Devices with calling apps for inmate calls, information sharing, monitoring, and other functions
Systems and techniques for permitting, establishing, monitoring and controlling calls based on messages from outside parties, outside party availability information, institution's call restriction information, and/or account holder preferences. In one example, a message from an outside party app on an outside party computing device is receive by an inmate app on an inmate device. The inmate device displays the message at the inmate calling app including a request for the inmate to call the outside party device during a time period. When the inmate initiates a call to the outside party the call is permitted or not permitted based on determining whether the call is within the specified time period.
1. A method for providing video visitation involving an inmate of a confinement institution and an outside party:
at a processor of an electronic device:
receiving, based on input at a device operated by the inmate, a selection of an option to schedule a desired day and a desired time for a video visitation with the outside party;
providing an invitation to the outside party at a device operated by the outside party;
receiving, based on input received at the device operated by the outside party, a proposal of an alternative time for the video visitation from the outside party, wherein an invitation is sent to the device operated by the inmate proposing the alternative time for the inmate to accept or reject;
based on acceptance of the proposed alternative time by the inmate, scheduling the video visitation at the proposed alternative time and providing messages to devices operated by the inmate and outside party confirming the scheduled video visitation; and
providing one or more reminders to the inmate or the outside party of the scheduled video visitation.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a proposal of an alternative day for the video visitation from the outside party and sending an invitation to the inmate for the alternative day for the inmate to accept or reject.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a selection of a desired duration for the video visitation.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
automatically determining to cancel or reschedule the scheduled video visitation based on a change in calling hours of the confinement institution or the inmate being punished;
sending messages to both the inmate and outside party regarding the scheduled video visitation being canceled or rescheduled.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scheduled video visitation session is a session for counselling, social services, or re-entry assistance.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a designation of an account to pay for the video visitation call.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a designation of an account to pay for the video visitation call from the non-inmate.
8. A system comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium; and
one or more processors coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprises program instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, based on input at a device operated by the inmate, a selection of an option to schedule a desired day and a desired time for a video visitation with the outside party;
providing an invitation to the outside party at a device operated by the outside party;
receiving, based on input received at the device operated by the outside party, a proposal of an alternative time for the video visitation from the outside party, wherein an invitation is sent to the device operated by the inmate proposing the alternative time for the inmate to accept or reject;
based on acceptance of the proposed alternative time by the inmate, scheduling the video visitation at the proposed alternative time and providing messages to devices operated by the inmate and outside party confirming the scheduled video visitation; and
providing one or more reminders to the inmate or the outside party of the scheduled video visitation.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a proposal of an alternative day for the video visitation from the outside party and sending an invitation to the inmate for the alternative day for the inmate to accept or reject.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a selection of a desired duration for the video visitation.
11. The system of claim 8 further comprising:
automatically determining to cancel or reschedule the scheduled video visitation based on a change in calling hours of the confinement institution or the inmate being punished;
sending messages to both the inmate and outside party regarding the scheduled video visitation being canceled or rescheduled.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the scheduled video visitation session is a session for counselling, social services, or re-entry assistance.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a designation of an account to pay for the video visitation call.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving a designation of an account to pay for the video visitation call from the non-inmate.