Abstract: Systems and methods for developing, deploying, providing, and/or operating location-based services for controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving, from a resident of a controlled-environment facility, a request to establish a remote communication with a mobile device operated by a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility. The method may also include allowing or denying the request depending, at least in part, upon a physical location of the mobile device at the time of the request to establish the remote communication and subsequent monitoring during the allowed communication. The method may also include terminating an allowed remote communication based on the monitored location of the mobile device during the remote communication. In some cases, the method may also include comparing an indication of the physical location with a geo-fencing rule and taking a predetermined action in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inbound calls to controlled-environment facility resident media and/or communications devices may receive, via the device, data associated with the resident operating the device. Authentication of the resident operating the device may be verified as associated with an address identifier of the device and it may be confirmed that an inbound calling non-resident is associated with the address identifier. A notification of the inbound call may then be sent to the device, and the same or other data associated with the resident operating the device may be received, via the device. Authentication of the resident operating the device as a resident as associated with an address identifier may be re-verified using the same or other data and the call connected as a result of the verification, confirmation and/or re-verification.

Abstract: Systems and methods insert a modulated signal into audio of a controlled-environment facility resident's side of a call, such as by a controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may detect the same and/or another modulated signal inserted into the audio of the same and/or another controlled-environment facility resident's side of the call in the audio of an other party's side of the call. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may determine if more than one modulated signal is present in the other call party's side of the call and alert an authority that more than one controlled-environment facility resident is taking part in the call.

Abstract: Delivery of video to controlled-environment facility residents via podcasts may include accepting a digital video file or series of digital image files, such as from a non-resident, indicated as directed to a resident of the controlled-environment facility. Such video or image files may be uploaded, such as by the non-resident, via a provided user interface. The video file or series of digital image files are converted into a podcast. The podcast is cached in controlled-environment facility content server storage and the resident is notified of availability of the podcast. The podcast may be streamed and/or downloaded, within the controlled-environment facility, to one of the controlled-environment facility resident media devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating family communications in a controlled-environment facility. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request for an electronic communication between a resident and a non-resident of a controlled-environment facility, identifying that the non-resident is the resident's child or parent and, in response to the identification, enabling a family counseling provider to access the electronic communication.

Abstract: Providing video mail to and from residents of controlled-environment facilities may include presenting a resident or non-resident a user interface and receiving a selection to send video mail. Whereupon, the user may be offered a selection to either upload a video or image or to capture a video or image. A selection by the user is accepted and in response to a selection to upload a video or image file, the user may be presented a file selection interface to enter a video or image filename and/or browse for a video or image file. In response to a selection to capture a video or image, the user may be presented a video or image capture interface for capturing the video or image, such as by using a camera of the host device. The selected or recorded video or image may then be uploaded and presented to the recipient for viewing.

Abstract: Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing emergency communications within controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a communication platform. The communication platform may be configured to, in a first mode of operation, enable communications between devices (e.g., telephones, etc.) operated by residents (e.g., inmates, etc.) of a controlled environment facility (e.g., jail, prison, etc.) and devices (e.g., telephones, etc.) operated by non-residents of the controlled environment facility. The method may also include switching the communication platform from the first mode of operation to an emergency mode of operation. In the emergency mode of operation, the communication platform may be configured to enable an emergency communication from a first device operated by a resident of the controlled environment facility to a second device controlled by emergency response personnel (e.g., hostage negotiator, counselor, police officer, etc.).

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: Systems or methods for managing transactions within a controlled environment facility provide an information management engine integrating transaction functionality for establishing an account associated with a resident of the controlled environment facility, and use the information management engine to conduct transactions associated with residents of the controlled environment facility. The transactions include at least distant deposits into the account by a party outside of the controlled environment facility. The systems or methods accept requests from the resident and facilitate the request for deposit. The systems or methods may place calls to the individuals outside the controlled environment facility or to interact with the individual. During such calls a deposit request may be made and the deposit accepted.

