Abstract: The event detection system and method employs at least one biometric capture device or mechanism disposed within a controlled-environment area configured to capture biometrics of residents of the controlled-environment facility within the controlled-environment area. The system also identifies the conditions that define an occurrence of an event. The system monitors the conditions within the facility to detect the conditions associated with an event. The computing system detects such events as delivery of meals, medicines, commissary items, and other goods and services. Such delivery of meals, medicines, and commissary items may be identified by proximity of a resident with personnel or identifying the location of the resident.

Abstract: The housing provides layers of rigid material, a cut resistant layer, such as a cut resistant fabric layer, and cushioning around the components of a mobile electronic device, such as a tablet. The electronic device is at least partially encased within the housing providing a cut resistant layer within a rigid layer. The housing may provide two layers of cut resistant fabric, an outer layer impregnated with the rigid layer and an inner layer that maintains the properties of the cut resistant fabric. Cushioning located internally of the rigid layer and the cut resistant layers at least partially surround the components of the electronic device.

Abstract: A charging and storage system provides a support on which the electronic device, such as a tablet is stored and charged within a housing. The support angles downward such that the support is not level. The tablet is stored on the support not level to allow for any liquids to drain away from the tablet. The charger and support are secured within a removable charging unit that secures to the housing. Removal of the charging unit removes the support, the charger, and a lock that secures the tablet within the charging unit.

Abstract: The system detects damage and tampering of electronic devices, including tablets. A damage detector secured to the tablet provides a detection circuit. The system detects damage to the device/tablet by determining if the detection circuit is broken or otherwise interrupted. A broken or interrupted detection circuit indicates that the electronic device has been damaged or otherwise tampered with. A damage reader is installed within a base that accepts the device. The damage reader checks if the detection circuit is complete and determines if all of the RFID tags associated with a tablet can be read. If the damage reader fails to detect any of the damage detectors, the system indicates that the device/tablet is damaged.

Abstract: The secured storage receives an electronic device including but not limited to a tablet, smart phone, mobile computing device, or other computing device. The secured storage provides a charging system that charges the device. The system selectively charges the devices based upon identified rules. The lock of the secured storage secures the electronic device within the storage. The system maintains a log of the users who access the electronic devices. The system then control access by granting access to users and restricting access to users based upon usage history, behavior, or other criteria.

Abstract: The correspondence system accepts input from a sender to create a correspondence that is transmitted to a recipient. The system creates a digital file of the generated correspondence from the sender's input. The system analyzes and/or further processes the digitized correspondence according to at least one rule or set of rules. The system may transform the generated correspondence to an approved correspondence, augment the generated correspondence to an approved correspondence, or trigger alerting based on the generated correspondence as a result of the correspondence analysis. The system transmits the approved correspondence to the recipient or the recipient's facility.

Abstract: A charging and storage system provides a conveyor system within a housing that conveys electronic devices through the housing to charging devices located withing the housing. Charging contacts on an adjustment arm adjust between a charging position that charges the electronic devices and a transport position that allows movement of the electronic devices through the housing without contacting the charging contacts. A charging device located at each charging location charges the device while the device is stored within the housing. The conveyor system moves the electronic devices to these fixed charging locations to charge the devices while storing the devices. The conveyor system releases the electronic devices to an exit ramp that guides the electronic devices to a release aperture for removal from the housing.

Abstract: The vending machine system automates the distribution of funds via a payment instrument. The system verifies the identity of the user to confirm the proper recipient of the funds. The system applies rules when performing transactions, including the distribution of funds. The system also activates the payment instrument if required. The system also allows a user to void a payment instrument to recapture the funds associated with the voided instrument. The system dispenses the payment instrument and tracks the funds of the payment instrument for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated event detection of controlled-environment facility residents, such as identification of potential dangers and/or issues concerning correctional facility inmates. The system and method employs at least one biometric capture device or mechanism disposed within a controlled-environment area configured to capture biometrics of residents of the controlled-environment facility within the controlled-environment area. A controlled-environment facility administration and management system, or the like, is configured to enroll key biometric identification biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility and compare captured biometrics of the residents to enrolled key biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility to identify the resident. The system also identifies parameters that define an occurrence of an event. The system monitors the conditions within the facility to detect the occurrence of such an event.

Abstract: A delivery system applies rules for authorizing transactions to a recipient that are individualized for each recipient. These rules may limit the number of items available for the purchaser to purchase for a recipient, the types of items available for purchase for a recipient, and the price of the items for the recipient. The system automates the delivery of the item to the recipient via a kiosk, such as a vending machine. An identification device of the vending machine identifies the recipient. The vending machine dispenses the items to the identified recipient.

Abstract: The housing provides layers of rigid material and cushioning around the components of a mobile electronic device, such as a tablet. The rigid material includes a positioning frame that positions the display, the battery, and the circuit board within the housing. Cushioning positioned exterior of the frame provides additional cushion around the components of the mobile electronic device. The housing partially encloses the components of the mobile electronic device and provides a viewing window for viewing the display. A support rib abuts a rear wall of the housing to increase the rigidity of the housing. Antimicrobial agents and/or fire-retardant agents added to the housing provide additional features to the housing.

