Portable system for institutional telephone service provision

A method for providing monitored call and network resource access to tablets used by residents in a controlled access residential institution, the method comprising:

• configuring a portable device at a location remote from a controlled access residential institution, wherein the preconfigured portable device comprises;
• a connection component configured to wirelessly connect to tablets;
• a network router prewired to the connection component and configured to connect to a remote network;
• an access and security component prewired to the network router and configured to control access to services via the remote network by accessing a remote processing center, the remote processing center:
• connecting and monitoring calls between tablets at the controlled access residential institution and telephones at remote locations;
• and
• controlling access by the tablets to resources on the remote network, wherein access to the resources provides additional functionality and features on the tablets beyond functionality and features available through use of an analog telephone handset;
• and
• a portable enclosure enclosing the connection component, the network router, and the access and security component as a single unit for installation at the controlled access residential institution, wherein the portable enclosure is pre-wired prior to installation at the controlled access residential institution for installation without hard-wiring, wherein the pre-wired connections establish information or power channels between the connection component, the network router, and the access and security component prior to installation;
• and
• installing the portable device at the controlled access residential institution to allow the tablets at the controlled access residential institution to access the remote network.