Prison email improves communications for Vermont inmates

(AP) — Vermont's prison system is rolling out special email and video visitation services for inmates, which advocates and corrections officials see as a boon but are raising concerns in some states where they are already in place about the cost to prisoners and other issues.

Vermont inmates at a private prison in Michigan with which the state has a contract, as well as in-state prisons in Newport and St. Johnsbury, recently were allowed to begin using the new email system, said Mike Touchette, director of facility operations for the Corrections Department.

Inmates can go to a kiosk to use the system or can buy an electronic tablet that allows them to communicate with the system, which is run by JPay, a private company providing the prison email service.

Suzi Wizowaty, executive director of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform, a group that advocates for prisoners' rights, called the new email system a welcome development.

The new tools are not without their critics, who cite the costs, the fact that some jails are pushing to eliminate in-person visits in favor of video conferencing, and technical difficulties.