Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides for a computer-implemented method for self-selection into a familial-based discount telephonic rate program. The method includes receiving an indication that a person is related to a current participant of the familial-based discount telephonic rate program and adding a person to the familial-based discount telephonic rate program as a relative to a current participant. The computer-implemented method further includes providing discounted telephone call rates for phone calls between the person and the current participant.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for reviewing a posting to a secure social network (SSN). The method includes receiving a first media item from a SSN member, evaluating the first media item to identify a first media attribute, and receiving a request to access the first media item from an inmate of a controlled facility. The method further includes retrieving a set of restricted attributes corresponding to the inmate, and determining whether the inmate is allowed to access the media item based on comparing the first media attribute to the set of restricted attributes. When the inmate is allowed to access the media item, granting the inmate access to the media item based on the first determination. When the inmate is not allowed to access the media item, denying the inmate access to the media item based on the first determination.

Abstract: A method for financing a mobile device for an inmate involves receiving a plurality of mobile device rules comprising limitations on usage of the mobile device by the inmate within a controlled facility, receiving the mobile device, and installing, on the mobile device, a mobile application, wherein the mobile application conforms the mobile device to the plurality of mobile device rules. The method also involves receiving a payment for the mobile device, and executing, by the mobile device, the mobile application.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for two-way communications, automated request handling, and push notifications, via SMS, MMS, IM, email, and other electronic messaging systems, between (1) residents confined to a secure facility, such as a jail or a prison, and (2) persons located outside the secure facility who have friendly or family relationships with the confined residents.

Abstract: A method for message transmission in a controlled facility includes receiving a request to transmit a message from a superfriend in a controlled facility. The superfriend includes an administrative privilege and a removal protection. The method further includes receiving, for the message from a superfriend network list of the superfriend, a selection contacts confined in the controlled facility, sending, via an electronic network, the message to each of the contacts in the controlled facility, and presenting the message to each of the contacts in the controlled facility.

Abstract: A method for controlling a call in a first controlled facility includes connecting an inmate in the first controlled facility to the call when each party of the call is verified, testing incoming audio on the call to detect a controlled facility tone from a second controlled facility, and transmitting a notification of a violation by the inmate when the controlled facility tone is detected in the incoming audio.

Abstract: Geoposition data is gathered from financial transactions, digital communications, or digital files that have been exchanged between individuals, within a detention facility and individuals who are not subject to a detention environment. The geoposition data is visually represented allowing the geographical relationships between outside parties and individuals within detention facilities to be seen. A system and method of visually representing relationships, such as transactions, communications, associations or other commonalities, between individuals in detention environments (such as prisons or detention facilities) with one or more individuals within or external to such detention environments.

Abstract: A method for network priming for an inmate of a controlled facility includes receiving authentication credentials for the inmate to access a third party social network, importing social network contacts from the third party social network, filtering the social network contacts for prohibited contacts, presenting the inmate with the social network contacts, receiving, from the inmate, a selection of social network contacts to obtain selected social network contacts, and populating a secure social network list of the inmate with the selected social network contacts.

Abstract: A method for reviewing an inmate's communications that includes receiving a two-party message including a media item, and determining whether the media item is viewable pending review. When the media item is viewable pending review, placing the media item in a conditionally viewable repository for the inmate, and making the two-party message accessible to the recipient based on the media item being placed in the conditionally viewable repository for the inmate. When the media item is not viewable pending review, placing the media item in a conditionally held repository for the inmate, and making the two-party message inaccessible to the recipient based on the media item being placed in the conditionally held repository for the inmate. The method further includes receiving review results of a review process performed on the media item, and moving the media item to a reviewed media items repository based on the review results.

Abstract: A method for handing messages on a secure social network (SSN) includes receiving a message comprising a recipient name from a SSN member sender, retrieving a list of SSN member names approved to communicate with the SSN member sender, and determining that recipient name matches a first SSN member name and a second member name stored in the list of SSN member names, where the first SSN member name identifies an inmate of a controlled facility. The method further includes retrieving a first period of time since a previous communication between the SSN member sender and the first SSN member name, retrieving a second period of time since a previous communication between the SSN member sender and the second SSN member name, and sending the message to the inmate based on a comparison of the first period of time to the second period of time.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for dynamically adjusting and routing signals and communications. According to one aspect, one or more codecs applied to the signals may be switched or changed to manage signal quality. According to another aspect, communications may be re-routed to an intended recipient entirely over the Internet. The systems and processes described herein are especially well suited for use in connection with detention environments.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing or facilitating communications between individuals who reside in detention environments (such as e.g., prisons or correctional facilities) and individuals who are not in such detention environments using an automated authentication or verification.