DeSoto County Jail Inmate Tablet Rental

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DeSoto County Jail

Address:
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, FL 34265

Phone:

863-993-4710

Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in the DeSoto County Jail

Renting a Tablet for DeSoto County Jail Inmates

DeSoto County Jail provides tablets for inmates to use for phone and visitation communication, as well as for sending and receiving electronic messaging.

The tablets are provided by HomeWAV.

The tablets are not connected directly to the internet, but instead to a server controlled by the DeSoto County Jail.  This allows all communication between inmates and their contacts to monitored during calls and visits, as well as delays while written communication is reviewed.

Please note that while the jail may provide the tablet for free, there will be a cost for ongoing use of it for entertainment and educational purposes.

Scroll down for a complete section outlining Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding renting tablets for DeSoto County Jail Inmates.

DeSoto County Jail Provides Homewav Tablets for Inmate Use & Rental

DeSoto County Jail now offers Homewav ComPAS™ (Portable Access System) tablets to their inmates.


 
Homewav is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for the following activities:

  • Phone Calls - Inmates may make calls directly from their tablet allowing for more privacy. The rates are the same as the phones in the unit, and the calls are still recorded and monitored.
  • eMessaging - Communicate via a text based message or picture. Fee based system.
  • Video Messages and Video Calls - Send and receive video messages and have video visits and calls with inmate.
  • Job Search - Inmates have the ability to see what jobs are available when they are released.
  • Education - Free educational platform and course catalog that provides thousands of educational resources, including GED courses.
  • Self Help -Inmates have daily access to mental health and addiction recovery programming.
  • Music - Top-40, Hip-Hop, Country, Rock, Gospel, and more.
  • Law Library -  Legal research with up-to-date case information.
  • eBooks - Thousands of available titles.
  • Religion - Religious resources for spiritual guidance.
  • Games - Inmates can play their favorite games. Available through monthly subscriptions
  • Facility Services - Digital access to submitted forms, requests, facility documents, and notifications from staff.

Here's how it works:

  • Register here
  • You get charged a full month even if it's only used for a partial month.
  • No activation or early termination fees.
  • Your inmate will recieve their tablet in 3-5 business days after you pay.

Questions:

Rent a Tablet for an Inmate in the DeSoto County Jail

Does DeSoto County Jail have tablets for the inmates to use?

You can find information about the DeSoto County Jail’s tablet program at the top of this page. If there is no information about it, it is because they either have recently changed companies or are not yet providing this service for inmates. Call 863-993-4710 to confirm.

What can the inmates use the tablets for?

Inmates in jails and prisons are using tablets for all the communication services available such as video visitation, video phone calls, regular phone calls, and electronic messaging – which is like texting and email.

Tablets are also used for entertainment, such as watching movies, television shows, listening to music and reading e-books. It is also used for education, self-help information, and legal research.

Are the jail’s tablets connected to the internet?

No, they are not connected to the internet. All the messages, visits and programming goes through a system controlled by the company that provides the tablets, and through the jail. They control what each inmate sees. All messages are carefully screened and not delivered if the sender or the inmate violates jail policy.

How much do the tablets cost to use?

For accessing visits and messages, the tablets are free to us. Each unit has many of them, all provided by the company that has contracted with the jail. Of course, the video visits and messages have a fee and those are paid for by the inmate’s family and friends who use the service.

If inmates are supposedly being punished, why do they get access to tablets?

That’s the question a lot of people ask and don’t fully understand.

The way the jail staff looks at it, is that if they can keep the inmates busy and distracted, it makes it safer for them. 

Tablets also give them a certain power over controller an inmate’s behavior. For example, if an inmate knows that they will lose the privilege of having access to a tablet if they get into a fight or violate another rule or policy, they will be better behaved. 

Tablets are one of the few things that make an inmate feel as though they are free, and they don’t want to lose the privilege of having access to one.

What companies have tablets for jail and inmate use?

CIDNET
City Tele Coin
Gettingout
GTL
Homewav
IC Solutions
Inmate Sales
JailATM
J Pay
NCIC
Oasis
Paytel
Reliance
Securus
Smart Communications

What if an inmate breaks a tablet, do they have to pay for it?

Yes, if an inmate breaks a tablet, then they are responsible for paying for it. The money will come out of their commissary funds, so not only do they lose access to having a tablet as punishment, but they also won’t be able to purchase snacks on commissary.
 

DeSoto County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The DeSoto County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature.

