Automatic Arrest Notification System for Designated Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Incarcerated individuals often face difficulties in communicating their incarceration status to loved ones or legal representatives due to restricted communication and lack of contact information, with no existing system providing automatic notifications to designated contacts upon arrest.
Innovation Solution
An automatic messaging system that allows users to input contact information, which is stored in a database and searched against public arrest records, sending notifications via text message, email, or voice call to designated contacts upon a match, enabling family members or legal representatives to be informed of an individual's arrest and assist in their release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an arrested individual is given the right to make a telephone call, then they can contact a lawyer or arrange for bail, but they cannot contact family members or friends due to communication restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-registers designated contacts and their contact information before an arrest occurs. When an arrest is detected through database matching, the system automatically notifies the pre-registered contacts without requiring the arrested individual to have contact information or make calls during incarceration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the arrested individual and their loved ones. It uses automated database searching and matching, followed by automatic notification systems (text messages, emails, voice calls) to bridge the communication gap that exists during incarceration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an arrested individual does not have contact information with them, then they cannot contact anyone when given telephone opportunity, but providing a list of designated contacts helps in such situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-registers designated contacts and their contact information before an arrest occurs. When an arrest is detected through database matching, the system automatically notifies the pre-registered contacts without requiring the arrested individual to have contact information or make calls during incarceration.
3Reliability
If automatic notification systems are implemented for emergencies and calamities, then people are informed of Amber Alerts and disasters, but no system exists for notifying contacts of arrests
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal notification platform that can handle multiple types of alerts (Amber Alerts, disasters, and now arrests) through the same technical infrastructure. The core functionality of automatic notification via text message, email, or voice call is reused across different alert types, demonstrating multi-functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If jail conditions vary drastically throughout the country, then incarceration experiences differ, but communication to attorneys and family members becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates autonomously without requiring action from the arrested individual during incarceration. It automatically detects arrests through database searching, matches the individual's information, and sends notifications to designated contacts. This self-service approach works regardless of the specific jail conditions or communication restrictions in place.
Data Source
AI summary
Generally, disclosed is an automatic messaging system for providing a text or other message to a third party that notifies said party when a person has been arrested and is being held in police custody. Also disclosed may be a system employing software that will alert a family member whenever a loved one has been incarcerated. In one embodiment, a user can sign up for a service so that the user's name and information will be entered into an information database and used to monitor hundreds of public police arrest records from various localities wherein, if the user is arrested and incarcerated, then the service will automatically send a notification to a designated contact, such as the user's attorney, family member, or friend.