Abstract: A communication system for a mobile computing device that provides for personal communication. A housing of the communication system provides a receiving aperture for accepting the mobile computing device. Insertion of the mobile computing device into the housing connects the mobile computing device with the communication system and/or the audio transmission system. Upon connection with the communication system, the mobile computing device outputs audio to the external audio output. The mobile computing device also receives audio captured by the audio input. Insertion of the mobile computing device and/or connection to the audio transmission system also enables particular features of the mobile computing device. Removal of the mobile computing device disables particular features of the mobile computing device. Insertion of the mobile computing device also alerts third parties of the user's usage of the mobile computing device.

Abstract: The secured storage receives an electronic device including but not limited to a tablet, smart phone, mobile computing device, or other computing device. The secured storage provides a charging system that charges the device. The system selectively charges the devices based upon identified rules. The lock of the secured storage secures the electronic device within the storage. The system maintains a log of the users who access the electronic devices. The system then control access by granting access to users and restricting access to users based upon usage history, behavior, or other criteria.

Abstract: A communication system for a mobile computing device that provides for personal communication. A housing of the communication system provides a receiving aperture for accepting the mobile computing device. An upper wall and lower wall of the housing guide the mobile computing device into the housing towards an interior wall. An audio data transmission system enables communication between the mobile computing device with the audio input and the audio output. Insertion of the mobile computing device into the housing connects the mobile computing device with the communication system. Upon connection with the communication system, the mobile computing device outputs audio to the external audio output. The mobile computing device also receives audio captured by the audio input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated check-in of controlled-environment facility residents, such as correctional facility inmates, employs at least one biometric capture device or mechanism disposed within a controlled-environment area configured to capture biometrics of residents of the controlled-environment facility within the controlled-environment area. A controlled-environment facility administration and management system, or the like, is configured to enroll key biometric identification biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility and compare captured biometrics of the residents to enrolled key biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility to identify the resident. Whereupon, the controlled-environment facility administration and management system, or the like, logs the presence of an identified resident as in the controlled-environment area at a time the biometrics of the identified resident were captured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated check-in of controlled-environment facility residents, such as correctional facility inmates, employs at least one biometric capture device or mechanism disposed within a controlled-environment area configured to capture biometrics of residents of the controlled-environment facility within the controlled-environment area. A controlled-environment facility administration and management system, or the like, is configured to enroll key biometric identification biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility and compare captured biometrics of the residents to enrolled key biometric features of residents of the controlled-environment facility to identify the resident. Whereupon, the controlled-environment facility administration and management system, or the like, logs the presence of an identified resident as in the controlled-environment area at a time the biometrics of the identified resident were captured.

Abstract: An incoming physical mail item addressed to a resident of a controlled-environment facility is converted to a digital format mail item, which is associated with the resident and archived in an electronic database. A determination may be made whether the resident is allowed to receive the physical mail item. If so, the digital format mail item may be delivered to the resident as an electronic message, if an electronic message service is available to the resident.

Abstract: An incoming physical mail item addressed to a resident of a controlled-environment facility is converted to a digital format mail item, which is associated with the resident and archived in an electronic database. A determination may be made whether the resident is allowed to receive the physical mail item. If so, the digital format mail item may be delivered to the resident as an electronic message If an electronic message service is not available to the resident, the digital format mail item is printed for distribution to the resident within the controlled-environment facility via a commissary provisioning system, print station, or print kiosk. Delivery via commissary provisioning system may be made at a commissary point-of-sale within the facility, or printed mail items may be included in a commissary order for the resident, and delivered to the resident at the facility with the order.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing video visitation security to a controlled-environment facility are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include detecting an image of a face in a video stream transmitted between a resident (e.g., an inmate) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail or prison) and a non-resident of the controlled environment facility during a video visitation session. For example, the first image may occupy a given area on a display upon rendering of the video stream. As such, the method may include defacing (e.g., blurring, clouding, darkening, distorting, masking, shading, etc.) other areas on the display outside of the given area. Moreover, in various implementations, a method may also include detecting additional faces, determining and/or validating any number of visitors (e.g., via facial recognition), identifying certain attempts to circumvent security procedures, as well as taking pre-established corrective measures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing financial accounts associated with residents of controlled-environment facilities are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving information corresponding to a pooled account (e.g., a trust account, etc.) held by a financial institution (e.g., a bank), at least in part, for the benefit of residents (e.g., work-release inmates, etc.) of a controlled-environment facility (e.g., a jail, prison, etc.). The method may also include allocating funds within the pooled account to corresponding residents. The method may further include designating a first portion of the funds allocated to a given resident as inaccessible to the resident and designating a second portion of funds allocated to the given resident as accessible to the resident.