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Commissioners approve video-visitation, inmate phone and commissary amendments
Summary
The court approved an agreement to provide inmate telephone/video visitation services (including tablets and reentry programming) with a contracted vendor and amended its commissary contract to align services; commissioners said the programs aim to meet state requirements and expand rehabilitative options without drawing from the general fund.
Coryell County Commissioners voted to approve a telephone and video-visitation services agreement for inmates and to amend the county’s commissary contract to consolidate services.
Sheriff’s staff described the proposal as a consolidation of inmate phone, video visitation and tablet services intended to deliver video visitation for families who cannot travel and introduce paid educational and reentry programming for inmates. Staff said the arrangement would include a three-week, 2,000-calorie state-approved menu, a dietitian review and options for special trays. The vendor was identified in the packet as the same company that currently provides commissary services; staff explained state and FCC policy changes that affect pricing and company obligations.
Commissioner Matthews moved to approve the inmate telephone and video visitation service agreement; Commissioner Taylor seconded and the motion carried. The court then approved an amendment to the commissary contract (also moved by Commissioner Matthews and seconded by Commissioner Basham). County staff said the contracts should produce limited budget exposure because many tablet programs and items will be paid by inmates, not the county.
Officials said the services will be structured to comply with state regulations and that staff will monitor pricing and program approvals going forward. The court recorded the votes by voice; both motions carried.
