We really wanted to find a platform that would create that extra layer of security. We’ve had video visits from 44 states and 12 different countries. Incarcerated people have something to look forward to with these [free] video visits. I can even see it helping with disciplinary issues internally and potentially shifting our culture. I think it gives people hope.
Beth Skinner, Director, DOC
20,000+
Users served
9
Facilities
$100,000+
Cost savings / month
In 2021, Iowa replaced Google Meets with Ameelio’s video communciation platform. Iowa has now expanded to using Ameelio’s entire communication suite, including: electronic messaging, and voice calls. Loved ones are now able to communicate with any incarcerated person in Iowa completely free of charge. We save Iowa families millions annually. Our system enables correctional staff to easily manage visitation requests, monitor calls, access recordings, and more. Ameelio’s platform not only democratizes access to free communication, but it saves departments an abunance of labor costs.
In 2022, Iowa began using Ameelio’s legal communciation platform to enable their incarcerated population to safely communicate with their attorneys. Unlike our competitors our platform is built to protect attorney-client priviledge, enable document sharing. work collaboration, and more. Iowa attorneys have championed this innovation.
In 2021, Iowa approached Ameelio to build an in-person vistation scheduling feature into our communication suite. Before launching the feature, vistiation scheduling was inefficent and very time consusming for both correctional staff and famiies. Now, staff are able to manage all visitation both virtual and in-person in one easy-to-use.
While Ameelio’s software can work on any hardware, including existing DOC owned computers and tablets, we also provide DoCs the option to purchase Ameelio’s propiertary ruggedized tablets. Iowa has deployed Ameelio tablets inside its prisons, enabling their population to easily make calls, send e-messages, learn, access entertainment and much more.
We really wanted to find a platform that would create that extra layer of security. We’ve had video visits from 44 states and 12 different countries. Incarcerated people have something to look forward to with these [free] video visits. I can even see it helping with disciplinary issues internally and potentially shifting our culture. I think it gives people hope.
Jason Holder
Technology Manager DOC
I love this app and when I was in Loudon Co jail, I told all my fellow inmates about it. It truly makes a huge difference in your day behind bars when you get mail and it boosts your confidence knowing the world may keep on spinning without you but that there is at least someone that notices your absence and misses you.
Devon Jones
Incarcerated person
Ameelio's video calling platform is so easy to use — it's going to save us COs an abundance of time, make our work more efficient, and get our prison population reconnected with their families at no cost.
Mike Gass
Iowa Correctional Officer
The Connecticut Department of Corrections is the unified state agency that is responsible for all correctional facilities in the State of Connecticut, incarcerating approximately 9,000 people, in both pre and post trial custody. Connecticut does allow for state revenue to be generated from commissions. As required by Public Act No. 21-54, the Department must provide free voice communications to all incarcerated adults and children beginning on October 1st, 2022. Following October 1st, 2022, the Department may not collect any commissions from communications, and if the Department also provides video communications and electronic mail services, then those must also be provided to incarcerated people and their families for free. The Department is currently considering an RFP for voice communications and its tablet contract with Securus expires in 2024.
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A deep dive -- comparing the state of communications in state prisons and major metropolitan jails.
State
Iowa
Nebraska
Texas
New Jersey
Phone Call
Iowa
$0.00
Nebraska
$0.00
Texas
$0.00
New Jersey
$0.00
Video Call
Iowa
$0.00
Nebraska
$0.00
Texas
$0.00
New Jersey
$0.00
E-Message
Iowa
$0.00
Nebraska
$0.00
Texas
$0.00
New Jersey
$0.00
Counties
Dallas
Harris
Bexar
Travis
Sub 1
Dallas
$0.00
Harris
$0.00
Bexar
$0.00
Travis
$0.00
Sub 2
Iowa
$0.00
Nebraska
$0.00
Texas
$0.00
New Jersey
$0.00
Sub 3
Iowa
$0.00
Nebraska
$0.00
Texas
$0.00
New Jersey
$0.00
Since Connecticut is a unified state system, people are not incarcerated pre-trial or for misdemeanor sentences in county jails, rather all individuals are held in state custody at state facilities. Because of the unified system, which is also present in Alaska, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Delaware, and Vermont, the cost of communications is no different between individuals pre or post trial. Currently, Connecticut phone calls cost $0.00/minute and video calls cost $0.00/minute. In total, the Department generates $1,000,000 in comissions per year from the sale of communications services. Beginning on October 1st of 2022, Connecticut will be the lowest cost of communication state at free and will be recieving no commission revenue. While all phone calls are required to be free, incarcerated individuals will not be able to have more than 90 minutes in voice calls per day.
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Our
Connecticut
campaigns
Connecticut will soon be the first no-kickback free communications state in the country. However, the state is continuing to bundle its services in contracts that limit the number of vendors that can compete. While communications are free, the telecommunications duopoloy is still maintained by the legislation in Connecticut. Ameelio is continuing to campaign for publicly owned broadband, independent education technology contracts, and debundling in Connecticut.
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As both an advocate and a provider, Ameelio is able to provide immediate relief and support to incarcerated people and their families in Connecticut. Below you can find a petition addressed to the Connecticut Department of Corrections, the Office of the Connecticut Governor, and the Connecticut Legislature to address the hi gh cost of communications for incarcerated people and allow Ameelio to provide free communications to incarcerated people and their families in the state.
Press | press@ameelio.org
Careers | ameelio.breezy.hr
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