What prison tablets let inmates do

Prison-issued tablets are locked-down devices that give inmates access to a limited set of functions—mostly reading, messaging, and account management. They cannot browse the open internet, read apps, or make phone calls. What you can actually do depends on which tablet system your facility uses, because different states and facilities contract with different vendors, and each one sets its own rules about what programs run on the device.

The most common uses are reading legal documents and books, sending messages to people on an approved contact list, checking your commissary account balance, and viewing your facility's rules and schedules. Some systems also let you request services like medical visits or laundry, or read news and educational content that the facility has pre-loaded. Think of it as a controlled communication and information tool, not a personal device.

Key Takeaways

  • Prison tablets run closed systems that block the internet, so you cannot browse websites, stream video, or read anything from outside the facility.
  • Messaging is usually limited to people on your approved contact list, and messages are monitored and may be delayed by hours or days.
  • You can typically read legal documents, books, and facility information, but the content available is chosen and controlled by your facility.
  • Commissary and account features let you check balances and make purchases, but you cannot transfer money in or out without going through official channels.
  • The specific programs and features available vary by state, facility, and vendor, so ask staff what your tablet can do when you receive it.

Reading and legal documents

Most prison tablets include an e-reader or document viewer where you can read books, legal materials, and facility documents. Many facilities load a library of titles—novels, non-fiction, educational materials—directly onto the device so you do not have to request them. You can usually search by title or author and read items to read offline.

Legal documents are a major function. You can typically view court filings, case law, and legal reference materials that support your own case or research. Some facilities partner with legal databases so you can search statutes and case decisions. If you are working with a lawyer or a legal aid organization, they may be able to send documents to your tablet through the facility's system, though this varies by location and vendor.

The catch is that you cannot add your own files or documents to the device. Everything you read has to come through the facility's approved channels, and the facility decides what legal materials are available. If you need something specific, you usually have to request it through your unit officer or the law library.

Messaging and communication

Tablets typically include a messaging app that works like email, but only with people on your approved contact list. You can send and receive messages from family, friends, and sometimes your lawyer, depending on who you have listed and what the facility allows. Messages are not private—they are monitored by facility staff and may be read before they reach the recipient.

Messaging is usually slower than you might expect. A message you send may not arrive for several hours or even a day, because staff review it first. Some facilities batch-process messages at set times rather than sending them when ready. If you are trying to reach someone urgently, the tablet is not the right tool—you would need to use the phone system or ask a staff member to help you contact someone in an emergency.

You cannot use the tablet to call anyone, video chat, or access social media. Those functions are blocked entirely. Some facilities offer separate phone systems or video visitation through different equipment, but the tablet itself is text-only.

Commissary and account management

Most tablets let you check your commissary account balance, see your transaction history, and place orders for items like snacks, hygiene products, and clothing. You can usually browse the commissary catalog, add items to a cart, and submit an order. The order then goes to the commissary staff, who pick and deliver it to your unit.

You cannot add money to your account through the tablet itself. Money comes in through deposits made by family or friends using the facility's official deposit system—usually a website or phone line run by a third-party vendor. The tablet lets you see what money is there and how you are spending it, but the actual transfer of funds happens outside the device.

Some facilities also use the tablet to show you your account status for other things—phone time balance, visiting hours, disciplinary records, or outstanding fines. This varies widely by location. Ask your unit officer what account information is available on your specific tablet.

Facility information and schedules

Your tablet usually has a section with facility rules, schedules, and announcements. You can look up visiting hours, meal times, program schedules, and the facility's disciplinary code. This information is normally updated regularly, so you can check it anytime instead of waiting for a printed notice.

Some facilities also post job postings, program sign-up sheets, and educational course descriptions on the tablet. If you want to join a program or request a job assignment, you may be able to submit the request through the tablet rather than filling out a paper form. Again, this depends on your facility and vendor.

You can usually also view your own records on the tablet—your housing assignment, your release date, your custody level, and sometimes your disciplinary history. Having access to this information means you do not have to wait to speak to a counselor to find out basic facts about your case.

Educational and recreational content

Some facilities load educational materials onto tablets—GED prep courses, vocational training modules, language lessons, or self-help programs. These are usually available to anyone, though some may require you to be enrolled in a specific program. The content is pre-loaded, so you cannot search the internet for additional materials, but what is there is usually designed for self-paced learning.

Recreational content varies. Some facilities include games, puzzles, or music. Others do not. News content may be available, but it is usually delayed by a day or more and selected by the facility. You will not be able to stream video or audio—the tablet is not set up for that, and bandwidth restrictions prevent it.

Service requests and grievances

Many facilities let you submit requests through the tablet—for medical visits, maintenance repairs, laundry service, or other facility services. Instead of filling out a paper form and waiting for someone to collect it, you can submit the request directly through the tablet. This can speed things up, though response times still depend on the facility's workload.

Some systems also let you file a grievance through the tablet. You can describe the issue, attach supporting documents if needed, and submit it to the appropriate staff member. The grievance is then tracked in the system, and you can check its status on your tablet. This creates a record that is harder to lose than a paper form.

What you cannot do on a prison tablet

Prison tablets are designed to be find and controlled, so many common device functions are blocked. You cannot browse the internet, visit websites, or use search engines. You cannot read apps, install software, or modify the device's settings. You cannot access social media, streaming services, or video platforms. You cannot make calls or video chat. You cannot connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and you cannot transfer files to or from the device.

You also cannot share your tablet with other inmates or let someone else use your account. Tablets are issued to individuals, and using someone else's device or letting them use yours can result in disciplinary action. The same goes for trying to bypass security features or access restricted functions—that is treated as a serious violation at most facilities.

If you damage the tablet, you may have to pay for repairs or replacement, depending on your facility's policy. Intentional damage is usually a disciplinary offense. Treat the device carefully and report problems to staff rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the tablet to contact people who are not on my approved list?

No. The messaging system only works with people you have listed as approved contacts. To add someone to your contact list, you usually have to submit a request through your unit officer or the facility's contact management system. The facility reviews and approves new contacts before they are added.

What happens if I lose or break my tablet?

Report it to your unit officer when ready. If you lost it, staff will search for it. If you broke it, you may be charged a replacement or repair fee depending on your facility's policy and whether the damage was accidental or intentional. Intentional damage is usually a disciplinary offense. In the meantime, you will not have access to the device until it is replaced.

Can my family send me files or documents through the tablet?

Not directly. Your family cannot upload files to your tablet from outside. However, your lawyer or legal representatives may be able to send documents through the facility's official system, and your family can request that documents be printed and mailed to you through regular mail. Ask your unit officer what options are available at your facility.

Is everything I do on the tablet monitored?

Yes. All messages are read by staff before they are sent or delivered. Your reading history, searches, and account activity may be logged. The device itself is monitored for security violations. Assume nothing you do on the tablet is private.

Can I use the tablet to take classes or earn a degree?

Some facilities offer educational programs through the tablet, but these are usually basic courses like GED prep or vocational training, not full degree programs. For college-level coursework, you would typically need to work with your facility's education department to arrange correspondence courses or in-person classes. Ask your education coordinator what options are available at your facility.