meshDETECT® is pleased to announce that it has recently received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for U.S. Patent Application Number 14/945,145 entitled “System and method for controlling, monitoring and recording of wireless telecommunications services in penal institutions.” A notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office is a written notification that a patent application has cleared internal review and is pending issuance.

This patent further expands our Secure Prison Cell Phone Solutions™ intellectual property coverage and solidifies our position as the prime innovator in the prison mobile device space. The claims in this latest patent are directed toward remotely reassigning detainee call profiles to portable electronic devices in penal institutions.

As more correctional facilities deploy wireless communications devices including secure cell phones and tablets, these devices will inevitably be shared, rotated and re-purposed for economic, security and population management reasons. For instance, a prison may have a pool of tablets that are shared among inmates. As the tablet is reassigned from one inmate to another, a new profile, containing the second inmate’s unique account information, can be remotely applied to the device. A the same time, the first inmate’s profile is removed from the device to insure security and maintain privacy.

Brian Byrne, Managing Partner of meshIP, LLC commented, “With this third patent we now have intellectual property which covers the three key aspects of secure wireless inmate calling – system, application and device management. There have been many recent industry announcements regarding personal communications device deployments in prisons and jails, but we believe we are the only inmate communications services company with the intellectual property portfolio protecting these three core elements of the rapidly emerging inmate mobile device market.”

Update: The patent (US9,794,788) was issued on October 17, 2017 by the United States Patent Office. You can view the patent here: Third meshDETECT patent.

Update: meshDETECT was awarded its fourth patent on 4/30/19.

The post meshDETECT® Announces Notice Of Allowance From The USPTO For 3rd Patent Covering Mobile Inmate Calling appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

meshDETECT® is pleased to announce that it has recently received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for U.S. Patent Application Number 13/931,850, which is a continuation of our first patent entitled “System and method for controlling, monitoring and recording of wireless telecommunications services in penal institutions.” A notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office is a written notification that a patent application has cleared internal review and is pending issuance.

This patent will expand our Secure Prison Cell Phone Solutions™ intellectual property coverage and enhances our position as an innovator in the prison mobile device space. The claims in this patent are directed toward an application on a personal communications device, such as a tablet or cell phone, in the possession of an inmate that controls, monitors, and records voice phone calls. It also covers important security features to insure the device is authentic and is not tampered with or compromised.

Brian Byrne, Managing Partner of meshIP, LLC commented, “A strong intellectual property position has always been a fundamental objective of the company and we are pleased by the Notice of Allowance for this patent application, which will further enhance meshDETECT’s patent portfolio around prison mobile device solutions. Many of our competitors have announced similar solutions subsequent to the issuance of our first patent (US Patent Number 8,478,234), but we believe we are the only inmate communications services company with the specific intellectual property protecting our innovative prison mobile device solutions. We will continue to build on and leverage this strategic advantage.”

Update (2/23/16): The patent (US9,271,145) was issued today by the United States Patent Office. You can view the patent here: Second meshDETECT patent.

Update: meshDETECT was awarded its third patent on 10/17/17.

The post meshDETECT® Announces Notice Of Allowance From The USPTO For 2nd Patent Covering Mobile Inmate Calling appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

Here is the latest summary of recent news articles regarding contraband cell phones in prisons around the world. I call these periodic round up of news items, “Wireless Prison Payphone™ Briefs” because this is essentially what smuggled mobile phones in jails have become – a substitute for the current wall mounted prison payphones.

In this edition, we explore some of the recent news regarding prison tablet devices and how they highlight what we have been promoting for some time now – prison payphones will be replaced by a secure prison device with cell phone capabilities that will reduce the demand for contraband cell phones. Regardless of whether the device takes the form factor of a tablet or a cell phone, wireless voice capabilities will be the key service offering in reducing contraband and recidivism.

