Remote Multi-Party and/or Event-Driven Visitation for Residents of Controlled-Environment Facilities

Abstract

Remote multi-party and/or event-driven visitation for controlled-environment facilities. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a request to initiate a remote group visitation session between a resident of a controlled-environment facility and a category of individuals that are non-residents of the controlled-environment facility. The method may also include identifying, based upon the category of individuals, two or more non-residents of the controlled-environment facility, and determining that the two or more non-residents are available to participate in the remote group visitation session. The method may further include enabling the remote group visitation session, wherein during the session the resident is allowed to communicate with the two or more non-residents.

1 . A method, comprising:
 performing, by one or more computer systems:
 receiving a request to initiate a remote group visitation session between a resident of a controlled-environment facility and a category of individuals that are non-residents of the controlled-environment facility; 
 identifying, based upon the category of individuals, two or more non-residents of the controlled-environment facility; 
 determining that the two or more non-residents are available to participate in the remote group visitation session; and 
 enabling the remote group visitation session, wherein during the session the resident is allowed to communicate with the two or more non-residents. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the controlled-environment facility is a correctional facility and wherein the resident is a prisoner, inmate, detainee, or arrestee. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is originated by the resident. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request is originated by one of the two or more non-residents, 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote group visitation session includes a video conference. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request includes at least one of: a date of the remote group visitation session, a time of the remote group visitation session, or a duration of the remote group visitation session. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request indicates an event associated with the remote group visitation session. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of: birthday, funeral, wedding, and graduation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the event includes a television program, a home video presentation, a slideshow presentation, or a motion picture, and wherein during the session the resident and the two or more non-residents are allowed to view the event concurrently. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising billing the resident or at least one of the two or more non-residents at least in part depending upon a number of persons participating in the remote group visitation session. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising billing the resident or at least one of the two or more non-residents at least in part depending upon a number of communication devices involved in the remote group visitation session. 
     
     
         12 . A computer system, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory configured to store program instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the computer system to:
 receive a request to initiate an online chat session between at least one resident of a correctional facility and at least one non-resident of the correctional facility, wherein the request indicates an event associated with the online chat session; and 
 enable the online chat session, wherein during the session the at least one resident is allowed to communicate with the at least one non-resident and to remotely attend or participate in the event. 
   
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 12 , wherein the program instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to cause the computer system to, prior to receiving the request, provide information to the at least one resident or the at least one non-resident about an available schedule for the online chat session. 
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 12 , wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of: birthday, funeral, wedding, and graduation. 
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 12 , wherein the event includes a television program, a home video presentation, a slideshow presentation, and a motion picture, and wherein during the session the resident and the two or more non-residents are allowed to view the event simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . A memory storage device having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a computer system, cause the computer system to:
 receive a request to initiate an online chat session between a resident of a controlled-environment facility and a category of individuals that are non-residents of the controlled-environment facility;   identify, based upon the category of individuals, two or more non-residents of the controlled-environment facility; and   enable the online chat session, wherein during the session the resident is a communicate with the two or more non-residents.   
     
     
         17 . The memory storage device of  claim 16 , wherein the request indicates an event associated with the online chat session. 
     
     
         18 . The memory storage device of  claim 17 , wherein the program instructions, upon execution, further cause the computer system to bill the at least one resident or the at least one non-resident for the online chat session at least in part depending upon a type or duration of the event. 
     
     
         19 . The memory storage device of  claim 18 , wherein the event is a birthday, funeral, wedding, or graduation. 
     
     
         20 . The memory storage device of  claim 18 , wherein the event is a television program, a home video presentation, a slideshow presentation, or a motion picture.