Detention Center opens video visits

January 16, 2013

O-N-E photo by Heather Blanton

Sheriff Coy Reid announced today that the Catawba County Jail is launching a new inmate video visitation program.

Starting Dec. 17, 2012 the new HomeWAV system will allow family members and friends to schedule and conduct video visits with jail inmates using any suitable computer connected to the Internet. The new visitation system will expand available visitation hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week; previously visitation was only available three hours a day.

The video visits in the lobby have a 15 minute time limit, but if visitors access HomeWAV through their home computer the visit can last as long as the inmate and family see if. The program also allows for inmates to meet with their attorneys by using the video visitation, as well.

To read more of this story, pick up the Thursday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.