• A spokesperson for the correctional technology company GTL, says some jails and prisons are even replacing wall phones with secure tablets that inmates can use not only to make calls, but also for education, entertainment and scheduling. “This is a trend that has only just begun to take shape,” he says. (Source)

• “This is what’s going to replace phones eventually,” the JPay founder told Yahoo Tech. “There are going to be major changes within the prison system environment because of this technology.” (Source)

• Securus Technologies announced today that distribution of its SecureView inmate tablet will top 2,000 units. “Through our initial tablet program, inmates overwhelmingly enjoy the privacy the tablet gives them for phone calls along with the games, music, and access to information such as Law Library and JobView,” (Source)

• “We believe that the Inspire devices are the future of inmate communications, education and entertainment,” said GTL’s chief marketing officer. “They improve a facility’s operational efficiencies by reducing costs and conflicts over access to phones, and have nearly limitless educational possibilities.” The company has already launched its wireless tablet technology in correctional facilities. Alameda County, Calif. currently operates one of the largest deployments of correctional wireless tablet technology in the country, according to GTL, and allows inmates to place calls of up to four hours in length directly from their jail cell. This ability to maintain communication and connection with friends and family has been linked to a reduction in recidivism. (Source)

• Companies with their exclusive focus on education and rehabilitation, are relying on economies of scale and the power of disruption to make a profit while bringing down the cost of technology and communication services. At scale, tablets can be provided at very low cost to facilities. Inmates pay no fees for the content. And there’s no technical barrier to someday replacing expensive telephone calls with much cheaper tablet-based broadband phone service. (Source)

• “At this juncture, we are not persuaded that Wi-Fi is an acceptably secure solution,” said the CEO of America Prison Data Systems in New York City, which helped San Francisco roll out 200 tablet computers at its jail last October. “That time may come down the road, but for now we know Wi-Fi is less secure.” (Source)

The post Wireless Prison Payphone™ Briefs – Prison Tablet Edition appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

The legislation to curb contraband cell phones in California prisons is headed to the governor’s desk for signature. Additionally, it paves the way for wireless signal jamming via managed access systems. No consideration in the push to legislate on how to curb demand however.

Update – May 9, 2012: For an update on this legislation and the planned deployment of wireless managed access systems in the CDCR facilities to block contraband cell phones, see this post.

Senate Bill 26, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), won final legislative approval with a unanimous, bipartisan vote of the State Senate. SB 26 would crack down on the smuggling and possession of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in California prisons. The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Senator Padilla’s bill imposes tough penalties for both smugglers and inmates. It also facilitates the deployment of managed access technology to prevent illicit cell phones from sending or receiving communications within the secure perimeter of a prison.

“Cell phones in the hands of inmates are a clear and present threat to the safety of correctional officers, victims, and the public,” said Senator Padilla. “We know that inmates with cell phones are ordering murders, organizing escapes, facilitating drug deals, controlling street gangs and terrorizing rape victims. With this bill we will finally crack down on cell phones in California prisons,” Senator Padilla added.

Senator Padilla has strong support from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in his effort to address the rampant problem of cell phone use in California’s prisons. “Contraband cell phones in prison continue to be a problem for CDCR as they allow inmates to circumvent our monitoring process and commit crimes,” said CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate. “This year we have confiscated 6,000 phones through May at our prisons. Senate Bill 26 will strengthen our efforts to curb this problem,” he added.

Forty-four states and the federal government have taken action to tackle this problem. The number of cell phones confiscated in our prisons has grown exponentially. In 2006, prison officials confiscated 261 cell phones in California prisons. In 2010, 10,761 phones were confiscated. Smugglers are selling these phones to inmates for more than $1,000 a piece. One person caught smuggling, bragged about making $100,000 in a single year providing cell phones to prisoners. Charles Manson had been caught twice in possession of a cell phone.

