New tablets at Allegheny County Jail are giving incarcerated people another way to stay connected with loved ones while providing access to educational, wellness and legal resources.
The jail distributed the devices as the final step in its communication contract with GTL/ViaPath, according to a community announcement.
The contract runs through March 2029 and provides the tablets without cost to Allegheny County taxpayers.The ability to communicate is a central part of the program. Incarcerated people receive 30 minutes of free phone calls each day, while the tablets provide another way to communicate and access services.
“Because we know that it is important for individuals who are incarcerated to maintain contact with their loved ones, we prioritized
affordable communication by significantly reducing fees and incorporating more free minutes per person per day,” Interim Warden Connie Clark said.
Calls beyond the free 30 minutes cost 3.5 cents per minute, down from 16 cents. Video visitation costs 7 cents per minute, down from 25 cents. Tablet replacement costs dropped from $350 to $255.
Tablets provide more than communication
The significance of the devices also extends beyond keeping in touch with family and friends, according to the announcement.
The jail launched its tablet program in 2020 to help facilitate communication and provide educational opportunities. Incarcerated people can use the devices for free access to books, health and wellness programs, educational programs and a legal library.
Paid features include text messaging, games, news, video visitation, streaming movies and music and calls beyond the 30 free daily minutes.
The jail began providing free daily phone calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This story was produced by reporter Gabby Sartori, [gsartori@usatodayco.com], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the review, editing and publishing process. Learn more atcm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Allegheny County Jail tablets expand access, connection
