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CASE STUDY: Liberty County Jail

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Located in Hinesville, Georgia, Liberty County Jail’s mission is to serve citizens through dedication, professionalism, and cooperation in order to preserve peace, maintain order, and protect life by using proven law enforcement standards that respect individual dignity and rights. Beginning jail operations using HomeWAV on June 1, 2021, the facility houses an average of 230 inmates with a maximum capacity of 305 beds.

KEY FACILITY PARTNERS: Sheriff William Bowman, Chief Deputy Alfonza Hagan, Major Sascha Krumnow, Major David Edwards

CHALLENGES: Prior to his retirement, Major David Edwards wanted a solution that would help Liberty County Jail move forward to keep up with technological advances and resolve on-site visitation issues. With the burden on staff to move inmates back and forth, on-site weekend visitation oftentimes resulted in long visitor lines that stretched out the door. Then, early COVID-19 lockdowns halted the facility’s on-site visitation operations completely. Major Edwards and the sheriff’s department understood why an all-in-one inmate communications solution was critical moving forward, but they needed to find the right partner to deliver this type of system. Looking to resolve these on-site visitation issues, Liberty County Jail wanted a streamlined communication platform provided by an innovative partner to propel their facility into the future of remote video visitation.

CASE STUDY: Hendricks County Jail

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Located in Danville, Indiana, Hendricks County Jail’s mission is to provide a safe, secure, and constitutional detention facility in the most respectful, professional, and fiscally responsible manner possible. Hendricks County built a new jail facility that resolves previous infrastructure issues with the original, outdated linear jail that were difficult to manage. The new space occupies 168,000 square feet and features 54 HomePAS™ kiosks and 544 new ComPAS™ tablets in a building that houses 599 beds. Hendricks County Jail’s new facility was complete in October 2022, with administrative staff moving in initially. Full-service jail operations began in February 2023.

KEY FACILITY PARTNERS: Sheriff Jack Sadler, Chief Deputy Scott Larsen, Matron Ronda Elliott

CHALLENGES: Hendricks County Jail wanted a low-cost, all-in-one solution from an innovative inmate communications provider and sought out a new, reliable partner that would not charge a high price for state-of-the-art equipment. They were open to new options that would provide better inmate communications options and wanted to give a new company a chance to make a difference in their facility. After an informative presentation in which HomeWAV asked in-depth questions and showed genuine care about their needs, Hendricks County Jail selected HomeWAV as their partner on November 10, 2015. HomeWAV’s task was to deliver a solution to not only produce more revenue for the facility, but also to provide a much better, reliable service for inmates to connect with their loved ones.

HomeWAV Earns September 2023 Great Place To Work Certification™

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St. Louis-based inmate communications company receives certification for third consecutive year

ST. LOUIS, Mo., October 9, 2023 – HomeWAV, the leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication and technology solutions, is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the third year in a row. The prestigious award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at HomeWAV. This year, 83% of employees at HomeWAV say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation.

“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that HomeWAV stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified™ great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified™ workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, are twice as likely to be paid fairly, and have a fair chance at promotion.

“This award is a reflection of our commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported,” says HomeWAV CEO Morteza Sahebkar. “We are grateful for our employees’ hard work and dedication, and we are committed to continuing to foster a culture where everyone can thrive.”

WE’RE HIRING!

Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: https://www.homewav.com/careers/

About HomeWAV

Founded in 2011, HomeWAV LLC has remained the industry leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication and technology solutions to correctional facilities across the country. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, our all-in-one patented platform is the first of its kind to satisfy the growing demands in the correctional industry. Through our organizational pillars of Integrity, Innovation, and Impact, we are disrupting the industry standard by leading with fairness and developing transformative technology while keeping facilities safe and communities connected. For more information, visit HomeWAV at homewav.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Great Place To Work Certification™

Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

About Great Place To Work®

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List. Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Amanda Jasper
636.212.1859
a.jasper@homewav.com

HomeWAV Partners with Benton County Jail to Enhance Inmate Communications and Safety

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Company strengthens its presence in Missouri with the 17th facility partnership

WARSAW, Mo., September 26, 2023 – HomeWAV, the leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication solutions, is pleased to announce its recent partnership with Benton County Jail in Warsaw, Missouri. The collaboration brings advanced communication services to the facility, aiming to address the challenges faced by the county’s previous provider while enhancing safety and security for inmates and facility staff.

After evaluating various providers, the Benton County Jail, a facility with a maximum capacity of 100 beds, selected HomeWAV for its comprehensive offerings to upgrade its inmate communications system, including voice calls, video visitation, messaging, and tablets.

The facility completed installation of HomeWAV’s technology on July 28, with 11 HomePAS™ (Protected Access System) kiosks and 115 ComPAS™ (Portable Access System) tablets throughout the facility. This deployment allows inmates to stay connected with their loved ones and access essential communication services efficiently.

Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “Our goal is to provide for the safety and security of our detainees while providing them with the limited amenities they are entitled to. HomeWAV had the best offerings to assist us in meeting this goal.”

HomeWAV has gained prominence in the Missouri market, with Benton County Jail being the 17th facility to benefit from its all-in-one solution. The company’s dedication to outstanding customer service and robust product portfolio has positioned it as a trusted partner for correctional facilities across the country seeking to modernize their inmate communication and technology.

About HomeWAV

Founded in 2011, HomeWAV LLC has remained the industry leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication and technology solutions to correctional facilities across the country. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, our all-in-one patented platform is the first of its kind to satisfy the growing demands in the correctional industry. Through our organizational pillars of Integrity, Innovation, and Impact, we are disrupting the industry standard by leading with fairness and developing transformative technology while keeping facilities safe and communities connected. For more information, visit HomeWAV at homewav.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Amanda Jasper
636.212.1859
a.jasper@homewav.com

CASE STUDY: Phelps County Jail

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Located in Rolla, Missouri, the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department’s mission is to provide the highest degree of law enforcement possible to the citizens of Phelps County utilizing the resources that are made available to them. They pledge that they will serve with integrity, professionalism, dedication, competence, and character, and they will apply the laws of the State of Missouri equally to those they serve.

KEY FACILITY PARTNERS: Sheriff Mike Kirn, Lieutenant Joe Taylor, Sergeant Marvin Jackson

CHALLENGES:

Phelps County Sheriff’s Department knew their jail needed to bridge the gap between once-a-week visitation and anytime visitation to help ease the burden on facility staff and improve visitation options for inmates and their loved ones. They wanted to find an innovative inmate communications partner who could bring their vision to life through video visitation technology. HomeWAV’s modern technology was intriguing to Phelps County for its superior capabilities compared to other providers and its local proximity within Missouri. For these reasons, Phelps County decided to select HomeWAV as their inmate communications and technology solutions provider to improve facility operations within their jail through its complete ecosystem of services.

HomeWAV Enhances Inmate Communication and Education at Sangamon County Jail

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

IP communications company will provide tablets to revolutionize communication and education opportunities for inmates

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 14, 2023 – HomeWAV, a leading provider of secure inmate communication solutions, is pleased to announce its partnership with the Sangamon County Jail in Springfield, Illinois. This collaboration entails the implementation of HomeWAV’s innovative inmate communication system, which will revolutionize communication and education opportunities for inmates.

Sangamon County, with an average capacity of 327 inmates in its jail, has chosen HomeWAV as their comprehensive provider for a wide range of inmate services, including voice calls, video visitation, messaging, educational tools, entertainment, and off-site mail scanning. HomePAS™ (Protected Access System) kiosks will be strategically installed in each housing unit, while ComPAS™ (Portable Access System) tablets will be provided to all inmates.

HomeWAV’s cutting-edge technology enables inmates to have remote video visitation, allowing them to connect more frequently and easily with their loved ones. Furthermore, the incorporation of off-site mail scanning ensures enhanced security and efficiency in managing inmate mail.

Sheriff Jack Campbell states his office is moving to the next step in assisting jail inmates to work towards getting their GED, take college classes, and utilize other entertainment platforms while awaiting trial or completing their sentence. “It is imperative we provide inmates with the technology to assist them in becoming productive members of our society. In addition, we will provide entertainment platforms that will aid them by providing a distraction from their situation. By partnering with HomeWAV, we can provide opportunities they previously didn’t have.”

HomeWAV Chairman Jay Johnson recognizes the transformative impact of the partnership. “We are proud to deliver Sangamon County a comprehensive solution that surpasses market standards. Our advanced technology not only optimizes jail operations but also provides inmates with access to educational resources, enabling self-improvement and promoting positive connections with their support networks.”

At the forefront of HomeWAV’s offerings is the ComPAS™ tablet, which provides inmates with a versatile platform for voice calls, video visits, messaging, entertainment, and educational content. Through the tablet’s inmate education platform, inmates gain access to GED preparation materials, self-improvement courses, and a variety of academic subjects, offering valuable opportunities for personal growth and reducing recidivism.

“By providing tablets to the facility, the inmates will now have access to educational and self-improvement programming as well as messaging and entertainment features,” said HomeWAV Director of Strategic Accounts Jim DiCenso. “Our system is designed to give the inmates the opportunity for self-improvement
and education with the hope of reducing recidivism. Keeping the inmates busy with educational tools, religious materials, books, and movies will also cut down on violent and disruptive acts in the jail and make for a safer environment for everyone in the facility.”

The five-year partnership between HomeWAV and Sangamon County exemplifies HomeWAV’s commitment to revolutionizing inmate communication and education. Installation of the inmate communication system is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2023.