Source

The post Contraband Cell Phone Bill Headed To Governor appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

The following article discusses the contraband cell phone legislation now moving through the California legislature. According to the article, a guard who was caught smuggling cell phones into prison, “boasted that he made more than $100,000 a year selling mobile devices to inmates.” A typical guard makes $60,000 per year in salary. A phone can net up to $1,000 on the prison black market and 6,000 were been found during the first five months of 2011. This bill may stop some from trying to smuggle a cell phone into prison, but like drug smuggling, if there is demand, especially at $1000 per wireless phone, there will be supply. The only way to suppress demand is to co-opt it by providing a secure cell phone solution to prisoners that siphons off demand and reduces the value of a smuggled cell phone.

Smuggling cells phones into California correctional facilities has become so commonplace that even Charlie Manson got caught twice with one, and now the state legislature is taking a step toward preventing further proliferation of the devices behind bars.

An Assembly committee Thursday approved a proposal designed to crack down on both smuggling and possession of cell phones and other wireless communication devices by inmates. The bill, SB26 (Padilla, D-Pacoima), has already passed the Senate and now goes to the lower house for a vote.

CalCoastNews reported in July about an incident of prison smuggling being related to prison staff as the Padilla bill progresses. Surveillance video at the California Men’s Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo County captured a correctional officer smuggling a cell phone into the prison.

Soon thereafter, the accused guard retired and allegedly boasted that he made more than $100,000 a year selling mobile devices to inmates. A phone can net up to $1,000 on the prison black market.

Until recently, a correctional officer caught smuggling would simply retire, quietly, unpunished. Inmates found their phones removed and certain privileges revoked.

Padilla said that more than 10,750 contraband phones were taken from state prisoners in 2010, and that another 6,000 were been found during the first five months of 2011.

“We know that inmates with cell phones are ordering murders, organizing escapes, facilitating drug deals, controlling street gangs and terrorizing rape victims. With this bill we will finally crack down on cell phones in California prisons,” the lawmaker said.

The proposal raises the penalty for smuggling a cell phone to a prisoner to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for each device.

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill without explanation.

Source

The post Contraband Prison Cell Phone Bill Moves Forward appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

The California legislation making the possession of contraband prison cell phones a crime has been approved in committee. Will this stop the flow of smuggled cell phones into jails? Has the fact that drugs are illegal stopped them from being smuggled in to jails and prisons across the country?

Senate Bill 26, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee today on a unanimous bipartisan vote.  SB 26 would crack down on the smuggling and use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in California prisons.  The bill includes tough penalties for both smugglers and inmates.  Current law does not provide any criminal or financial sanctions for smuggling cell phones to inmates.

“It is time for California to crack down on cell phones in prisons.  Forty-four states and the federal government have taken action to tackle this problem in their prisons. California, where the problem is most severe, should take action as well,” said Senator Padilla.  “We know that inmates with cell phones are ordering murders, organizing escapes, facilitating drug deals, controlling street gangs, and terrorizing rape victims,” he added.

Senator Padilla has had the strong support of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in his effort to address the problem of cell phones in California’s prisons. “Contraband cell phones in prison continue to be a problem for CDCR as they allow inmates to circumvent our monitoring process and commit crimes,” said CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate. “This year we have confiscated 6,000 phones through May at our prisons. We are pleased that the Public Safety Committee has approved Senate Bill 26, as it will strengthen our efforts to curb this problem,” he added.

SB 26 would do the following:

Smuggling

• Any person, employee or nonemployee, who possesses a cell phone with the intent to deliver, or delivers, to an inmate is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 per device.

Inmate Possession

• An inmate in possession of a cell phone shall be subject to loss of time credits. Lost time credit will not be eligible for restoration.

Visitor Protection

• The bill contains language for visitors who inadvertently bring a cell phone into a prison without intent to deliver to an inmate.

Managed Access Technology

• Prisons will use technology to identify unauthorized cell phone signals and block their ability to transmit phone calls, texts, and emails.

