Crime & Safety
MacDougall-Walker Institution Gives Tablets To Inmates
The DOC has given more than 1,500 computer tablets for the incarcerated to communicate via email without access to outside internet.
Press release from the Connecticut Department of Correction:
Jan. 24, 2021
The Department of Correction has distributed more than 1,500 computer tablets to inmates incarcerated at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution. In addition to being able to access Agency approved educational and programming materials, the tablets will also allow the inmates to communicate with their loved ones via email through a secure, closed computer network.
Find out what's happening in Across Connecticutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Inmates will not have access to the internet.
The intent is to provide educational and programming materials for the inmates’ use in hopes of ultimately reducing recidivism. Offenders will have access to a variety of educational materials - including books and educational videos - at no cost. They will also have the opportunity to purchase additional materials such as electronic books, and music.
Find out what's happening in Across Connecticutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In addition to expanding educational opportunities (which will better prepare inmates to reenter society upon release), inmates will have the ability to electronically communicate with their families. This will serve to enhance family connections, and encourage positive behavior.
The tablets are being provided by JPAY at no cost to the state.
Family and friends of inmates can learn more information about the tablets and the e-messaging function at: https://portal.ct.gov/DOC/Common-Elements/Common-Elements/Tablet-Information
Back in April of 2019, on behalf of the State of Connecticut’s Department of Correction, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) signed a contract with JPay Inc., a Securus Technologies company, to provide computer tablets to the State’s approximately 9,000 incarcerated inmates.
The tablets will be on loan - from the vendor to the inmates - during their incarceration. They will not keep the tablets upon release.
The MacDougall-Walker facility is serving as the initial pilot facility for the tablet rollout. Moving forward, the tablets will be distributed to successive facilities throughout the Department, until all inmates have access to a tablet. Significant changes to each prison’s infrastructure had to be implemented (at no cost to the State) prior to the tablet distribution.
“From all perspectives this seems to be a win-win situation,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Designate Angel Quiros. “The inmate population gets educational materials and contact with their loved ones, which are factors contributing to successful reentry.”
For more information about the tablet contract, access the following web address:
This press release was produced by the Connecticut Department of Correction. The views expressed here are the author's own.
