Tidal Wave Telecom, a provider of solutions which deliver secured video relay for deaf inmates in prisons and jails, announced that TTY terminals in correctional facilities no longer meet compliance requirements for deaf inmates and must be replaced. Recent lawsuit settlements involving prisons and jails, which reportedly did not provide video relay to their inmates, have ranged between $250,000 up to $750,000. The compliance requirements are clearly mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Rehabilitation Act (NRA), and the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

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TTY (refers to any type of text terminal or text telephone), previously the legally accepted standard for the communication needs of deaf inmates, reportedly increases a prison or jail’s legal risk exponentially. TTY has been replaced by a newer video-based technology called Video Relay, more commonly known as “VRS,” that seamlessly relays a video call between a deaf individual and a hearing person via a sign language interpreter, according to the company. Tidal Wave Telecom is reportedly the only provider of solutions which deliver secured video relay.

While implementing residential video relay for deaf inmates in prisons or jails meets the ADA’s requirements, it also introduces significant security threats to the facility, says Tidal Wave Telecom, and residential video relay for a deaf inmate is the equivalent of providing a smartphone to a hearing inmate.  Tidal Wave Telecom’s solutions provide prisons and jails with secured video relay and the following benefits:

  • Closes security holes.
  • Provides managed access.
  • Records video calls.
  • Meets the requirements of the ADA, NRA and PREA.

Source: Tidal Wave Telecom

Image: Tidal Wave Telecom