The number of cell phones confiscated in our prisons has grown exponentially. In 2006, prison officials confiscated 261 cell phones in California prisons. In 2009, 6,995 cell phones were confiscated.  Last year, 10,761 phones were confiscated.  Charles Manson has been caught twice in possession of a cell phone.  Smugglers are selling these phones to inmates for more than $1,000 a piece.  One person who was caught, bragged about making $100,000 in a single year smuggling cell phones to inmates.

SB 26 is Senator Padilla’s third attempt to criminalize cell phones in prison.  SB 1730 introduced in 2007, and SB 434 introduced in 2009, both died in committee.  SB 525 introduced in 2009, won legislative approval in 2010 but was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger.

Cell phones in the hands of inmates are a clear and present threat to the safety of correctional officers, inmates, and the public.  Cell phones in prisons have been used by inmates to:

• Control street gangs.  On August 31^st, 2010, Attorney General Brown announced the arrest of

four Nuestra Familia gang leaders and 30 gang members.  The gang is believed to be controlled by imprisoned gang leaders that use cell phones to direct illegal activity throughout the state.  (source)

• Coordinate with drug traffickers from inside prison cells to plan murders, kidnappings, and drug deals (source)
• Order a “hit” on a murder witness in Maryland (source)
• A Texas death row inmate threatening a legislator (source)
• Coordinate simultaneous rebellions in 73 prisons in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2006 and, more ominously, coordinate attacks on law enforcement in the streets.  These criminal acts essentially shut down Brazil’s financial capitol for days (source)
• Plan escapes, such as one in Texas in March (source)
• Threaten and intimidate witnesses and victims (source)
• Coordinate attacks on prison guards (source)

SB 26 is supported by the California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association, US Senator Diane Feinstein, California Peace Officers’ Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, Crime Victims United, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and the California District Attorneys’ Association, among others.

Source

The post Legislation to Ban Cell Phones in Prison Approved by Key Policy Committee appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

This article provides an update on contraband prison cell phone legislation in California. According to the article smuggled cell phone usage in state prisons has recently exploded. Nearly 11,000 cell phones were found in state prisons in 2010, compared to 261 in 2006. The phones can fetch up to $1,000 each in prison.

A bill aimed at curbing widespread cell phone proliferation in state prisons is on its way to the state Assembly after clearing the Senate.

Senate Bill 26 attempts to crack down on the smuggling of cell phones and other wireless communication devices into California prisons — such as California Institution for Men and California Institution for Women, both in Chino.

The bill — which was introduced by State Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Van Nuys — was approved 39 to 0 by the Senate last week.

The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee is expected to next hear the bill.

Under the proposed legislation, smuggling a cell phone into prison would bring a misdemeanor charge, which would be punishable by six months in jail, as well as a fine of up to $5,000 per phone.

Inmates who are found to be in possession of the devices would face a loss of time credits that could not be restored.

Local Republican lawmakers said the legislation should have carried a felony punishment for violators.

An earlier incarnation of the bill, Senate Bill 434, would have made the act of smuggling a felony, but the proposal was killed in committee over concerns that it would aggravate prison overcrowding, officials said.

“It’s very difficult to get liberal legislators to pass anything with a felony out of committee anymore,” said Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, who sits on the Public Safety Committee. “With a misdemeanor, all it’s going to do is let people with six-month sentences out after a day or two because of overcrowding. I wish this was stronger.” Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, said that while he supports S.B. 26, the legislation should have carried a felony charge for violators.

“You have shot callers ordering hits from inside, and there are a lot of guys continuing their criminal career,” Donnelly said. “I think it’s time to put a stop to it in the name of public safety and common sense.” Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Chino, said inmate overcrowding is preventing the bill from carrying a felony charge.

“We would all love to be more punitive, but with the issue of overcrowding, I think this is a good compromise, and I am supportive,” Torres said. “I represent the Chino prison. I’ve been there more times then I care to spend. This cell phone issue is a huge problem in our prison system, and (S.B. 26) is a good start to begin to address it.” Prison inmates have used smuggled cell phones to plan attacks, coordinate drug movement and sales, direct street gangs, communicate with other inmates and the public, videotape guard tactics as well as arrange escapes, officials said.

