SC Department of Corrections to test program allowing inmates to use tablets

SOUTH CAROLINA — South Carolina prison authorities are working to ease concerns about new technology being tested out for inmates.

The state's Department of Corrections has a pilot program for prisoners to use tablets.

The tablets contain books, games, music, and movies.

Inmates can also use them to contact their families, but they cannot access the Internet.

Critics worry that inmates will find a way around it and connect to mobile hotspots so they can get online.

The tablet company said it is not possible. The Director of the Department of Corrections Bryan Sterling said the tablets could help officers more than inmates.

"My big selling point is talking with jails about how much safer it made it for their staff. It's amazing," Sterling said.

Officials said 140 institutions across the country use the tablets.

Corrections officers said the tablets help make prisons safer because they prisoners engaged and relaxed.

"I think what they do more than anything else is they fight boredom that breeds hopelessness," former SCDC Director Jon Ozmint said.

Inmates will have to pay to use them, just like making a phone call and their use will be heavily monitored.

The department said it will not cost taxpayers a penny.

Last April, a seven hour riot at the Lee Correctional started over smuggled cell phones.

Officials reported seven inmates died and 22 were hurt.

Inmates lived streamed the fight from a phone.

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