California death row inmates are reportedly using taxpayer-funded tablets for activities like watching pornography and engaging in explicit conversations. This comes as the state attempts to adopt a Norwegian-inspired strategy aimed at rehabilitating offenders.
The state has rolled out approximately 90,000 tablets, part of a multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at helping inmates communicate with their families and promoting digital equity. These devices, while intended for educational use, have seen some inmates diverting their activities to more adult content, as noted by the California Post.
Some inmates shared that they could navigate around the tablets’ security features. For instance, serial rapist Robert Morley, who has a history of horrific crimes from the 1980s, admitted to using his taxpayer-funded tablet to watch pornography. He mentioned that inmates at a facility in Stockton were sharing nude images and utilizing video chat applications to view adult content through televisions belonging to people outside.
Morley recounted a specific incident where he received a topless photo from a young German psychology student, who claimed it was part of a class project. He also disclosed that he had been “cheating” with her for some time. Another inmate, Samuel Amador, confirmed that short pornographic clips were routinely shared, and he enjoyed them while also watching family videos.
Nathaniel Ray Diaz, a convicted child sex offender, was accused of using his tablet to send threatening messages and explicit photos to a young girl. Meanwhile, Jamar Tucker, serving time for multiple murders, revealed that he received explicit videos through the tablet, claiming he enjoyed watching them despite existing restrictions against such content.
While the tablets are free to inmates, using them incurs costs—5 cents per text message and 16 cents for video calls, as per the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Democratic Senator Josh Becker has voiced concerns about these charges, calling them unfair in a world where communication has become more accessible.
Eckenrod, a former deputy director for California Adult Parole Operations, expressed concern over how the tablet program could allow inmates to groom potential victims from afar. Meanwhile, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation defended the program, stating these tablets primarily serve as educational tools that provide access to various resources intended to help reduce crime.
California recently signed a potentially $315 million contract with Securus Technologies for these tablets. The core agreement is for $189 million over six years. Yet, complaints have surfaced regarding the high costs imposed on inmates for messaging services.
As California moves towards the “California Model,” a rehabilitation-focused approach inspired by Norway, officials aim to enhance the well-being of inmates and reduce recidivism. However, it’s a complex and controversial transition, raising questions about the implications for victims and society at large.
In March 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom paused all executions in the state, closing the death chamber at San Quentin, marking an ongoing shift in California’s approach to justice and rehabilitation.