Cell phone usage in state prisons has recently exploded. Nearly 11,000 cell phones were found in state prisons in 2010, compared to 261 in 2006.

The phones can fetch up to $1,000 each in prison.

Under current law, smuggling cell phones into state prison does not carry criminal or financial sanctions, Padilla said.

S.B. 26 is Padilla’s fourth attempt to criminalize smuggling and possession of cell phones in prison.

Cult leader Charles Manson, who is doing time at Corcoran State Prison in Kings County, was twice caught in possession of a cell phone in the past two years.

“Criminals like Charles Manson, who had two cell phones, don’t deserve a friends and family plan,” Hagman said.

Source

The post Cell Phone Usage In Prisons Is Targeted appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.

An update on the contraband prison cell phone legislation currently being considered in California. According to the article, S.B. 26 is Senator Padilla’s fourth attempt to criminalize smuggling and possession of cellphones in prison. A quote from the article, “This cell phone issue is a huge problem in our prison system, and (S.B. 26) is a good start to begin to address it” is no doubt accurate, but the law should be augmented by a secure prison cell phone service that reduces the contraband value of the smuggled phones.

A bill aimed at curbing widespread cellphone proliferation in state prisons is on its way to the state Assembly after clearing the Senate.

Senate Bill 26 attempts to crack down on the smuggling of cellphones and other wireless communication devices into California prisons – such as California Institution for Men and California Institution for Women, both in Chino.

The bill – which was introduced by State Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Van Nuys – was approved 39 to 0 by the Senate last week.

The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee is expected to next hear the bill.

Under the proposed legislation, smuggling a cellphone into prison would bring a misdemeanor charge, which would be punishable by six months in jail, as well as a fine of up to $5,000 per phone.

Inmates who are found to be in possession of the devices would face a loss of time credits that could not be restored.

Local Republican lawmakers said the legislation should have carried a felony punishment for violators.

An earlier incarnation of the bill, S.B. 434, would have made the act of smuggling a felony, but the proposal was killed in committee over concerns that it would aggravate prison overcrowding, officials said.

“It’s very difficult to get liberal legislators to pass anything with a felony out of committee anymore,” said Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, who sits on the Public Safety Committee. “With a misdemeanor, all it’s going to do is let people with six-month sentences out after a day or two because of overcrowding. I wish this was stronger.”

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, said that while he supports S.B. 26, the legislation should have carried a felony charge for violators.

“You have shot callers ordering hits from inside, and there are a lot of guys continuing their criminal career,” Donnelly said. “I think it’s time to put a stop to it in the name of public safety and common sense.”

Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Chino, said inmate overcrowding is preventing the bill from carrying a felony charge.

“We would all love to be more punitive, but with the issue of overcrowding, I think this is a good compromise, and I am supportive,” Torres said. “I represent the Chino prison. I’ve been there more times then I care to spend. This cell phone issue is a huge problem in our prison system, and (S.B. 26) is a good start to begin to address it.”

Prison inmates have used smuggled cellphones to plan attacks, coordinate drug movement and sales, direct street gangs, communicate with other inmates and the public, videotape guard tactics as well as arrange escapes, officials said.

Cellphone usage in state prisons has recently exploded. Nearly 11,000 cell phones were found in state prisons in 2010, compared to 261 in 2006.

The phones can fetch up to $1,000 each in prison.

Under current law, smuggling cellphones into state prison does not carry criminal or financial sanctions, Padilla said.

S.B. 26 is Padilla’s fourth attempt to criminalize smuggling and possession of cellphones in prison.

Cult leader Charles Manson, who is doing time at Corcoran State Prison in Kings County, was twice caught possessing a cellphone in the past two years.

“Criminals like Charles Manson, who had two cellphones, don’t deserve a friends and family plan,” Hagman said.

Source

The post GOP Asks For Stronger Cellphone Bill appeared first on meshDETECT® Blog.