Inmate Calling Platform Authentication via Mobile App
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inmate calling systems in controlled environments, such as prisons, struggle to identify and authenticate called parties due to the anonymity of cellular telephones, which can be registered under one person but owned by another and lack registration or identity verification, leading to unmonitored calls with anonymous individuals.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inmate calling platform that requires cellular telephone users to pre-register by submitting personal information, including biometric data and address verification, and using a mobile application to facilitate this process, ensuring that only registered devices can receive calls from inmates, with additional security measures like geofencing and PIN authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cellular telephones are allowed to be used without registration in inmate calling systems, then ease of operation is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to anonymous communication
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration and verification of called parties before allowing inmate calls. The called party must pre-register their cellular telephone number and provide identifying information in advance, so that when an inmate places a call, the system can immediately verify the called party's identity and authenticate them, preventing anonymous communication while maintaining operational ease.
2Reliability
If biometric authentication and pre-registration requirements are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the called party completes their own registration and provides their own biometric authentication data through a mobile application. This automated self-registration process reduces the need for manual verification procedures and complex administrative systems, thereby improving security through biometric verification while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If called party authentication is required for all inmate calls, then security is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration and stores authentication data before calls are made. When an inmate places a call, the system quickly retrieves and verifies the pre-stored authentication information, rather than requiring time-consuming verification procedures during each call. This maintains high security standards while minimizing the impact on call productivity and throughput.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are described for enhancing the security of calls made by a member of a controlled environment to an outside party, particularly when the outside party communicates via a cellular phone. An application is provided for the cellular device, which must communicate and register with a calling platform of the controlled environment. Certain elements of personal verification data are obtained by the user of the cellular device and stored at the calling platform for later reference. Calls from the inmate to the cellular device cause the calling platform to issue a notification to the user via the application. The user verifies his/her identity using the application, after which the call can be connected. As a further security measure, certain conditions can be required and periodically checked during the call to ensure the user remains verified.