About HomeWAV

Founded in 2011, HomeWAV LLC has remained the industry leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication and technology solutions to correctional facilities across the country. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, our all-in-one patented platform is the first of its kind to satisfy the growing demands in the correctional industry. Through our organizational pillars of Integrity, Innovation, and Impact, we are disrupting the industry standard by leading with fairness and developing transformative technology while keeping facilities safe and communities connected. For more information, visit HomeWAV at production-www.homewav.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Amanda Jasper
636.212.1859
a.jasper@homewav.com

CASE STUDY: Ware County Jail

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Located in Waycross, Georgia, Ware County Sheriff’s Office’s goal is to be more interactive with the people they serve, continuously seeking ways to improve the organization and to build upon relationships within their community. The jail facility houses an average of 380 inmates with a maximum capacity of 511 beds.

KEY FACILITY PARTNERS: Former Sheriff Randy Royal, Sheriff Carl James, Captain Ralph Pittman

CHALLENGES: On weekends, Ware County Jail’s on-site visitation was in such high demand that the visitor line would wrap around the building. This popularity of in-person visitation caused the facility staff to be tied up nonstop, attending specifically to in-person visitation needs. This included constant transportation of inmates throughout the facility and created a hazard in overall safety. Looking for a way to safely and securely allow inmates to communicate with their loved ones but eliminate the challenges of weekend visitation, Ware County Sheriff’s Office searched for a partner to provide the ability to have remote visitation while keeping the lobby empty. As enticing as this notion already was, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it was obvious the jail needed an inmate communication and technology solution more than ever.

CASE STUDY: Macon County Sheriff’s Office

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

Located in Decatur, Illinois, Macon County Sheriff’s Office’s mission is to serve the community with a highly motivated, professional staff of individuals who strive to treat everyone with respect and courtesy. They work to create a safe environment for Macon County residents and visitors by preserving the peace and enforcing the laws. The men and women of the MCSO also volunteer their time and skills through community service to ensure that Macon County will be a better place to live for everyone. They are always working to do better for the people of Macon County.

Before 1989, the Macon County Jail was located above the Macon County Courthouse, which housed approximately 80 inmates. In 1989, the Law Enforcement Center was constructed, with the jail located on the second floor. When it first opened, it housed approximately 195 inmates. In 2001, the Bivens-Whitten Juvenile Detention Center, which is attached to the jail, was closed and the building was remodeled to house adult prisoners in 2006. After the remodeling, the current 92,000-square-foot jail houses up to 425 inmates, with an average of 300 inmates housed at a time.

KEY FACILITY PARTNERS: Sheriff Jim Root, Lt. Jamie Belcher, Lt. Clayton Barrows, Meghan Morey

CHALLENGES: Macon County Sheriff’s Office was not satisfied with their previous inmate communications provider. The previous provider’s equipment was continuously failing, and their customer service was lacking in quick, efficient response time and support. Eagerly searching for a more innovative, reliable, comprehensive solution with a company that could provide top-notch service and support, Macon County released a request for proposal (RFP) for new inmate communications and technology solutions. HomeWAV seized the opportunity to respond to the RFP, and Macon County felt the company was the best fit, selecting HomeWAV in March 2022 as their new partner to connect inmates with their loved ones.

HomeWAV Promotes Morteza Sahebkar to Chief Operations Officer

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New role reflects recent company growth and organizational changes

ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 14, 2023–HomeWAV, the leader in providing simple, secure inmate communication solutions, is excited to announce Morteza Sahebkar has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer.

Ranking second highest in the organization as Chief Operations Officer (COO), Morteza will oversee daily administrative and operational functions to support HomeWAV’s company vision and execute business plans. Morteza will be dedicated to attending to all internal affairs, serving as a supportive executive leader to continue empowering each department in strategic initiatives and business growth.

Recently, the Product Development, Product Operations, and Customer Service departments merged to become a unified Information Technology department to unify and streamline business operations by becoming more agile. Aligning with recent company growth and organizational changes, in addition to his previous direct reports, Morteza will also oversee Marketing, Accounting & Finance, and Human Resources. To ensure all operations continue running smoothly, Morteza will maintain his former role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as well.

HomeWAV Chief Operations Officer Morteza Sahebkar quoted Steve Jobs, saying, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Morteza went on to say it’s important to have a passion for what you do and to lead with enthusiasm. “When you love your job, you’re more likely to put in the effort and dedication required to achieve great results for the company you are working for. Stay determined and focused, and never give up on your goals.”

Joining HomeWAV in 2015 after graduating from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, Morteza was initially hired in an entry-level position as a Software Developer and served in various other roles until he was promoted to Chief Technology Officer in 2019.

