Inmates at the Roanoke County-Salem Jail were introduced this week to a new method of speaking with family and friends. On Monday, the jail unveiled its video visitation system, which uses video cameras and monitors for inmate visits instead of glass partitions and telephone handsets.

Roanoke County Sheriff Mike Winston said the system cost about $161,000, was paid for by grants, and would enhance jail efficiency.

"Prior to this, a visitor would come in the door, be logged in," Capt. Barry Taylor said. "The inmate would then be called from his cellblock. They'd have to be logged off the floor by the department. They'd have to be patted down and searched. They were placed on an elevator and brought down and walked to the visitation booth. Then that process would have to be reversed" after the visit ended.

Taylor said with the new system, inmates remain in their cellblocks, which reduces both movement around the jail and the number of man-hours required for visits.

"This will increase our visitation times and allow the families more opportunities," he said, adding it will increase visiting hours from 12 hours a week to 63.

"This is something that's state of the art, going nationwide. A lot of correctional facilities are doing it," he said.

The five visitor and 14 inmate stations are in the lobby of the jail. Portable stations are also available that can be used when inmates are in medical cells. Visitors will still be required to present photo identification at the jail.