Specifications include, but are not limited to: The State of Michigan, Department of Corrections (MDOC) is looking to solve a prisoner to staff messaging and communications problem. The messages, called “kites”, are essentially prisoner requests for services or information that are replied to by staff. For example, requests for health care services, prescription refills, requests regarding trust bank account balances, explanations of trust account transactions, etc. Currently, kites are a paper and pencil process and there are roughly 1.2 million kites per year across 26 prison facilities throughout Michigan for 32,000 prisoners. MDOC wants an electronic approach to track kites and ensure timely and consistent responses. MDOC has the vendor software to support electronic kites but needs the mechanism to implement the software. Additionally, MDOC anticipates electronic kites as just a first step in an evolution of prisoner services with universal educational services beyond the classroom and electronic law library capabilities as next steps (these are Internet resources requiring appropriate security). MDOC envisions prisoner appropriate electronic devices in the hands of prisoners that are securely monitored and maintained through a securely monitored and maintained WIFI network that facilitates these activities while avoiding security concerns associated with hidden prisoner-to-prisoner communications. Additionally, MDOC anticipates adding secure staff functionality once the WIFI network is active to mobilize healthcare workers, physical plant workers, custody/security staff, and possibly some facility functions. It should be noted there are a variety of “networks” in each prison facility (State of Michigan network, internal facility network, and some scattered WIFI usage) that may prove beneficial to be securely managed, incorporated, integrated, or interfaced as appropriate.
