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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
DATE: May 21, 2013
TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
FROM: Paul Lawson
SUBJECT: RFP Inmate Telecommunications Service
DEPARTMENT: Corrections
BCC DISTRICT: All
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Okaloosa County Department of Corrections requests
authorization to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for inmate telecommunications service and
to establish a selection committee which will review RFPs and make a recommendation to the
Board.
BACKGROUND: Florida Model Jail Standards require that inmates be provided reasonable
access to telephones and that they be afforded at least 2 hours visitation each week. Telephone
services are provided through a contract provider, Securus. Revenue generated by the phone
system accrues in the Prisoner Benefit Fund ($72,000 annually) and the General Fund ($309,000
annually). The Prisoner Benefit fund is used to fund 3 positions, (Population Manager,
Programming Manager and Commissary Operator) and to provide Religious, Educational and
Recreational programs. The current agreement with Securus expires September 30, 2013.
The Department of Corrections provides on-site visitation to all inmates each week. New
technology now provides for web-based video visitation for inmates and their families, friends
and attorneys by locating detention grade video visitation equipment in inmate housing areas.
This equipment would enable potential visitors to schedule visits via the internet at times and
from locations more convenient to them, and preclude the need for them to come on-site.
Adding this feature promises to bring additional revenue to the general fund, to reduce inmate
movement inside the facility and the amount of time invested to accommodate on-site visits.
We recommend the following county employees serve on the selection committee: Donna
Lawler, Systems and Networks; Bob Card, Information Systems Applications; Tammy Matthews
and Audie Beadle, Department of Corrections; Jack Allen, Purchasing; and a County
Commissioner at the Board's discretion.
OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Approval
RECOMMENDED BY:
APPROVED BY:
Ernie Padgett, County Administrator