Method and system for financing of inmate mobile devices
A method for financing a mobile device for an inmate involves receiving a plurality of mobile device rules comprising limitations on usage of the mobile device by the inmate within a controlled facility, receiving the mobile device, and installing, on the mobile device, a mobile application, wherein the mobile application conforms the mobile device to the plurality of mobile device rules. The method also involves receiving a payment for the mobile device, and executing, by the mobile device, the mobile application.
1. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a mobile application operating on a mobile device and from a server located at an access-restricted facility, a plurality of mobile device rules comprising location limitations on a usage of the mobile device within the access-restricted facility, wherein an inmate is subject to physical restrictions on movement within the access-restricted facility;
restricting, by the mobile application and based on the plurality of mobile device rules, device use of the mobile device to the location limitations;
communicating, by the mobile application to the server, to determine whether a payment has been made by a visitor using a kiosk located at the access-restricted facility; and
providing, by the mobile application, to the inmate, and in response to the payment, access to the device use of the mobile device, wherein the kiosk acts as an endpoint for voice and video communication between the visitor and the inmate using the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payment comprises a periodic rent payment.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the periodic rent payment is part of a rent-to-own program.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the voice and video communication is monitored by an administrator using an administrator computing device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payment is received through use of a commissary account.
6. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the server removes, the plurality of mobile device rules from the mobile device, and
wherein removing the mobile device rules returns the mobile device to an initial state.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payment comprises a fee for sending a message using the mobile device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server renders the mobile device in a state that is not limited by the plurality of mobile device rules upon or after release of the inmate.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the server removes all personal information from the mobile device after the mobile device is returned to an administrator.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium (CRM) storing a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions for:
receiving, by a mobile application operating on a mobile device and from a server located at an access-restricted facility, a plurality of mobile device rules comprising location limitations on a usage of the mobile device within the access-restricted facility, wherein an inmate is subject to physical restrictions on movement within the access-restricted facility;
restricting, by the mobile application and based on the plurality of mobile device rules, device use to the location limitations;
communicating, by the mobile application to the server, to determine whether a payment has been made by a visitor using a kiosk located at the access-restricted facility; and
providing, by the mobile application, to the inmate, and in response to the payment, access to the device use of the mobile device, wherein the kiosk acts as an endpoint for voice and video communication between the visitor and the inmate using the mobile device.
11. The non-transitory CRM of claim 10 , wherein the payment comprises a periodic rent payment.
12. The non-transitory CRM of claim 11 , wherein the periodic rent payment is part of a rent-to-own program.
13. The non-transitory CRM of claim 10 , wherein the voice and video communication is monitored by an administrator using an administrator computing device.
14. The non-transitory CRM of claim 10 , wherein the payment is received through use of a commissary account.
15. The non-transitory CRM of claim 10 , the instructions further comprising functionality to:
remove the mobile application, wherein removing the mobile application returns the mobile device to an initial state.
16. The non-transitory CRM of claim 10 , wherein the payment comprises a fee for sending a message using the mobile device.
17. A system, comprising:
a mobile device comprising a mobile application operating on the mobile device, the mobile application configured for:
receiving a plurality of mobile device rules for the mobile device, wherein the plurality of mobile device rules comprise location limitations on a usage of the mobile device within an access-restricted facility, wherein an inmate is subject to physical restrictions on movement within the access-restricted facility,
restricting, based on the plurality of mobile device rules, device use to the location limitations,
communicating, by the mobile application to the server, to determine whether a payment has been made by a visitor using a kiosk located at the access-restricted facility, and
providing, by the mobile application, to the inmate, and in response to the payment for usage of the mobile device, access to the device use of the mobile device, wherein the kiosk acts as an endpoint for voice and video communication between the visitor and the inmate using the mobile device;
the kiosk at the access-restricted facility configured for:
processing the payment by a visitor for the usage of the mobile device;
and
the server coupled to the kiosk and configured for:
determining the plurality of mobile device rules, and
sending, to the mobile device, the plurality of mobile device rules.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the payment comprises a periodic rent payment.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the periodic rent payment is part of a rent-to-own program.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the voice and video communication is monitored by an administrator using an administrator computing device.
21. The system of claim 17 , wherein the payment is received through use of a commissary account.
22. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device further comprises functionality to:
remove the mobile application, wherein removing the mobile application returns the mobile device to an initial state.
23. The system of claim 17 , wherein the server renders the mobile device in a state that is not limited by the plurality of mobile device rules upon or after release of the inmate.
24. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device is returned to an administrator and all personal information is removed from the device.
25. The system of claim 19 ,
wherein the server further comprises functionality to determine whether a total amount paid by the inmate is less than a predetermined amount required for owning the mobile device, and
wherein the mobile application further comprises functionality to, in response to determining the total amount paid by the inmate is less than the predetermined amount required for owning the mobile device, restrict access to the mobile device by the inmate.
26. The system of claim 20 , wherein the mobile device is reconfigured by the mobile application for compatibility with a facility system that manages the access-restricted facility.
27. The system of claim 17 , wherein the mobile device rules comprise rules for transitioning the mobile device to the inmate after the inmate is released from the access-restricted facility.