Abstract: In embodiments for authorized use of personal controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media devices by device location eligibility within a controlled-environment facility, each resident device, itself, determines whether the device is authorized to operate within a particular area within the facility that the device is entering or attempting to operate in, and/or whether the device is authorized to operate one or more particular application programs (apps) and/or device functions within the particular area. The device, itself, allows operation of the device, and/or allows operation of the particular app(s) and/or device functions, in response to a determination that the device is authorized to do so within the particular area.

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: A controlled-environment facility and/or communications management system interface accepts definition of a digital bulletin board message directed to at least one controlled-environment facility resident, accepts assignment of a priority for displaying the digital bulletin board message on the digital bulletin board and a schedule for display of the digital bulletin board message and accepts assignment of the digital bulletin board message to controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) disposed in the controlled-environment facility. The digital bulletin board message(s) are received by the controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) to which the digital bulletin board message is assigned, and are displayed by the controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) to which the digital bulletin board message(s) are assigned, in accordance with the assigned priority and the schedule for display of the digital bulletin board message(s).

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: 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: 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 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: A controlled-environment facility resident interface runs on top of, or as a part of, an operating system of a controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device. The interface may request, accept and verify identification information from a resident of the controlled-environment facility operating the device. The interface presents application programs (apps) available for use by the resident on the device, via the interface. A selected app is executed and a countdown of time the selected app and/or the interface itself remains active starts. An interface tab or other visual indicator may display this countdown or it may be presented aloud. The selected app is closed or suspended upon expiration of the countdown, and the selected app, the interface and/or the device may be locked out from use by the resident for a time.

Abstract: A controlled-environment facility and/or communications management system interface accepts definition of a digital bulletin board message directed to at least one controlled-environment facility resident, accepts assignment of a priority for displaying the digital bulletin board message on the digital bulletin board and a schedule for display of the digital bulletin board message and accepts assignment of the digital bulletin board message to controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) disposed in the controlled-environment facility. The digital bulletin board message(s) are received by the controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) to which the digital bulletin board message is assigned, and are displayed by the controlled-environment resident communication and/or media device(s) to which the digital bulletin board message(s) are assigned, in accordance with the assigned priority and the schedule for display of the digital bulletin board message(s).

Abstract: A controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device enables a controlled-environment facility resident to carry-out one task on the device, and provides a visual indication, to the resident, that an overt image and/or video is being captured during this task. Conversely, a covert image and/or video of a user is captured while the controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device is in use for another task, without providing the user the same or other visual indication that the covert image is being captured.

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: A controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device enables a controlled-environment facility resident to carry-out one task on the device, and provides a visual indication, to the resident, that an overt image and/or video is being captured during this task. Conversely, a covert image and/or video of a user is captured while the controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device is in use for another task, without providing the user the same or other visual indication that the covert image is being captured.