System and method for authenticating called parties of individuals within a controlled environment

Abstract

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.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A call processing platform for processing telecommunications of a controlled environment, comprising:
 one or more processors configured to:
 receive an outbound telephone call directed to an outside party from an inmate of the controlled environment; 
 in response to the receiving of the outbound telephone call, transmit a notification message to the outside party; 
 receive a response message from the outside user in response to the notification message; 
 verify an identity of the outside user based on the response message; and 
 connect or terminate the outbound telephone call in response to the verifying. 
   
     
     
         22 . The call processing platform of  claim 21 , wherein the notification message is transmitted to the outside party via an application running on a wireless communication device associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         23 . The call processing platform of  claim 21 , wherein the notification message includes a communication type and personal identification information of the inmate. 
     
     
         24 . The call processing platform of  claim 21 , wherein the notification message prompts the user to either accept or decline the outbound telephone call. 
     
     
         25 . The call processing platform of  claim 21 , wherein the response message includes authentication information associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         26 . The call processing platform of  claim 25 , wherein the authentication information includes at least one of a PIN, biometric data, or a passcode. 
     
     
         27 . The call processing platform of  claim 26 , wherein the verifying of the identity is performed based on the received authentication information. 
     
     
         28 . A call processing method for processing telecommunications of a controlled environment, comprising:
 receiving an outbound telephone call directed to an outside party from an inmate of the controlled environment;   in response to the receiving of the outbound telephone call, transmitting a notification message to the outside party;   receiving a response message from the outside user in response to the notification message;   verifying an identity of the outside user based on the response message; and   connecting or terminating the outbound telephone call in response to the verifying.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the notification message is transmitted to the outside party via an application running on a wireless communication device associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the notification message includes a communication type and personal identification information of the inmate. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the notification message prompts the user to either accept or decline the outbound telephone call. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the response message includes authentication information associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the authentication information includes at least one of a PIN, biometric data, or a passcode. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the verifying of the identity is performed based on the received authentication information. 
     
     
         35 . A call processing platform, comprising:
 receiving an outbound telephone call from an inmate of the controlled environment;   identifying an outside party to whom the outbound telephone call is directed;   determining that the outside party is registered with the call processing platform;   identifying an app based on registration information of the outside party;   transmitting a notification message to the outside party;   receiving a response message from the outside user in response to the notification message;   verifying an identity of the outside user based on the response message and personal identification information included in the registration information; and   connecting or terminating the outbound telephone call based on the verifying.   
     
     
         36 . The call processing platform of  claim 35 , wherein the notification message is transmitted to the outside party via an application running on a wireless communication device associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         37 . The call processing platform of  claim 35 , wherein the notification message includes a communication type and personal identification information of the inmate. 
     
     
         38 . The call processing platform of  claim 35 , wherein the notification message prompts the user to either accept or decline the outbound telephone call. 
     
     
         39 . The call processing platform of  claim 35 , wherein the response message includes authentication information associated with the outside user. 
     
     
         40 . The call processing platform of  claim 39 , wherein the authentication information includes at least one of a PIN, biometric data, or a passcode.