Show HN: Ameelio.org – Free Prison Communication Platform

Post by f-securus » Sat, May 02, 2020, 7:13 AM UTC

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

Post by kruzerkc » Sat, May 02, 2020, 7:44 AM UTC

f-securus wrote: post #81

jessehorne wrote: post #2

Lead developer here. Ameelio is a non-profit that's building free technology to transform corrections and criminal justice. We've recently launched Letters, our first application that lets loved-ones of incarcerated individuals send physical mail for free. Currently, the situation is that two corporations own communication throughout the prisons and jails in the U.S (Global Tel Link and Securus). They charge ridiculo…

The prices charged by Securus and other 3rd party services provided to jails are ridiculous and predatory. Competition would be great but I’m not sure they will allow it to happen without a fight. They make so much money and portions of that money are shared with the jails the pessimist in me doesn’t see there ever being a free option for instant communication. I appreciate the effort and I think this space has a lot…

Post by Infinitesimus » Sat, May 02, 2020, 10:54 AM UTC

aerostable_slug wrote: post #67

x86_64Ubuntu wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We don't need to restrict inmates free speech as conspiring to murder someone is already illegal.

You probably want to at least monitor their communications though; there is essentially no right to privacy for prisoners unless they are communicating with counsel. That means restricting the types of communication they can use (if only for practical reasons). I think most people would agree we all want to avoid scenarios like this: "Inside rolls of razor-wire fence, behind a network of heavy metal doors, locked alo…

Post by syshum » Sat, May 02, 2020, 12:19 PM UTC

gavinray wrote: post #39

grahamburger wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honest question, because I have no idea how this all works: if people can just send letters for the cost of a stamp then why do they use Global Tel Link or Securus? Really great thing you're doing here, I hope it all works out.

If you think the letter prices are bad, try: - $3.15/15 mins for a domestic phone call - $15/20 mins video call/teleconference if your jail/prison has them and you/someone else are willing to fork out that much (You may be there a while and so have to stretch whatever money you have left as far as possible) - I don't even want to know how much for an international call - $1 for a single pack of ramen - $5 for a 5oz b…

Post by garrettgrimsley » Sat, May 02, 2020, 12:27 PM UTC

aerostable_slug wrote: post #67

x86_64Ubuntu wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We don't need to restrict inmates free speech as conspiring to murder someone is already illegal.

You probably want to at least monitor their communications though; there is essentially no right to privacy for prisoners unless they are communicating with counsel. That means restricting the types of communication they can use (if only for practical reasons). I think most people would agree we all want to avoid scenarios like this: "Inside rolls of razor-wire fence, behind a network of heavy metal doors, locked alo…