System and method for controlling, monitoring and recording of wireless communications in penal institutions

A system for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• and
• an application that, when executed on the processor,
• receives a first transmission from a portable electronic device associated with a penal institution, the first transmission requesting a voice communication session with a first external telephone number,
• analyzes a first file describing authorized usage days and time periods for the portable electronic device,
• analyzes a second file containing a listing of at least one external telephone number approved to engage in voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device,
• determines, based on the analysis of the first file and the second file, that the portable electronic device is authorized for the requested voice communication session,
• originates a second transmission to the first external telephone number, and
• connects the first transmission with the second transmission,
• wherein the application monitors, records, and analyzes voice communication sessions engaged in by the portable electronic device, wherein the portable electronic device is in possession of a detainee of the penal institution, and wherein the portable electronic device originates transmissions solely to the application.

A method for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions, comprising:

• a computer receiving a first voice transmission from a first external telephone number requesting a voice communication session with a portable electronic device wherein the portable electronic device is in possession of a detainee of a penal facility;
• the computer analyzing a first file describing external telephone numbers and associated parties permitted to access telecommunications services associated with detainees of penal facilities;
• the computer analyzing a second file listing a plurality of portable electronic devices associated with at least one penal facility that are permitted to engage in voice communication sessions with external telephone numbers;
• the computer analyzing a third file listing days of the week and times of day during which the first portable electronic device is permitted to engage in voice communication sessions with external telephone numbers;
• the computer determining, based on analysis of the first file, the second file, and the third file that the requested voice communication session is authorized;
• the computer initiating a second voice transmission with the portable electronic device and linking the first voice transmission with the second voice transmission;
• the computer monitoring, recording, and analyzing voice communication sessions engaged in by the portable electronic device;
• the computer receiving a third voice transmission from the portable electronic device requesting a voice communication session with the first external telephone number;
• the computer analyzing the first file further describing external telephone numbers and associated parties permitted to engage in voice communication sessions originated by detainees of penal facilities;
• the computer analyzing the second file and analyzing the third file;
• the computer determining, based on analysis of the first file, the second file, and the third file that the requested voice communication session is authorized;
• the computer initiating a fourth voice transmission with the first external telephone number and linking the first voice transmission with the second voice transmission;
• and
• the computer charging an account associated with the first portable electronic device for the voice communication session,
• wherein the computer analyzing the first file, the second file, and the third file further comprises the computer at least determining that the first external telephone number and associated parties are included in listings of external telephone numbers and associated parties authorized to engage in voice communication sessions with the portable electronic device, wherein the computer is a private branch exchange (PBX) and is situated one of at the penal facility and at a location other than the penal facility, wherein the computer does not manage wireless communications originated and received by employees of and visitors to the penal facility, and wherein the computer uses one of caller identification and examination of an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) to verify the first external telephone number.