“With the advancements in telemedicine via tablet technology, biofeedback, and the various developing technologies, there is unlimited potential for tablet technologies to manage behavior and transform physical and psychological wellness.”

Shaun Wehle, Lake County Mental Health Director

CHALLENGE:

Correctional facilities constantly look for ways to manage inmate behavior by providing them with positive resources, outlets and activities. In the past, jails provided inmates a library of books, exercise programs, continuing education classes, television in day rooms, and entertainment in the form of arts, crafts and games. But with declining budgets and limited recreation space, what new cost-effective measures can facilities turn to?

SOLUTION:

Recent advancements in technology have opened the door to a host of new and more effective options that allow inmates to positively utilize their time during incarceration. In 2014, Lake County took a giant technological leap with the installation of inmate tablet technology in their newly renovated jails. The introduction of Telmate Tablets provides inmates secure access to photos and messages from friends and family, as well as access to approved news, music and entertainment.

As the first to introduce secure inmate tablets into jail populations over a year ago, Telmate anticipated and experienced a rapid rise in table usage. What wasn’t equally anticipated was the significant psychological shift in the behavior of the inmates with access to these tablets. Since deploying them, facilities began reporting profound changes to inmate behavior and a significant decrease in violence; both inmate-to-staff and inmate- to-inmate.

Lake County Mental Heath Director, Shaun Wehle sees the enormity of the usefulness for such technology and its role in mental health. “We are just beginning to scratch the surface of the potential of this form of technology,” said Wehle.

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