Santa Cruz County Jail expands free video visits for families amid increased ICE activity

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its free video visits for people in the county jail for the next 30 days following increased enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the region. People in custody will have access to six complimentary video visits per week, according to a media release from the Santa Cruz County Office of the Public Defender. The average number of complimentary video visits is two.  The decision will allow for families who might be too scared to visit the county jail in person to remain connected to their loved ones in custody. The sheriff’s office negotiated the expansion with the video visitation provider “at no additional cost to the county,” according to the media release.  “We appreciate the Sheriff’s responsible, compassionate approach to keeping the people we serve connected to their families and natural support systems,” Santa Cruz County Public Defender Heather Rogers said in the release.