Increasing Security & Connecting Jail Inmates with Loved Ones (See Video)

By Kelly Lindman, Director of Product Management and Customer Channels at GTL

In correctional facilities nationwide, an inmate attempt to reach a loved one over the phone can be a time-consuming and stressful event.

Once an inmate gains phone access and makes a call, there is a good chance they will receive a busy signal or a voicemail message when the call finally goes through.

This, coupled with frequent facility lockdowns, limited wall phones, and only certain hours when phones are available, often creates additional stressors for an inmate who is left wondering when they will get to finally check-in with a loved one.

It also leads to inefficient and decreased communication between inmates and their friends and family members which can impact rehabilitation and increase the likelihood an inmate will recidivate.

GTL’s Request2Call is an innovative new offering in the corrections market that alleviates the frustrations of infrequent communication between incarcerated individuals and their friends and family members.

This new system allows inmates to receive notifications when their friends or family members are ready to receive a phone call, eliminating the stress of having to guess when their loved is available to take a call.

REDUCING JAIL VIOLENCE: A new system at the @pimacountyaz jail is allowing inmates to send their family members a notification when they’re able to take a call. Staff says its helping reduce tension & fights in jail. More on @kgun9 at 6:30am. pic.twitter.com/YWpDvb3ED9

— Alexa Liacko FOX 5 (@AlexaLiackoFOX5) March 6, 2018

A recent news report described the benefits of the Request2Call feature at the Pima County Jail in Arizona and how inmates are making the most of this innovative feature.

Inmates receive the request through an alert on their Inspire tablet and can either accept and initiate a phone call or dismiss the message.

Facility staff are also noticing an increase in security; facility lockdowns, which are necessary, can cause tension between staff and inmates.

With features like Request2Call, this security exercise is now much easier to facilitate, the inmates have this new lifeline while in their cells for extended periods.

Request2Call was also built with the security of correctional facilities at the forefront.

Facility staff can monitor and catalogue all requests, knowing in real-time who is sending the request, and which requests inmates act on.

All the ITS safety features apply to calls initiated through Request2Call and the Inspire tablets, including call recording, monitoring, reporting, and voice biometrics.

A true advancement in the field of corrections, Request2Call is just another feature that sets GTL’s Inspire tablet apart from the competition as the best-in-industry inmate communication device.

(Pima County Jail now gives its inmates access to a system allowing more efficient communication with their families. Request2Call allows inmates and their families to send each other notifications when they’re able to take a call. Courtesy of KGUN9 and YouTube. Posted on Mar 7, 2018)

Maintaining a supportive network of family and friends while incarcerated is key to successful rehabilitation and in keeping inmates from re-offending upon release.

Request2Call encourages an open line of communication between the inmate and their support system of friends and family members; which is key to successful re-entry into society.

GTL will continue to lead the corrections market by introducing new technologies, like Request2Call, that ensure inmates are able to successfully communicate with their loved ones in a secure, frequent, and convenient manner.

(The PBS affiliate in Arizona takes a look at how tablets are changing the face of corrections. Dramatic reductions in suicide attempts, assaults on both inmates and staff, better contact with family members of those incarcerated and more opportunities for both the inmates and the correctional facility make this program a win for all parties- inmates, correctional staff and the taxpayers. Courtesy of Arizona Week, GTL and YouTube)

About the Author:

Kelly Lindman is a Director of Product Management and Customer Channels at GTL.

She recently managed the inmate efficiency applications as well as the subscription service applications for the GTL Inspire® tablet program.

Kelly has an undergraduate degree from Wright State University.

Over 100 distinguished guests from National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Executives from companies allied to Government, gathered from across North America and the Middle East to be honored from disciplines across the Security Industry in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
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Recognized for their Innovative Training and Education Programs, Outstanding Product Development Achievements and Exciting New Technologies to address the growing Homeland Security Threats our Nation is facing.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

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To learn more about GTL, and view their wide range of products and services, please visit http://www.gtl.net/.

GTL’s vision is to support facility needs with more scale and efficiency, improve inmate communications, offer structured access to education, and reduce recidivism rates

For ‘ASTORS’ Sponsorship Opportunities and More Information on the AST 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com or call 732.233.8119 (mobile) or 646-450-6027 (office).