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HARVEY, La. —  The Jefferson Parish Jail will no longer allow friends or family members to visit their loved ones in jail.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto has introduced a new system for visitation. Visitors will be communicating through Skype, Facetime, or some other online video service.

Lopinto said the new policy will help to keep contraband out of jail and cut down on security risks.

He explained that inmates will be allowed video visitation once a week at the sheriff’s new visitation center at 1425 Walkertown Road in Marrero.

Up to three additional visits per day can be arranged through a remote service, like a cell phone app or computer.

All video visits will be monitored, just like they were when they were in-person visits, Lopinto said.

“This initiative is another step in using technology to enhance the services we provide to the community that we serve,” he said.

The video visitation begins Oct. 10.