PUNTA GORDA, FL - The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office plans to sell advertisements on its new video visitation screens at the county jail in Punta Gorda.

According to Assistant Bureau of Corrections Commander Captain Earl Goodwyne, jail inmates and their visitors will be exposed to the ads, which will air for 2 minute intervals throughout the day. 

Ad rates will increase during prime visiting hours. Advertisers will pay 60 cents per showing.

The sheriff's office says ad space will be offered to "attorneys and other services of interest for inmates and visitors."

The sheriff's office claims that the ads have a potential audience of over 55,000 non-custody viewers annually. They believe the ads are the first of its kind in the nation.

Funds collected from this ad program are returned to the Inmate Welfare Fund.