A group of inmates at Georgia’s DeKalb County jail recorded a hip-hop video using the facility’s video visitation system. The video, “Thuggin live from DeKalb jail” was posted on YouTube by the person who received the call, and features the inmates dancing, stripping off their shirts and waving a contraband lighter.
The sheriff told Atlanta news station WSBTV that the inmates will be punished and banned from using the system, along with the unidentified person who received the call.
Video visitation systems are being installed in an increasing number of American correctional facilities, especially in local jails. Although the idea is to allow inmates to have face-time with their loved ones, the implementation of video visitation has been controversial due to glitchy systems and high costs that must be paid by inmates. In some facilities, video calls have entirely replaced in-person visits, raising a national outcry.