INMATE PRIVILEGE KIOSK METHODS, SYSTEMS AND USER INTERFACE

• US 20090076832A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keefe Commissary Network LLC
• Original Assignee: Keefe Commissary Network LLC
• Inventors: Collins, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,370,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/26 Government or public services business processes related to the transportation industry G06Q50/40

Abstract

A method of administrating inmate privileges in a correctional facility using a computer kiosk is provided. The method includes accepting data and information corresponding to inmate privileges for an inmate population, the data and information including restrictions on the inmate privileges. The method also includes accepting requests for privileges by an inmate, applying the restrictions to the accepted requests, and visually presenting information to the inmate regarding accepted requests.

Claims

1. A method of administrating inmate privileges in a correctional facility using a computer kiosk, the method comprising:

accepting data and information corresponding to inmate privileges for an inmate population, the data and information including restrictions on the inmate privileges;

accepting requests for privileges by an inmate;

applying the restrictions to the accepted requests; and

visually presenting information to the inmate regarding accepted requests.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein accepting requests for privileges by an inmate comprises accepting an order for a commissary good, the method further comprising accepting requests with a screen display, the screen display including an inmate financial account information summary section.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising generating a detailed transaction history for review by the inmate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data and information corresponding to inmate privileges comprises data and information relating to commissary goods, the method comprising presenting commissary good categories to the inmate via a screen display.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises displaying a detailed selection screen for each of the commissary good categories as they are selected by the user.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises displaying a quantity selection display for the items of the detailed selection screen when selected by a user.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising presenting an order summary section.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising presenting an edit order display.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising presenting a delete order display.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein accepting requests for privileges comprises accepting a request for an appointment.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising presenting an appointment calendar to the inmate.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising presenting a submit request for appointment display.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising a presenting a review request display.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting information to the inmate regarding accepted requests comprises presenting status information for each request.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein presenting status information comprises presenting status identifiers comprising at least one of pending status, approved status, or cancelled status.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying facility information to the inmate.

17. A network-based system for processing requests for privileges by an inmate in a correctional facility, the system comprising:

a client system comprising a browser;

a database for storing information; and

a server system adapted to be coupled to the client system and the database, the server further adapted to;

accept requests for privileges by an inmate;

apply facility restrictions to accepted requests; and

present information to the inmate regarding accepted requests.

18. The system of claim 17, the server further adapted to display a status of submitted requests for privileges by the inmate.

19. The system of claim 17, the server further adapted to present selection information in a screen display to request the privileges, the screen display including a selection section for one of a transaction history for the inmate making the requests, a commissary order selection, a request appointment selection, and a facility information selection.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is further adapted to balance an inmate'"'"'s financial account as requests for privileges are accepted, and display account information to the inmate.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the server is further adapted to display detailed transaction history, the transaction history including deposits to the account and payments made from the account.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is further adapted to prompt selection of a privilege request by a user.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the server is adapted to display a selection screen for commissary goods, and accept orders for commissary goods.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the server is adapted to display a summary screen of commissary good categories to the inmate, and the server is adapted to display a detailed order screen for each commissary good category.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the server is adapted to present graphical icons for each commissary good offered by the commissary.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the server is adapted to accept a request for an appointment by the inmate.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the server is adapted to present an appointment calendar to the inmate.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the server is adapted to indicate an appointment request as one of pending, approved, and cancelled.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the server is adapted to display information regarding facility privileges to the inmate.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the server is adapted to edit a submitted request for a privilege.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the server is adapted to delete a submitted request for a privilege.

32. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for processing a request for a privilege by an inmate of a correctional facility, the program comprising at least one code segment that receives inmate provided selections for privileges, and, in response to the received selections;

applies privilege restrictions of the correctional facility to the request for privilege; and

displays status information for the submitted request.

33. The program of claim 32, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a commissary good category selection screen.

34. The program of claim 33, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a detailed commissary good selection screen.

35. The program of claim 32, further comprising at least one code segment that displays an inmate'"'"'s financial account as requests for privileges are received.

36. The program of claim 35, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a detailed transaction history including account deposits and payments.

37. The program of claim 32, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a request for appointment screen.

38. The program of claim 37, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a request for appointment status screen.

39. The program of claim 38, wherein the request for appointment status comprises one of an accepted status, a pending status, or a cancelled status.

40. The program of claim 37, further comprising at least one code segment that displays an appointment calendar.

41. The program of claim 32, further comprising at least one code segment that displays a correctional facility information screen.