Abstract: Scheduling and provisioning transportation by a controlled-environment facility resident may employ a controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device, which requests and accepts identification information, from a controlled-environment facility resident operating the device, and verifies the identification information. The device then presents a controlled-environment facility transportation interface, via which the device accepts input or selection of a date and time from the resident for pick-up of a party and a destination of the party. The device may then interface with a transportation provider computer system, or the like, and schedule the pick-up of the party at the input or selected date and time for transportation to the destination. The transportation is paid for from one or more controlled-environment facility trust accounts maintained by the controlled-environment facility to the benefit of the controlled-environment facility resident.

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: Systems or methods for collective purchasing by controlled-environment facility residents may employ a plurality of controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media devices, each associated with a respective controlled-environment facility resident. These devices, disposed within one or more controlled-environment facilities, may each present an interface for purchasing goods and/or services via the device. The devices may each offer, via the interface, an option to collectively purchase a single good or service by a number of controlled-environment facility residents and may accept an indication of partial payment from the resident associated with the device.

Abstract: A controlled-environment facility paid network-based activity controller, or the like, searches for paid network-based activity opportunities and determines a particular resident of the controlled-environment facility is eligible to participate in a particular activity. If, in accordance with rules and procedures of the controlled-environment facility, the resident is allowed to participate in the activity, an offer is made, on a personal controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media device of the resident, for the resident to participate in the activity and/or to invite a non-resident to participate in an activity. The resident, and/or non-resident, is presented access to the activity, on the resident's or a non-resident device, in response to acceptance of the option to participate. Interaction, by the resident, via the device, is enabled to carry out the activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to one or more media devices that may be shared among multiple users, such as multiple residents in a controlled-environment facility, are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes operating at least one computer system. Operating the at least one computer system includes checking out a media device. Checking out the media device comprises enabling the media device for use for a first duration of a first timer. Operating the at least one computer system further includes, upon expiration of the first duration of the first timer, disabling use of the media device, and checking in the media device. The media device is prohibited from being checked out for a second duration of a second timer.

Abstract: In embodiments of systems and methods for enabling voting by a controlled-environment (e.g., correctional) facility resident (e.g., incarcerated individual), a controlled-environment facility management system, or the like, may determine federal, state and/or local laws and/or rules concerning the resident's legal right to vote and determine whether the resident is registered to vote in a jurisdiction in which the resident is deemed to reside, with respect to the resident's right to vote in the jurisdiction. In response to a determination that the resident is not registered to vote in that jurisdiction, the facility management system, or the like, may provide documents required for the resident to register to vote, to the resident, for completion and/or execution. The facility management system, or the like, may file, in the jurisdiction in which the resident is deemed to reside, resident-executed documents required for the resident to register to vote.

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: Dynamic controlled-environment facility resident media broadcasting services transmit, via a controlled-environment facility local area network, a controlled-environment facility wireless media channel within a controlled-environment facility, playing a playlist available to controlled-environment facility residents to listen to, on respective personal controlled-environment facility resident media devices of the residents. An option for one of the residents to control content of the playlist and/or an option to suggest content for the playlist is offered on the respective personal resident media devices of the residents. Content of the playlist may be adjusted based on suggestions by the residents, such as in response to no resident accepting the offer to control content of the playlist.

Abstract: System, devices and methods are provided for providing a resident of a controlled-environment facility with services via a communications device, where access to software components, software features and/or content on the communication device may be restricted based on the results of a mental health assessment administered via the communication device. The communication device utilized by the resident connects to a resident communications system that provides use of requested software elements. If a requested software element is determined to be restricted, the resident must complete a mental health assessment that determines a distress level of the resident. The distress level may be determined based on inputs provided by the resident and sensor inputs collected by the communication device. If the mental health assessment indicates the distress level of the resident is below a threshold, the resident is allowed to utilize the software element.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices provide gaming services to residents of a controlled-environment facility. A first network interface of a device provides a restricted-bandwidth connection to a gaming system via one or more network access points located within the facility. A second network interface of the device establishes a second connection with the gaming system via a high-bandwidth connection in order to download one or more games to the device. Once the device is disconnected from the high-bandwidth connection, a request for the resident to access a downloaded game is issued to the gaming system via the restricted-bandwidth connection. An authorization key granting temporary access to the game is transmitted to the device via the restricted-bandwidth connection. The resident has access to the game until expiration of the authorization key is detected. The authorization key may expire based on duration of gameplay or based on gameplay progress.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative gaming are described herein. In some embodiments, a system comprises a computer system. The computer system comprises at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory stores program instructions are executable by the at least one processor to cause the computer system to perform tasks. The tasks include enabling a first user, via a first gaming device, to initiate a gaming session of a gaming application using an account of the first user, enabling a second user, via a second gaming device distinct from the first gaming device, to join the initiated gaming session; and enabling the second user, via the second gaming device, to engage in game-play in the initiated gaming session on behalf of the first user. The second user engages in the game-play using the account of the first user.

Abstract: Systems or methods for collective purchasing by controlled-environment facility residents may employ a plurality of controlled-environment facility resident communication and/or media devices, each associated with a respective controlled-environment facility resident. These devices, disposed within one or more controlled-environment facilities, may each present an interface for purchasing goods and/or services via the device. The devices may each offer, via the interface, an option to collectively purchase a single good or service by a number of controlled-environment facility residents and may accept an indication of partial payment from the resident associated with the device.

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.