Inmates at an Oklahoma have begun receiving special computer tablets, as part of a government plan to provide secure tablets to state prisons.
The devices, designed by Securus Technologies, will include free content, such as prison policies, access to a law library, some books and educational materials. Inmates can also pay to access music, movies, games and TV shows, as well as to exchange messages with their families. The tablets do not have unlimited access to the Internet.
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In most cases, when prisoners want to receive educational or vocational training, they go to special facilities where corresponding programs are conducted. However, now they can receive these services directly on their tablet.
An inmate named Byron Robinson, who has been in prison since 2005, said the tablet was something completely new to him.
"I've never touched a thing like this before," Robinson said. "It's impressive, really, how much this thing can do."
Similar programs, allowing prisoners to access secure tablets, have been implemented in other states, such as Arizona, Connecticut and Utah.
In Pinal County, Arizona, officials began distributing tablets to inmates at the state's third-largest prison in 2019.
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“It was amazing,” said Matt Hedrick, deputy commander of the detention center.
It has helped inmates feel more at ease, while the prison can scan incoming letters and photos on an inmate's tablet, reducing the chance of anything illegal entering the prison. In addition, inmates have access to more personal photos.
"Before we had rules about how many pictures they could have in their cell, how many magazines," he said. "Now that's not the case. They can have as much as they want."
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks. According to a 2019 report by the Prison Policy Initiative, “free” tablets often charge users higher prices for services. Oklahoma’s contract with the company allows for a 25-cent charge for emails and 75 cents for outgoing video messages. Music can cost up to $1.99 per song or $14.99 per album, while the cost for a TV episode can range from $1.70 to $2.28.
Sierra Kiplinger, who was released from prison in April, said inmates are excited about the new technology, but spoke negatively about the amounts prisoners must pay to access various services.
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Justin Humphrey, chairman of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, said that while he supports the program, he believes people may have a problem.
“I don’t think people are going to like seeing us giving all these tablets to prisoners and saying, ‘My kid can’t get a tablet at school,’” Humphrey said.
Source: NBC News
