Location-based controls for remote visitation in controlled-environment facilities

1. A method, comprising:

creating at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identifying a request to establish a visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the visitation session includes at least one of: a voice or a video call, and wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receiving spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device; and

applying a geo-fencing rule to the visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlled-environment facility is a correctional facility, and wherein the resident is an inmate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving the spatial information periodically during the visitation session.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising charging an account of the resident for a telecommunication provider's fees associated with providing the spatial information.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert provided in the rule.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visitation session is a Video Relay Service (VRS) call.

9. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the system to:

store at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identify a request to establish a video visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receive spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device;

apply the geo-fencing rule to the video visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the geo-fencing rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area;

receive updated spatial information periodically during the visitation session; and

apply a rule to the video visitation session based upon the updated spatial information.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spatial information comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the spatial information comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the video visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert associated with the rule.

13. A hardware memory device having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor, cause a computer system to:

create at least one geo-fencing rule to apply to visitation sessions between residents and non-residents of a controlled-environment facility, wherein the geo-fencing rule comprises a status of the rule, a type classification of rule, one or more parameters associated with the rule and whether the rule is positively or negatively defined;

identify a request to establish a video visitation session between a resident and a non-resident of the controlled-environment facility, wherein the non-resident operates a mobile device;

receive spatial information of the mobile device, wherein the spatial information comprises a location of the mobile device; and

apply a geo-fencing rule to the video visitation session based upon the spatial information, wherein applying the rule includes determining that the location of the mobile device is within a selected geographic area and permitting the visitation session when the location of the mobile device is outside of the selected geographic area.

14. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a direction of travel of the mobile device, and wherein applying the rule includes determining that the direction of travel is within a selected trajectory.

15. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein the spatial information further comprises a proximity to another mobile device associated with another non-resident.

16. The hardware memory device of claim 13 , wherein applying the rule comprises at least one of: flagging the video visitation session for monitoring or recording, or issuing an alert associated with the rule.