TABLETS E-310 08-13-21 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08-15-19 REVISED:
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: Fresno County Administrative Officer's Management Directives, Section
110.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for use, management, and security of
computer tablets issued to inmates.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division to issue computer tablets
containing an educational platform to specific, pre-determined housing units. Inmate
access to these tablets is a privilege and may be temporarily or permanently restricted,
limited, or revoked when necessary for security purposes and/or in the best interest of the
facility.
The Inmate Services Director or Offender Programs Manager will decide an appropriate
access schedule for each respective housing unit and/or inmate, and access will occur after
each inmate establishes his/her own password which allows the inmate the ability to self-
direct their own learning directives.
The tablets are designed to operate without needing regular staff assistance. Staff
assigned to the housing units where the tablets are assigned may assist, but are not
required to provide regular assistance to inmates on matters relating to the content,
connectivity, or accessibility to programs.
PROCEDURES:
I. OVERVIEW
A. In a dual effort to combat the adverse effects of isolation while also
increasing inmate access to educational resources, computer tablets will
be made available to inmates housed in administrative segregation
lockdown cells.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
1. All inmates assigned to administrative segregation lockdown housing
units will be allowed to participate in the tablet program on a voluntary
basis, unless an inmate is on administrative action, disciplinary status,
or has been previously found guilty of a rule violation for destruction or
misuse involving a tablet (32/Tablet Damage/Destruction).
2. Tablets are normally issued for a minimum of four(4) hours each day.
B. Inmates will be allowed to access a wide array of self-directed
educational modules based on the inmate's personal interest. Content
available includes, but is not limited to educational services such as GED
preparation, vocational training, health education, literacy courses,
college courses, and language resources. Services also include
motivational content, library services, cognitive behavioral therapy,
recreational content, counseling, and religious guidance.
II. ISSUANCE AND USE
A. Staff from the Offender Programs Unit (OPU) will issue and retrieve the
tablets on a daily basis, according to schedule. The designated staff
member will be responsible to:
1. Provide eligible inmates with an Edovo Education Tablet User
Agreement form ( !._ .) for signature prior to initial issue.
a. The signed form shall be retained in the OPU office for the
duration of the inmate's participation in the tablet program.
b. One complimentary set of earphones will be provided upon initial
issue.
2. Inspect each tablet prior to issue, ensuring that no damage or defect
exists and the tablet is in working order.
3. Ensure that the inmate immediately logs onto the system at the time
of issuance.
4. Assist the inmate with login and password help, if needed.
5. Upon return, inspect each tablet, ensuring that no damage exists and
the tablet is in working order.
a. If tablet has damage/defect, notify Edovo for repair/replacement.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
b. Complete a rule violation and/or incident report, as applicable.
6. Recharge the tablets after collection.
B. Tablets may only be used inside the cell (or dayroom, if accessible). The
tablets are not to be removed from the housing unit.
1. Inmates are required to surrender the tablet to a floor officer anytime
they leave their housing unit for an appointment or activity (e.g.,
visiting, court, medical, recreation, etc.). The receiving officer will be
responsible to store the tablet in the security station for safekeeping.
2. A floor officer will return the tablet to the inmate when the inmate
returns to the housing unit (unless the tablets have already been
retrieved by OPU staff).
III. FORM AVAILABILITY
A. The following forms are available for completion and distribution via the
tablets:
1. Inmate Request Form (J-146)
2. Health Services Request Form
3. Religious Diet Program Request (J-192)
4. Privileged Communications form (J-177)
5. Inmate Grievance Form (J-105A)
6. Inmate Grievance Appeal Form (J-105B)
7. PC 1381 Form (J-82)
B. Upon completion and submission, each form will be automatically routed
to the appropriate personnel for response. Staff can view the forms
available for review by logging into the Insight program. Officers assigned
to the housing floor are expected to review the "Forms Review Queue"
folder for new submissions on an hourly basis. Requests that can be
answered by reviewing staff are to be promptly answered. Any request
that cannot be answered by reviewing staff shall be reassigned to
appropriate staff.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
1. Inmate Request Forms will be assigned to the respondent group that
is responsible for handling the particular subject matter (e.g.,
reasonable accommodation requests will be routed to the ADA
Coordinator, maintenance requests will be routed to the housing
officers, etc.).
2. All Inmate Grievance Forms (with the exception of health-related
grievances) will initially be routed to the housing officers. The
receiving officer has the opportunity to resolve the grievance or
"reassign" it to the Grievance Coordinator. The Grievance
Coordinator will forward (reassign) the grievance to the appropriate
Lieutenant or manager/supervisor for assignment and investigation.
3. If a response will require an attachment, the request should be printed
and returned with the appropriate document attached. Requests for
printed "certificates of completion"should be forwarded/reassigned to
Offender Programs.
C. Inmates who do not have access to a tablet (e.g., inmates on discipline
status or administrative action), or those who elect not to use one, will be
required to submit handwritten requests and grievances utilizing paper
forms.
1. The housing officers are responsible to ensure that a sufficient supply
of required forms is available at the beginning of each shift. Officers
shall make the forms available to inmates, upon request.
2. The Facility Sergeant shall be notified and responsible to replenish
any depleted supplies.
IV. JAIL RESOURCE MATERIALS
In addition to the availability of Jail forms, the tablets also contain general
information, such as schedules, handbooks, and required postings. Available
resources include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Inmate Notice
2. Sexual Assault/PREA reporting
3. Visitation schedule
4. Recreation (gym/yard) schedule
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
5. Laundry schedule
6. Commissary schedule
7. Pregnancy Services pamphlet
8. Inmate Orientation Handbook
9. Penal Code 4023.6—The Right to Summon and Receive Services of
Physician
10. Penal Code 4028 — The Right to Abortion
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: INMATE-ISSUED TABLETS NO: E-310
FILE: TABLETS
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