Abstract: Inbound call processing systems and methods for processing inbound calls to controlled-environment facility resident media and/or communications devices employ an inbound resident call server configured to host inbound calling accounts established by non-residents, receive inbound calls from the non-residents, route the inbound calls to an authenticating server, confirm that the resident device is active, and connect the inbound resident call system with the resident device if active or inform the non-resident the resident is not available if not. The inbound resident call server also connects the non-resident inbound call with the resident device if the non-resident is associated with the inbound calling account, the inbound calling account is associated with an address identifier of the resident device and the resident's personal identification number is associated with the address identifier of the resident device, all of which may be authenticated by the authenticating server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to use of biometric identification during a call for detecting an anomaly occurring in the call, such as a change in the parties participating on the call. Communication between parties of a call is monitored and biometric identification is performed using the communication. According to one exemplary embodiment, biometric prints, such as voice prints, face prints, etc., are obtained for parties that are authorized to participate on a call. The call is then monitored and biometric data (e.g., audio, video, etc.) captured from communication during the call is compared with the biometric prints of the authorized parties to detect changes in the parties participating on the call, such as a new, unauthorized party joining the call. Thus, a call processing system can detect anomalies occurring during monitored calls, such as three-way calling, a handoff of a call, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for providing advertisements to the parties of a communication, such as a telephone call or a video conference. A calling party agrees to view or listen to an advertisement in exchange for communications services, such as a telephone call. A called party may also agree to view or listen to an advertisement in order to receive a call. After an advertisement is broadcast to the calling and/or calling parties, a call connection is completed between the parties. Alternatively, audio and/or video advertisements may be broadcast during a call connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual communication device interfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving identification from a resident (e.g., an inmate or prisoner) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail or prison) and authenticating the resident based upon the identification. The method may also include retrieving, from one or more of a plurality of electronic information sources over a computer network, information associated with the resident. The method may further include subjecting the information to a security protocol, the security protocol configured to identify a first portion of the information that is suitable for disclosure to the resident and a second portion of the information that is unsuitable for disclosure to the resident. The method may then include withholding the second portion of the information from the resident and providing the first portion of the information to the resident.

Abstract: Providing video mail to and from residents of controlled-environment facilities may include presenting a resident or non-resident a user interface and receiving a selection to send video mail. Whereupon, the user may be offered a selection to either upload a video or image or to capture a video or image. A selection by the user is accepted and in response to a selection to upload a video or image file, the user may be presented a file selection interface to enter a video or image filename and/or browse for a video or image file. In response to a selection to capture a video or image, the user may be presented a video or image capture interface for capturing the video or image, such as by using a camera of the host device. The selected or recorded video or image may then be uploaded and presented to the recipient for viewing.

Abstract: Systems and methods insert a modulated signal into audio of a controlled-environment facility resident's side of a call, such as by a controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may detect the same and/or another modulated signal inserted into the audio of the same and/or another controlled-environment facility resident's side of the call in the audio of an other party's side of the call. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may determine if more than one modulated signal is present in the other call party's side of the call and alert an authority that more than one controlled-environment facility resident is taking part in the call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for developing, deploying, providing, and/or operating location-based services are disclosed. A computer system receives a search request for location information associated with a wireless device. The search request is received from a requesting party, such as an investigator or law enforcement officer. The search request includes an indication of exigent circumstances. A service provider associated with the wireless device is identified. A notification message is generated comprising information associated with the search request. The notification message is provided to at least one notification party, who is other than the requesting party. When approval is received from the notification party, location information is obtained from the service provider. The location information may be provided to the notification party. When approval is received from the notification party, the location information is provided to the requesting party.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual communication device interfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving identification from a resident (e.g., an inmate or prisoner) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail or prison) and authenticating the resident based upon the identification. The method may also include retrieving, from one or more of a plurality of electronic information sources over a computer network, information associated with the resident. The method may further include subjecting the information to a security protocol, the security protocol configured to identify a first portion of the information that is suitable for disclosure to the resident and a second portion of the information that is unsuitable for disclosure to the resident. The method may then include withholding the second portion of the information from the resident and providing the first portion of the information to the resident.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to use of biometric identification during a call for detecting an anomaly occurring in the call, such as a change in the parties participating on the call. Communication between parties of a call is monitored and biometric identification is performed using the communication. According to one exemplary embodiment, biometric prints, such as voice prints, face prints, etc., are obtained for parties that are authorized to participate on a call. The call is then monitored and biometric data (e.g., audio, video, etc.) captured from communication during the call is compared with the biometric prints of the authorized parties to detect changes in the parties participating on the call, such as a new, unauthorized party joining the call. Thus, a call processing system can detect anomalies occurring during monitored calls, such as three-way calling, a handoff of a call, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments receive an indication of initiation of communication from a controlled-environment facility resident, using a communications device, with another controlled-environment facility resident. A determination is made whether the residents are allowed to communicate and the communication is established between the communications device and another communications device in use by the other resident. The residents may be residents of different or the same controlled-environment facility(ies). The communication may be monitored and/or a database of residents that communicate with one another may be compiled. The communication between the controlled-environment facility residents may proceed, even despite a determination or predetermination that the residents are not allowed to communicate with one another, so the communication may be monitored.