Dual mode transmission in a controlled environment

A method, performed by a monitoring server, for providing dual-mode transmission functionality within a controlled environment, comprising:

• receiving, from an outside device located outside of the controlled environment, a call request to conduct a call between the outside device and a dual-mode mobile device located within the controlled environment, wherein the call request includes an identifier of an inmate associated with the dual-mode mobile device;
• determining, based on a profile associated with the identifier and a rule associated with the controlled environment, whether to permit the call;
• based on the determining, establishing a first connection between the monitoring server and the dual-mode mobile device;
• transmitting, over the first connection, an authorization message to the mobile device authorizing the call, wherein the authorization message includes handoff instructions for handing off the call from the first connection to a second connection;
• establishing the call over the first connection between the dual-mode mobile device and the outside device;
• and
• based on the handoff instructions and the profile, performing a handoff of the call from the first connection to the second connection.

A monitoring server for providing dual-mode transmission functionality within a controlled environment, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
• receive, from an outside device located outside of the controlled environment, a call request to conduct a call between the outside device and a dual-mode mobile device located within the controlled environment, wherein the call request includes an identifier of an inmate associated with the dual-mode mobile device;
• determine, based on a profile associated with the identifier and a rule associated with the controlled environment, whether to permit the call;
• based on the determining, establish a first connection between the monitoring server and the dual-mode mobile device;
• transmit, over the first connection, an authorization message to the mobile device authorizing the call, wherein the authorization message includes handoff instructions for handing off the call from the first connection to a second connection;
• establish the call over the first connection between the dual-mode mobile device and the outside device;
• and
• based on the handoff instructions and the profile, perform a handoff of the call from the first connection to the second connection.

A dual-mode mobile device for operating within a controlled environment, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
• establish a first connection between a monitoring server and the dual-mode mobile device;
• receive, over the first connection, an authorization message authorizing a call between the dual-mode mobile device and an outside device that is located outside of the controlled environment, wherein the authorization message includes handoff instructions for handing off the call from the first connection to a second connection and a control message to enable a cellular capability of the dual-mode mobile device;
• enable, based on the control message, the cellular capability of the dual-mode mobile device;
• establish the call over the first connection between the dual-mode mobile device and the outside device;
• and
• based on the handoff instructions and the cellular capability, perform a handoff of the call from the first connection to the second connection.