MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Justice Center is the first jail in the state to implement a new “Chirper” system for inmates. The system provides inmates text-only phones for rent so they can keep in contact with family, friends, and their lawyers while in custody.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard says the company the department works with for commissary, CPC, told county officials about jails in Indiana using the system and reaping the benefits.

Bullard says there is also a safeguard so inmates cannot text their victims or others who do not want to be contacted.

Bullard says the system is another way for the Sheriff’s Department to not have to rely on taxpayer dollars to run daily operations, and this money is unlike commissary money and can be used for anything in the Sheriff’s Department budget. He says the first priority for the department with the money from the new system will be to get new uniforms and equipment for the jail’s tactical team.