“Morteza has been a significant contributor to growing the company since the first day he started,” said HomeWAV CEO/President John Best. “From organizational strategy, product design and development, company culture, and beyond, he even spent several months answering calls to help our customers. Morteza is the embodiment of our core values of integrity, innovation, and impact.”

About HomeWAV
Founded in 2011, HomeWAV LLC has remained the industry leader in providing safe, secure inmate communication and technology solutions to correctional facilities across the country. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, our all-in-one patented platform is the first of its kind to satisfy the growing demands in the correctional industry. Through our organizational pillars of Integrity, Innovation, and Impact, we are disrupting the industry standard by leading with fairness and developing transformative technology while keeping facilities safe and communities connected. For more information, visit HomeWAV at production-www.homewav.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Amanda Jasper
636.212.1859
a.jasper@homewav.com

Video Calls and Ice Breakers

Posted on by HomeWAV Media

How to Make Children’s Contact With Their Incarcerated Parents As Easy As Possible

Having an incarcerated parent or loved one is stressful for anyone — especially children. While there are resources for helping children with incarcerated parents that include the need for children to communicate with their parent (provided the child was not a victim of a crime and it is in the best interest of the child to do so), getting the conversation started can be difficult. No matter how close the child is to their loved one before incarceration, seeing them in-person or via voice/video calls can cause a child to become overwhelmed or shy. Often, the child does not understand how the relationship with the incarcerated parent should look.

Being prepared with ice breakers can improve children’s contact with their incarcerated parents by providing them with conversation starters that are easy for them to understand. 

Reassure the Child That They Can Discuss Their Lives and Ask Questions

To begin, it is important to note that children can often feel confused or embarrassed when talking about their outside lives to their incarcerated parent. They may feel embarrassed, ashamed, or conflicted regarding whether it is insensitive to share their lives when one parent is not capable of being there and is kept from the outside world.

Reassure them that it is alright and healthy to discuss their lives and that their parent wants to hear how they are doing.

Keep Track of Thoughts or Questions the Child Has

Kids are inherently curious. They will likely have questions that come up periodically about their incarcerated parent but will forget them when the opportunity arises to ask the parent themselves. 

Depending on the age and abilities of the child, you can keep a list of their questions on your phone or have them write their thoughts in a notebook. Reassuring them that they can ask their parent soon will help alleviate stress associated with not knowing when they will speak again, and they can be prepared with a list of their questions.

Encourage the Child to Show Off Their Talents

Studies show that when a child has outside interests and special talents — such as sports, art, dancing, or reading — it helps their confidence grow while a parent is incarcerated. Beyond praising and encouraging the child in their interests, they can showcase their talents to their incarcerated parent during video calls or in-person visitation. This will help excite them to show off and bridge the gap between the child and their parent to feel more connected and maintain a positive relationship.

If the child does not have outside interests, share pictures of projects completed at school. Save report cards, awards, or diplomas so they can be shared. Additionally, you can print these photos and send them to the parent if the jail allows, which helps children’s contact with their incarcerated parent while they are away.

Create Cards for the Parent

While this works best around holidays, there is never a bad time to create a card for a loved one. Have the child draw and decorate a card for the parent,  and spend some time allowing them to explain the card’s contents during voice or video calls. (If the jail allows you to bring in the card, this can also occur during in-person visits.) It can help break the ice and begin the conversation. Then, kids can send the card knowing the parent is already excited to receive it (plus, you can add those photos of things your child has been doing!)

Share a Favorite Story

Reading a story can be a great way to start a conversation between the child and parent. Whether you read the story to the child or they are old enough to read on their own, they will feel a sense of comfort sharing a familiar book, and can point out their favorite parts or discuss the plot and characters. From there, the conversation can expand by asking the child how they are similar to the characters, whether they have participated in specific activities outlined in the story, or asking them what they have learned from the book.

Sing Songs

While it can seem awkward at first, children feel a sense of security when singing with or being sung to by a parent. Singing a favorite or well-known song together can help soothe the child and make them comfortable enough to continue the conversation.

Understand That The Child’s Comfort Levels Will Change

Your child’s feelings toward communicating with their incarcerated parent may change over time. A previously chatty child may become suddenly shy, or they may only want to visit every other time. Whatever they are feeling is valid, even if it changes. Letting them know you accept their feelings will allow you to be a resource for children trying to navigate life with an incarcerated parent.

How HomeWAV Improves Children’s Contact With Their Incarcerated Parents

HomeWAV makes it easier than ever for children to have contact with their incarcerated parents. We provide families with access to video calls, voice calls, and messaging, with direct scheduling in an easy-to-use app. We strongly believe in the importance of families being able to foster relationships despite someone being incarcerated.  We hope to fight against the negative impacts having an incarcerated parent can have on children. View more features of our product, or contact us for support.