How to Visit a Jail

http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/


About Scott Henson
A former journalist turned opposition researcher/political consultant, public policy researcher and blogger.

•   Henson talks about how prisons in Texas are eliminating face-to-face visits. Texas jails are replacing the normal face-to-face visits with video camera voice chats instead. According to Henson, the reason for this switch is because of a contract with Dallas-based Securus Technologies to only allow video-based visitation. There are many who stand against these decisions in the state. One being Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia, stating, “It is very important that we do not profit on the backs of inmates in the jail”. Garcia, along with Judge Clay Jenkins, and other local leaders and activists helped to end a contract with Securus. 10 counties in Texas have already eliminated face-to-face visits, with many more considering the option, despite the effect it would have on the inmates.

•   I believe Henson did a great job on commuting the problems and issues that our local state prisons are facing. The only real complaint that I would have about his approach is if he was truly doing an informative blog, to back off the bias statements. He states the information clearly and from what i can deter, honestly, but he is attacking the video-based system too much. Where as he supports the face-to-face argument a bit too strongly. A truly informative blog would not be biased to fit the opinions of one side or the other. It should state it's facts clear and steady so as to present the most information possible. I feel that I am not getting enough information from this blog to form my own opinions on the matter. Therefor creating distant between the reader and the author.