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Sheriff requests $3.25M amendment to inmate telecommunications contract; funds drawn from commissary
Summary
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff asked the committee to amend the Securus Technologies contract by $3.25 million to cover ongoing inmate telephone and video visitation services through the contract term; officials said funding will come from commissary revenue.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department asked the Public Safety and Justice Affairs Committee on Oct. 29 to authorize a $3.25 million amendment to its inmate telecommunications contract with Securus Technologies to fund phone, video visitation and related services through the current contract term.
Chris Costin, business services manager for the sheriff's department, told the committee the requested addition should cover expected spend through the contract term ending Sept. 6, 2027. He said funding would come from commissary funds. "This contract is for the inmate telecommunication services in the jail," Costin said; the department explained phone time purchases produce the only commissions remitted to the county, while video visitation at present has no fee.
Committee members asked operational questions. Councilman Miller asked whether the amendment paid for in‑person visitation; Costin replied there is no in‑person visitation currently — visits are handled through video at no cost. Interim corrections chief Nestor Rivera confirmed the current jail uses tablets and that inmates access them, although staff also noted vandalism and replacement needs.
Committee approved moving the amendment to full council under second‑reading suspension. The amendment was described as funded from the commissary account rather than general fund appropriations.
