Montgomery County gives inmates tablets in preparation for release

Robert Green (left) mastermind of incorporating technology in re-entry services for prison inmates.Credit: mymcmedia.org

Montgomery County Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has launched a new pilot program to improve the outcomes for formerly incarcerated residents reentering the community.

The pilot is being implemented at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility where 30 "Reentry Tablets" have been distributed to inmates. While tablet technology has already entered into correctional education classrooms, this first-of-a-kind pilot program supports a new foundation of contemporary corrections by bridging technology with reentry services and inmate programs.

The pilot is funded by the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention in Maryland with no cost to local tax-payers. 

People that are incarcerated have a wide range of individual reentry needs that present with an even broader complexity of varying length of time in custody, recidivism risks, and personal readiness for change. The tablets extend the service reach of reentry staff by providing important information, resources, and skill development modules directly to individual inmates. This increased access to services and information is a critical benefit as limited reentry staff resources cannot reach the full scope of needs and complexities of reentering inmates. 

"Montgomery County has placed a strong focus on successful community reentry," said Robert Green, Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation for Montgomery County. "In fact, we are a nationally-recognized model in this area. This innovative utilization of secure technology allows us to greatly expand the exposure the inmates have to much-needed reentry resources."

The pilot is being implemented using the highest security standards to ensure tablets are appropriately and safely used within the facility. The tablets are monitored 24 hours a day and staff have direct control and monitoring oversight of them. Inmates do not have open access to the outside community or internet through these tablets, and every function of the tablet is deliberate and connected to individual and group settings. 

The tablets are the first of a series of innovative projects being conducted by DOCR. Later this year, DOCR is also planning several projects with the County Innovation Program using new technologies via the County's Thingstitute initiative (www.thingstitute.com). Through these low- or no-cost pilots, DOCR is finding ways to increase efficiencies while improving outcomes for inmates returning home.

For more information about DOCR, visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cor/ or contact Kendra Jochum at Kendra.jochum@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Source: Montgomery County gives inmates tablets in preparation for release