Abstract: The Controlled Environment Media And Communication System delivers communications services to residents of controlled facilities using a common network architecture. Some of the communications capabilities of the Controlled Environment Media And Communication System include media distribution, video visitation, intra-facility messaging, and other such communications services.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile correctional facility robots and systems and methods for coordinating mobile correctional facility robots to perform various tasks in a correctional facility. The mobile correctional facility robots can be used to perform many of the tasks traditionally assigned to correctional facility guards to help reduce the number of guards needed in any given correctional facility. When cooperation is employed among multiple mobile correctional facility robots to execute tasks, a central controller can be used to coordinate the efforts of the multiple robots to improve the performance of the overall system of robots as compared to the performance of the robots when working in uncoordinated effort to execute the tasks.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a visual content gallery within a controlled environment are disclosed herein. A content gallery server receives a content submission from an inmate device within the controlled environment. Further, the content gallery server determines that the content submission does not include prohibited content based on comparing the content submission to a blacklist of prohibited information. When the content submission does not include prohibited content, the content gallery server adds the content submission to a network accessible content gallery corresponding to an inmate associated with the inmate device. Further, authorized friends and family of the inmate may view the content submission and provide comments on the content submission.

Abstract: Video conferencing in a controlled environment facility entails significant security concerns. These concerns are even more prevalent in a system that permits residents of such facilities to communicate via their own personal devices. Therefore, in order to alleviate these concerns and provide a secure system in which a resident is able to make video calls using their personal device, a kiosk unit is provided to which the personal device must be linked for completing a video call. When making the video call, the camera and display on the personal device are disabled, and all video data is captured and displayed by the kiosk unit. The link between the kiosk unit and the personal device facilitates the exchange of the image information for transmission to the outside party, or display to the user. By providing a fixed camera, and disabling the personal device camera, security can be maintained while permitting video calling services.

Abstract: A system and method for securely dispensing medication are described herein. The system includes a telemedicine center that communicates with medical assistant station and a medication distribution station located at a correctional facility and a physician center remote to the correctional facility. The medical assistant station transmits a request for medication to the telemedicine center. The telemedicine center verifies an identity of the medical assistant requesting the medication and transmits the request to the physician center. When the telemedicine center receives a confirmation to dispense medicine from the physician center, an identity of the physician transmitting the confirmation is verified. The telemedicine center then verifies an identity of an inmate to receive the medication, by way of the medication distribution station, and allows the medication distribution station to dispense the medication.

Abstract: The growing problem of contraband devices being smuggled into a correctional facility raises both security and safety issue. General fixed contraband detection systems are not cost effective because they require a high up-front cost and high maintenance, training and upgrade cost after installation. The present disclosure provides details of a system and method to detect and control the usage of contraband devices in a correctional facility cost effectively. Such a system is portable and can be relocated to different locations. Such as system both detects contraband devices and disrupts the operations of the contraband devices. Such a system further provides a report on the severity of contraband usage to the correctional facility.

Abstract: A dual-mode mobile device and a method for coordinating calls for the dual-mode mobile device over a first and second connection within a controlled environment is disclosed. The method includes communications between a monitoring server and the dual-mode mobile device over the first connection while the dual-mode mobile device conducts the call over the second connection. The monitoring server transmits control messages to the dual-mode mobile device to control operations of the dual-mode mobile device and establishment of the call and also monitors operations of the dual-mode mobile device as well as the communications transmitted and received by the dual-mode mobile device during the call.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for a communication device for guards in controlled environments. The communication device is established based on an indoor wireless infrastructure in the controlled environment, receiving wireless positioning signals to calculate and determine the real-time location of a user carrying the device. The indoor wireless positioning can be combined with other available positioning methods to provide highly accurate positioning information of the guard. The communication device detects, monitors, and records activities of the guard during a period of time, and is controlled by the control center. The control center and the communication device respond quickly to different abnormal situations. In addition, the communication device detects contraband electronic devices and monitor surroundings of the guard.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated monitoring of inmate telephone calls as well as multi-modal search, retrieval and playback capabilities for said calls. A general term for such capabilities is multi-modal audio mining. The invention is designed to provide an efficient means for organizations such as correctional facilities to identify and monitor the contents of telephone conversations and to provide evidence of possible inappropriate conduct and/or criminal activity of inmates by analyzing monitored telephone conversations for events, including, but not limited to, the addition of third parties, the discussion of particular topics, and the mention of certain entities.

