In a significant move to improve communication and rehabilitation within its prison system, Wisconsin has allocated $2.5 million to replace old tablets with new ones that allow inmates to make phone calls directly from their cells. This initiative, part of a broader $5 million upgrade, aims to facilitate better contact with family and friends, which has been proven to support the mental health and reintegration of prisoners post-release.

The new tablets, provided by a new vendor, are being rolled out across the state’s prisons. The cost of this upgrade is partially offset by the state, with the expectation of reimbursement through commissions from the tablet company. Additionally, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is investing $616,000 in Wi-Fi infrastructure upgrades to support the new technology, according to the Post-Crescent.

One of the most notable features of the new tablets is the ability for inmates to make phone calls directly from the devices. This change has already shown a significant impact, with a 200% increase in phone call minutes observed at the Green Bay prison after the new tablets were introduced. 

The new tablets offer a range of other features designed to support the well-being and development of inmates. These include access to legal resources, educational materials, religious texts, and information about prison facilities and regulations. The DOC website, however, did not specify which education or religious materials would be included. The devices also provide entertainment options, such as games, music, and movies, albeit at additional costs.

Despite the benefits, the transition has not been without challenges. Some prisoners and their families have expressed concerns about the cost of the new devices and the changes in messaging services. The new tablets use the GettingOut service for emails, which has a character limit of 2,000 per message, a significant reduction from the previous limit of 13,000 characters. 

Tablets are available 24 hours a day, except during overnight hours and count times, and there are plans to allow limited use in restrictive housing units, where prisoners are typically sent for disciplinary reasons.