The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) has given each inmate a programming tablet. This initiative, reportedly undertaken at no cost to taxpayers, aims to improve communication with family and community supporters while expanding access to rehabilitation programs, treatment and reintegration resources. This launch represents a significant evolution of the DOC approach to inmate services.
The tablet program, first tested in 2019 through a partnership with ViaPath Technologies, initially focused on improving communications by providing messaging and phone services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for such technology grew as in-person visitation was paused, according to the DOC. By 2020, tablets were in full use in Delaware prisons, and in 2023 they were introduced in community correctional facilities, including wall-mounted devices for video visitation.
Until this year, inmates shared a limited number of tablets, limiting access to programs and educational content. Recognizing the need for broader access, the DOC worked with ViaPath Technologies to provide a one-to-one tablet-to-inmate ratio. Over the summer, engineers upgraded the facility's infrastructure to ensure the new system can operate effectively in environments with thick concrete walls and steel doors. To achieve this goal, more than 4,000 tablets have since been distributed.
Commissioner Terra Taylor emphasized the transformative impact of the tablets, citing their ability to connect inmates to on-demand learning, treatment resources and communication tools. “This initiative not only improves communication with families, but also promotes personal growth, reduces tension and improves safety in our facilities,” Taylor said. Free resources for education and career advancement are particularly popular. In October 2024 alone, inmates spent millions of minutes using these features.
The DOC plans to expand free virtual content and programming while maintaining affordability for inmates and families. Key features include a robust library app, career and life skills training, legal research tools, and faith-based resources. Communication services such as messaging, phone calls and video visits remain essential components, with inmates making over 12 million contacts with their loved ones last year, officials said. Tablets operate on a secure, monitored network to ensure security and regulatory compliance.