Abstract: An incoming communication processing system and method is disclosed for providing communication and data services to residents of a controlled facility. Specifically, the incoming communication processing system allows outside parties to initiate communications to residents of a controlled facility. The incoming communication processing system may work in conjunction with or separately from an outgoing communication processing system. Many restrictions and safeguards may be implemented within the incoming communication system in order to prevent improper use.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating a personalized virtual reality session via a virtual reality communication system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The system includes a profile subsystem configured to store an inmate profile of the inmate of the controlled environment. The system also includes a virtual reality subsystem that retrieves the inmate profile associated with the inmate from the profile subsystem, initiates the virtual reality session involving a first communication device used by the inmate of the controlled environment, and personalizes the virtual reality session based on the inmate profile. The system also includes a communication subsystem configured to transmit information related to the virtual reality session to a monitoring system.

Abstract: A wearable device and method for operating the wearable device in a wearable device communication system in a controlled environment is disclosed. The wearable device includes at least one module configured to customize an inmate interface on the wearable device based at least in part of an inmate profile and an administrative rule. In some embodiments, the inmate interface is a keyboard. The wearable device also includes additional modules that enable the wearable device to monitor information regarding at least one of the inmate of the wearable device and the physical environment in which the wearable device is located.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for preventing a restricted individual from operating a motor vehicle. The system monitors a speed of the individual via a smart device associated with the individual. The system activates a monitoring function based on a detected speed of the device, which may evidence the individual riding in a motor vehicle. The system them verifies that the user of the device is the restricted individual through a variety of different identification methods. Once identified, the system accesses various data sources associated with one or more ride applications running on the smart device in order to determine whether the restricted individual has requested a ride from a third party during a relevant time period. After analyzing the data, a determination is made as to whether the individual is driving, or whether more information is needed.

Abstract: A system for customizing time limits for inmate communications in a correctional facility is disclosed. The system includes a profile subsystem that stores an inmate profile of the inmate and a communication processing subsystem comprising one or more processors configured to receive data of an inmate communication of an inmate, identify a type of communication device of the inmate and a call recipient of the inmate communication based on the data of the inmate communication, retrieve the inmate profile of the inmate form the profile subsystem, identify a plurality of behaviors of the inmate based on the inmate profile, determine a time limit based on at least one of the type of communication device, the call recipient of the inmate communication, and the plurality of behaviors of the inmate, and assign the time limit to the inmate communication of the inmate.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing electrical charge to residents of a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a charging station may be provided in an area accessible to an inmate to allow charging of in an inmate smart device, such as a phone or tablet. In an embodiment, a portable charger may be provided to an inmate for charging a smart device.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an apparatus and methodology for monitoring for the occurrence of use of unauthorized telecommunications equipment within a designated area. The present subject matter has particular utility to the corrections environment in that it discloses a methodology for detecting and reporting the unauthorized operation of cellular telephones within a corrections facility. The present technology may be used advantageously in combination with inmate telephone systems to transmit information to appropriate personnel in the form of email messages and/or voice communications by way of telephone local or corrections facility external telephone lines. The present technology also provides for recordation and storage of time, date and location information for detected events.

Abstract: The Controlled Environment Media And Communication System delivers communications services to residents of controlled facilities using a common network architecture. Some of the communications capabilities of the Controlled Environment Media And Communication System include media distribution, video visitation, intra-facility messaging, and other such communications services.

Abstract: A system for detecting inmate to inmate conference calls in a correctional facility is disclosed herein. The system includes a database and a conference call detection server, wherein the conference call detection server is configured to monitor a plurality of inmate communications, convert an audio signal of each inmate communication to a frequency domain signal, identify frequency data comprising one or more frequency peaks and corresponding frequency values in the frequency domain signal for each inmate communication, generate a record comprising the frequency data for each inmate communication, resulting in a plurality of records, store the plurality of records in the database, detect an inmate to inmate conference call by matching a frequency subset of a new inmate communication with frequency data in a detected record in the database, and verify the inmate to inmate conference call by matching audio with voice biometric samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secure communication between an inmate and an outside user are disclosed. In various aspects, account information of both the user and the inmate is stored. A message transmission is received from a first device that includes a header portion and an encrypted payload portion. The system verifies that confidential communication between the inmate and the outside user is permitted based on the header portion and the stored account information. Once verified, the message is transmitted to a second device without decrypting the payload portion of the message.

Abstract: A system is described herein that facilitates the easy scheduling and conducting of prison visitations. The system provides a remotely-accessible means for visitors to authenticate themselves, check the availability of those they wish to visit, and schedule a visit with that individual. As part of this process, the system tracks the availability of prison inmates as well as the devices and visit sites that are available to those inmates. In this manner, the system can quickly identify the availability of different inmates in order to provide on-demand scheduling capabilities to potential visitors. The system is connected to multiple facilities as well as public networks, and therefore can be remotely accessed. Additionally, the system also functions to monitor visits while they are in progress, as well as to store visit recordings for future review. Because the system is networked, remote monitors can access the review system in order to monitor visits or review recordings.