Abstract: The present embodiments describe methods and systems for intercepting unauthorized communications in a controlled-environment facility. Unauthorized communications may originate from contraband cell phones, for example. In an embodiment, attempted communications from the contraband communication device are intercepted by the facility communication systems. The attempted communication may or may not be connected or completed, depending upon facility rules, policies, and regulations.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide a controlled-environment facility communication system that provides regulated communication sessions between residents and non-residents. Via a supervisory system, a bypass may be authorized for exempting the communication session from various regulated aspects of sessions regulated by the communication system. For instance, a communication may be exempt from monitoring based on assertions that the communication is privileged. The communications system receives a request for a communication session with a non-resident at a first telephone number. If a communication session is authorized by a bypass authorization, the communication session is hosted, while exempt from the regulations specified by the bypass authorization. A monitoring system tracks the hosted bypass communication session by determining whether telephone numbers other than the first telephone number have been joined to the communication session.

Abstract: Systems and methods, which can provide for an indication of a privileged communication, are provided. A method, according to an embodiment, uses at least one processor of a communication server device. Addressee information of one or more addressee(s) of a communication, sender information of a sender of the communication, or a combination thereof is received. The sender information, the addressee information, or a combination thereof is compared to registered user information maintained in a database. The registered user information corresponds to registered users to or from whom privileged communications may be sent or received. An indication that the communication is privileged is provided when the sender information, the addressee information, or the combination thereof corresponds to respective registered user information maintained in the database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing a video conferencing session between a first device and a second device; extracting video information from video conferencing session data received from the second device; and identifying one or more known cues that have been added to the video information, wherein the known cues identify a third device as a source of the video conferencing session data. The systems and methods may add cues to outbound video information prior to transmission as video conferencing session data, wherein the added cues identify the first device as a source of the transmitted video conferencing session data. The systems and methods may generate an alert and/or terminate the video conferencing session and/or flag a video conferencing session record for further analysis when a known cue has been identified in the video information.

Abstract: An automated system is disclosed for detecting situations in which identical segments of conversation appear within two different recordings. The system automatically detects where within each of two audio recordings an identical conversation segment begins and ends, thus enabling detection of conversations where multiple prison inmates participated in a conference call.

Abstract: A visitation system provides visitation sessions between a resident of a controlled-environment facility and a nonresident, where the nonresident utilizes a personal wireless devices that connects to a wireless access point that may be accessible from a designated visitation area of the facility. A connection request from a personal wireless device of a nonresident is evaluated to determine the personal wireless device is authorized to interface with the visitation system, and whether the nonresident is authorized to communicate with the resident. If authorized, a visitation session between the resident and the nonresident is initiated with the nonresident participating via the personal wireless device. The visitation system may respond to a visitation session request from a registered personal wireless device by sending an access code to the personal wireless device.

Abstract: A communication device may be assigned to a resident of a controlled-environment facility. A data network interface of the resident device establishes a connection with a resident network via one or more network access points located within the facility. A tracking network interface of the resident device transmits location tracking signals received by location tracking devices located within the facility. The resident device connects with the resident network via the data network interface in providing services to the resident. During intervals when the resident device is not connected to the resident network via the data network interface, tracking network interface is used to transmit the location tracking signals.

Abstract: Controlled-environment facility resident contact tools for intelligent controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device interfaces may be configured to present a contact list of non-residents of the controlled-environment facility for a respective resident of the controlled-environment facility, to the respective resident. The interface may also present the resident an interface to input name and contact information for the contacts. Additionally or alternatively, the system may auto-populate the contact list for at least one resident. Messages, such as nudges for the non-resident to take an action with respect to the resident, such as make a deposit to a trust account of the resident, set-up a video visitation with the resident, or the like, are transmitted to the contacts, in the name of the respective resident.

Abstract: Systems or methods for collective purchasing by controlled-environment facility residents may employ a plurality of controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media devices, each associated with a respective controlled-environment facility resident. These devices, disposed within one or more controlled-environment facilities, may each present an interface for purchasing goods and/or services via the device. The devices may each offer, via the interface, an option to collectively purchase a single good or service by a number of controlled-environment facility residents and may accept an indication of partial payment from the resident associated with the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying individuals using contraband communications devices in a controlled-environment facility are disclosed. Wireless communications are intercepted using a plurality of access points positioned at different locations within the controlled-environment facility. All wireless communications are blocked in a first group of locations, and individuals assigned to the first group of locations are identified. Some or all wireless communications are allowed in a second group of locations. Individuals are identified as possible contraband sources if they move from the first group of locations to one of the second group of locations after wireless communications are allowed in the second group of locations.

