Crime Reporting in a Controlled-Environment Facility

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to communication systems and methods that allow a resident of a controlled environment facility to report a past, on-going or threatened crime, such as a rape. The resident is able to make the report using a facility communications system without alerting other residents of the controlled environment facility that the crime has been reported.

1 . A correctional facility internal crime reporting system comprising:
 a crime server configured to:
 receive information related to a crime from an inmate in a correctional facility in a communication over a correctional facility communications system; 
 record the information related to the crime in a data storage device; and 
 provide anonymity of the inmate for the crime report in response to correctional facility staff being involved in the crime. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crime server is further configured to:
 determine, during the communication, whether the crime requires immediate response from a live agent using a call selection policy; and   selectively connect the inmate to a live agent for live reporting of the crime, during the communication, in response to a determination, during the communication, that the crime requires immediate response from a live agent.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crime server is further configured to:
 determine, during the communication, whether any person is subject to a substantial risk of imminent physical harm; and   selectively connect the inmate to a live agent for live reporting of the crime, during the communication, in response to a determination that a person is subject to a substantial risk of imminent physical harm.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the crime server is further configured to provide a warning message that the information provided by the inmate will be monitored. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the crime server is remote from the correctional facility to maintain the anonymity of the inmate reporting the crime. 
     
     
         6 . A method for automated reporting of crimes in a correctional facility, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a crime server, information related to a crime from an inmate in a correctional facility in a communication over a correctional facility communications system;   recording the information related to the crime in a data storage device;   determining, during the communication, whether the crime requires immediate response from a live agent using a call selection policy, including at least determining, during the communication, whether any person is subject to a substantial risk of imminent physical harm from an inmate or correctional facility staff; and   selectively connecting the inmate to a live agent for live reporting of the crime, during the communication, in response to a determination, during the communication, that the crime requires immediate response from a live agent.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining, during the communication, whether the crime requires immediate response further comprises determining, during the communication, whether any inmate is subject to a substantial risk of imminent sexual abuse. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising recording the time of the alleged crime. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising generating an incident report based on the information received from the inmate. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising determining whether the crime needs to be reported to a reporting agency. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , selecting a required reporting agency for reporting the crime in response to a reporting agency requirement. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising communicating the incident report to the required reporting agency. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing anonymity of the inmate for the crime report if correctional facility staff is involved in the crime. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising locating the crime server remote from the correctional facility to maintain anonymity of the inmate reporting the crime. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing a warning message that the information provided by the inmate will be monitored. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving updated information regarding the crime from one or more inmates in the correctional facility. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising associating the updated information with the information originally received. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising updating an incident report associated with the crime in response to receiving the updated information. 
     
     
         19 . A correctional facility communications system that allows for an inmate of the correctional facility to report a crime, the system comprising:
 a correctional facility communications system that provides communications with other entities for inmates at the correctional facility; and   a crime server that is connected to the correctional facility communications system that provides a warning message that the information provided by the inmate will be monitored, records information related to the crime received from the inmate and selectively connects the inmate to a live agent for live reporting of the crime, during a communication, in response to a determination, during the communication, that the crime requires immediate response from a live agent.   
     
     
         20 . The communications system of  claim 19 , wherein the crime server is configured to connect the inmate to a live agent, during the communication, in response to a determination, during the communication, that any person is subject to a substantial risk of imminent physical harm from an inmate.