Envelopes
The DeSoto County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
DeSoto County Jail-FL
Facility ID Number: 5050
P.O. Box 18247
Greensboro, NC 27419



Legal Mail

Send all legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
DeSoto County Jail
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, Fl. 34266



Newspapers
Local or national newspapers may also be mailed to the inmate as long as they are mailed directly from the newspaper publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The DeSoto County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as AmazonBarnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address below.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the DeSoto County Jail standards will be disposed of. No more than three books may be shipped at any one time.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.


All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
DeSoto County Jail
208 East Cypress Street
Arcadia, Fl. 34266


 

Friends and Family can use HomeWAV for messaging with inmates at the DeSoto County Jail


How does HomeWAV messaging system work?

1. Sign Up.
2. Complete both steps of the registration process
3. Add ‘Talk to me Funds’ to your account using your credit or debit card.
4. Start messaging.

Go the the Solutions Page for full video tutorials and answers to your questions.


 

DeSoto County Jail now offers Homewav ComPAS™ (Portable Access System) tablets to their inmates.


 
Homewav is the same company that handles the inmate phone system, video visitations, email and texting and digital letters.

The tablets can be rented on a monthly basis and while not directly connected to the internet, the inmates can use them for phone, visits, messages, education, self-help and entertainment.

Questions:

To learn more about Homewav tablets, the dozens of features, cost and how to get one delivered to your inmate, check out our Inmate Tablet page.


 

How Do Inmates in DeSoto County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in DeSoto County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

  • DeSoto County Jail uses the services of HOMEWAV.
  • Register with them online or call them at 844-394-6639
  • Agents are available from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CST, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and speak both English & Spanish.
  • Services for DeSoto County inmates and their families and friends include Collect Calling, PIN Debits or Purchasing Calling Cards.

For all the information regarding phone calls with DeSoto County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, video, messaging, time limits and more, visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Visit or Email an Inmate in DeSoto County Florida or visiting an inmate at the jail

To visit or email an inmate in DeSoto County follow these steps:

  • In addition to visiting inmates at the jail, DeSoto County Jail uses a video visitation service called HomeWav.
  • Register and Sign Up Here.
  • Complete all steps of the registration process to get full access to DeSoto County Jail inmate communication services.
  • Add ‘Talk to me Funds’ to your account using your credit or debit card.
  • Then you just wait for your DeSoto County inmate to communicate.
    How do you add Funds to your account?
  • Once you are logged in, click “Add Talk to Me Funds".
  • Type in the amount of dollars you want to add to your account.
  • Click “Update”.
  • Choose a way to pay (Credit, debit, or prepaid card).

Who do you contact if you are having any problems arranging the remote video visit, phoning or emailing of an inmate in DeSoto County?
Call HomeWav support at 314-764-2872, or toll free 844-394-6639.
Monday – Friday 
9:00AM to 6:00PM EST
Saturday – Sunday 
8:00AM to 6:00PM EST

NOTE: All communications between you and your inmate at DeSoto County Jail will be recorded and stored. Do not discuss your inmate's case or other sensitive information as it can be used against them (or you) in court.

For full instructions on all the benefits of using Homewav to visit a DeSoto County inmate, visiting an inmate at the jail itself, email and texting an inmate, rates, policies, rules, dress codes, bringing children, attorney and clergy visits and more, go to our official Visit Inmate Page. 


 

How Do Inmates in DeSoto County Jail Make Phone Calls?

To receive phone calls from inmates in DeSoto County, or to assist them in making phone calls to other people, follow these steps:

For all the information regarding phone calls with DeSoto County inmates; rules, policies, phone calling times, costs, limits, tablet rental and more visit our Inmate Phone Page.


 

How to Deposit Money Online for an Inmate's Commissary Account in DeSoto County

To deposit money in an DeSoto County Jail inmate's commissary account follow these instructions:

  • Start here and click ‘DEPOSIT MONEY’ in CommissaryDeposit.com
  • Choose Florida
  • Choose DeSoto County Jail
  • View the date your order will be delivered, then click ‘NEXT’.
  • Search for, then Select your inmate.
  • Choose the amount to send.
  • Register, and Pay for the deposit transaction

Note: You will be charged a fee to send money to your DeSoto County inmate. In addition, there is a maximum amount you can send. 

Contact Information
Customer Support page.
Customer Support phone:   912-584-6102
Email - [email protected]
Customer Support Hours - Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST

For complete information on fees, products, policies, deadlines, rules, minimum and maximum deposits and all the information you need to know regarding depositing money for your inmate in DeSoto County, go to our Send Money Page for details.


 

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