Abstract: Providing video visitation with cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individuals may call for limiting functionality of a personal cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individual communication and/or media device, such as by an operating system of the personal device. The personal device may play audio and video, accept video communications in response to touching of a screen of the personal device, and establish a video communication in response to such touching of the screen. Providing the video visitation may also include receiving a request to initiate a video communication over the personal device with a cognitive and/or dexterity impaired individual, such as may be requested via a visitor communication and/or media device. Whereupon, an audible message may be played by the personal device, indicating the request, and the video communication between the personal device and the visitor device may be established in response to touching of the screen of the personal device.

Abstract: Controlled-environment facility resident electronic communications for controlled-environment facility resident communications and/or data devices disposed within a controlled-environment facility may employ a controlled-environment facility communications processing system, or the like. The controlled-environment facility communications processing system, may be configured to host controlled-environment facility communications access services and accept a Cross-Origin Request Sharing (CORS) request from a non-resident device. These CORS requests may be for access to the controlled-environment facility communications access services for use by a controlled-environment facility communications Application Program Interface (API) running on the non-resident device to communicate with one of the controlled-environment facility resident devices.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for regulating the use of virtual reality environments provided to residents of controlled-environment facilities. In response to a request for virtual reality programs from an inmate, the privilege status of the inmate is used to determine the available virtual environments in which the inmate may participate. The participation of the inmate within a virtual reality session may be restricted based on the privilege status of the inmate. Any limitations on an inmate's participation within an approved virtual environment may be enforced by restricting the behavior of an avatar representing the inmate within the virtual environment. The privilege status of inmates may be used to enforce restrictions that prohibit contact between certain inmates or certain classifications of inmates. The participation of inmates may be restricted and terminated based on a measured physiological responses to the inmate's participation in a virtual environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing, deploying, and/or providing location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device; receiving spacial information of the mobile device; and applying a rule to the visitation session based upon the spacial information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing location-based services for controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. The location-based services may be used to restrict the ability of residents to communicate with non-residents that are located within geographic areas defined with the location-based service, such as within a specified proximity of the facility. A resident of the controlled-environment facility requests a remote communication with a non-resident that is utilizing a mobile device, such as a cellular phone, smart phone or tablet device. The request for the remote communication may be allowed based, at least in part, upon the physical location of the mobile device as determined based on the location of cellular towers in use by the mobile device and based on a GPS (Global Positioning System) location provided by the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing privileged communications in a controlled-environment facility are disclosed. A privileged communication is received from a user via an online portal, wherein the user having been previously confirmed as having a privileged relationship with a resident of the controlled-environment facility, transmitting the privileged communication to the resident in a manner that prevents inspection by controlled-environment facility staff, and notifying the user when the privileged communication has been accessed by the resident. The privileged communication may be one or more of a document, an image, a text message, an email, a voicemail, or any other electronic or digital communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide the generation of signed recordings of audio and video calls. The signed recordings include information that may be used to verify the integrity of a purported copy of the recording. The recording may be generated by capturing the audio and/or video from a monitored communication and streaming the captured data to a recording. As the captured data is streamed to the media file used for the recording, a hash value is calculated for each segment of the received data. Information describing the context of the communication may be used to generate another hash value. A digital signature for the recorded call may be generated based on the two combined hash values. Operating in this manner, a signed recording of the communication may be generated while a recording of the communication to a media file is being made, rather than by post-call processing of a stored file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blocking, adding, and/or modifying video content in a video conference session are disclosed. A video conferencing session is established between a first device and a second device. Video conferencing session data that is received from the first device comprises only audio information. Video conferencing session data that is received from the second device comprises both audio and video information. Video content is added to the video conferencing session data from the first device before sending the video conferencing session data to the second device. The added video content is not captured from the first device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering video emergency services using Rich Communication Service (RCS) protocols are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include: receiving, at a 9-1-1 dispatch system, a 9-1-1 text message sent via a computing device using an RCS protocol, and initiating a 9-1-1 video communication with the computing device following the RCS protocol.

Abstract: A location-based analytics system provides tracking and visualization of individuals within a controlled-environment facility. A plurality of sensors, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) sensors, are located within the controlled-environment facility and detect individuals located within a first proximity to the sensors. An analytics system determines the identity of individuals detected by the sensors and reports the locations of the identified individuals. A user interface provides the ability to select the display of the location and movement of selected individuals of the identified individuals on a three-dimensional model of the controlled-environment facility. The user interface also provides the ability to select a three-dimensional representation for the selected individuals and various other aspects of the controlled-environment facility.