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Jefferson County Commissioners recently greenlit an amendment to the comprehensive Inmate Technology Services Package for the Jefferson County Correctional Facility, Downtown Jail and Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Center to pave the way for the development of an application tailored for use by inmates, as well as community and family members.
The amendment secures a $60,000 technology grant from Smart Communications, earmarked for the design and acquisition of a digital application branded as the “Sheriff’s App,” reportedly designed to enhance communication with the community and facilitate easier interaction between families and inmates. Acting as a central hub, the app will offer access to services and vital information provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Public records indicate no upfront costs for the county in creating the application; however, there will be recurring expenses, covered by inmate welfare funds already allocated for such purposes. The app will be linked to the JSCO website, offering inmate services such as communication with family members, facilitating commissary transactions and scheduling appointments and services.
In November of last year, county-provided communication tablets were accessible to inmates seeking post-release services. Included in those services was a reference to a “really tough” halfway house, which turned out to be slums owned by inmate Billy Woolley, who was awaiting judgment on a string of felony allegations including sexual assault and theft. The tablets provided links to AA meetings, mental health services and halfway houses. According to Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens, a jail employee no longer serving in that capacity populated the services pages with material pulled from the internet, without permission from the sheriff or tablet provider. Stephens confirmed the inmate services tab no longer lists Woolley’s business as a referenced recovery provider.
The introduction of this new application reflects ongoing efforts to streamline services while prioritizing safety and security for both inmates and the public.
In nearby Jasper County, the Sheriff App made its debut this week courtesy of a similar development offering comparable features and services to those soon to be available in Jefferson County.