plans and rhythms of connection thrown asunder, altering how voices are shared and faces seen; the office did not elucidate on the specifics of the new system or how it would enhance the visitation experiences. Whether this new vendor will provide improved services, one can only speculate, but for the time being, remote visitation remains the sole thread linking the incarcerated to the world beyond their walls.
